The New York herald., 1869-05-31
THE HAIL STORM IN WEST VIRGINIA.
A Terrible Scene-HaIl Stones WeishinE
Thrce-QuRrters ef u POuBd-Severe Per-
sonal Injuries-(,rcat Destruction Of Pro-
perty-Incidents nnd Extent Of the Storm.


From the Wheeling Nv. Val Register. May 2s.l
About three O'Clock yesterday afternoon o heavy
bank OF clouds was observed approaching the city
from the northwest. For a few moments before the
clouds burst dead calm prevailed and people were
almost gasping for want OF air, and the hush in ma
ture almost solemn. Preceding the storm cloud
| and hung ont before 1t like curtain was a thin
gauze-ike mist that seemed to he above the hill tops
but fell as lt reached the river. As it came down
most terrific storm OF wind and rain busrt upon the
city.
In an almost incredible short space Of time the
streets were all aroat, roaring and ragiG like cata
racts covering the pavements and filing cellars
The rain fell so fast that it was almost nro ssibe TO
see across tine streets. Boards wagon bodies boxes
ladders, in fact everything that would ,loat was
carried on the waves OF turbulent waters through
streets.
IL had been raining but few moments when the
the hall came down; at first IN particles big
pistol balls, gradually increasing In size and power.
Some pieces fell, we are reliably informed that
weighed three-fourths OF pound, but the average
weight was three ounces
Windows were broken everywhere IN the central
portion OF the city. These great Jumps OF ice az big
az mans nst would strike window and shiver
every pane OF glass in it. The city looks as If it had
Just passed through siege. In fact there were not
as many broken windows In VicksburR after the
surrender as there were in Wheeling yesterday.
streets In that portion Of Wheeling between thf
suspension bridge and the creek are broken, and in
North wheeling all on both sides OF the streets.
The Grant House has every window broken on
Bridge street, and most OF those Main street. 10
will cost 81, 500 TO repair It and the damaged frni
ture.
The Mcclure House did not suffer so severely. II
lost lost sl7 lights, winch viii cost $500 TO replace.
amount Of $500 in damaged furniture.
The Island Foundry OF ID. Linn Co. had 1903
The Cathedral had stained glass broken to the
value OF perhaps $1,000.
The convent at Mount de Chantal suffers great
loss I'm broken windows The large window over
the altar IL ruined
The loss in windows broken by the hail and goods
damaged 10y the water overnowing the cellars VIII
reach $4,000 at least.
rhe top story of the west wall OF the First ward
schoOhouse was demolished. II fell inside taking
with II tne joists, tearing them out and breaking
them or, filling the cellar with debris. partition
wall is cracked from top to bottom with the violence
OF the gale. One OF the workmen on the wall
not hve minutes before 1t fell.
The sheet iron roofing Of the Baltimore and Ohio
Railroad freight house torn or If 1t had been
paper and was piled up on the other side OF the
street. One immense sheet OF the roofing was car
ried over to John Reid's brewery. South street.
house belonging to u Mr.. Robinson, on Market
street near the foot OF the hill, occupied by negro
families was partially demolished, the persons in
side having a narrow escape.
John Rall's house, on BedliOn's lane was blown
down. We have not heard whether any one was In
jured
ACCIDENTS
The city was nlled with rumors Of persons having
lost their lives or broken their limbs. We have
deavOred To 8 r. out the from the false and 10
give only what we believe to be reliable.
49, A Young man named Pre.tyman. living in East
Wheeling. while assisting his father to manage a
team OF horses rendered frantic by the pelting ha
was thrown from the wagon and had hls collar bone
and leg broken. The father was badly bruised and
cut about the head and face with the hail.
Fritz Yahrllng had his arm broken. He was In
buggy with another man, and the storm caugh them
Just as they reached tile residence OF William 9.
Goshorn, in North Wheeling. lahrling jumped from
vehicle and slipped. striking his arm upon the
curhsOne aud breaking II. His companion also fell
in getting out OF the buggy and skinned the side Of
house where they obtained refuge rom the storm,
but hardly was the door opened before the horse
he could get In the han but he couldn't get the bug
gy IN. and the young lady who opened the door, the
men being iii rear apartment having their wounds
fri anAI 1e I'm
the animal to think 10 cut the harness, so there he
stood in the hall during the storm. The door being
opened gave passage 10 the Hood, and consequently
the noors were deuged with water and the carpets
and furniture destroyed.
Robert sweeney was on the Island holding his
horse during the storm An immense ha,l stone
struck the horse and another struck Mr. Sweeney,
knocking them both down. The horse fell on him,
breaking his collar bone.
PAT Hefiley was thrown out OF his cart and very
severely injured.
little girl was washed into n cellar lust being
built on Main street. \ man named Marshall went
To her assistance. and the two had very narrow
Cuts and bruises on the head and face were fire.
quent One man put his hands up to protect his
head and The hail cut his hands 50 severely that he
cannot use them.
A nne and very valuable horse belonging to the
Top Mill was standing ut the min door with load
of nails on a dray when the storm came Rendered
frantic by the singing hail he rushed down the bank
10 the river aud was drowned.
The train on the Hempfeld Railroad which left
here al three O'Clock was stopped when near the
glass house. The storm rendering the railroad i'm
passabe. and The windows OF the cars were al
broken out by the hail.
on TUE STREETS.
The scene on the streets was one Of wild confusion.
Horses, left without drivers, ran madly about break
ing wagons ard buggies and scattering their con-
tents In everv direction. On Marker street I'm front
a. pr the the rons ns ne es up as ws ns
Market House u piled up two feet
six inches high in ibe middle Of the street,
stopping the passage of the street cars completely.
ON Main street. between Monroe and Quincy IL lay
over the entire surface OF the street 10 a depth OF
branches and broken on or torn up by the
roots, and the pavements were green with their
foliage
Gardens are ruined The falling hail cut or tender
plants and shrubs "a N done by knife.
The VINEYARDS abon, the city are stripped clean of
leaves and most Of the vines are broken down. The
hopes OF our grape growers were destroyed In Q sin
gle hour.
In the country adjacent the frui, trees are ruined
| on some Of them not a branch remains and others
are ltIng on the ground.
The operators IN the telegraph once were Obliged
to leave ths room The Iightnrpv conducted on the
wires. snot across the room tongues OF blue raIne
making II very shocking for any one TO stay there
long.
own rHE RIVER
The storm struck the river Iusi above Marinsyille
There ike destruction OF glass OF rut trees and
shrubbe ~ prevailed ~ here.
IN Bridgeport. TOO. there ls scarcely an unbroken
window pane. while gardens orchards and yney ards
are involved n,one general ruin.
gXrrST Of ray STORM
There was very little hail over Wheeling Greek and
none al all In Richie Town, nor did the rain reach
| BenwOOd ia anv force.
As nave said the course Of the storm was from
| the northwest. Reaching tnis cIfv ~ turned aud
went due east, covering strip perhaps mile and a
| half IN width.
| Nothing euuang this storm has ever before Wis
tied tins section OF country, and we believe. when
| al the damage done ~ known, II VIII he found to
| exec IN desiructiyeness any hail storm known ON
the continent. We estimate the loss IN the city al
4 s30.Vo1. When the loss to vineyards, gardening
orchards and farms is added 10 this we shall not be
| asionlshed N the figures reach 100000.
| Just about dark last night the windows OF heaven
| were opened again. and Tor the second time th,
streets we're flooded and cellars filled with water.
| O,TpAGrs ~ KtNsAs.-rhe Lawrence kansas
| TfiDude SAYS that recently two settlers on Coxie
| creek neutral lands, Kansas, were hanged by M,
| Icaguery another shot, aud several others warne,
! 10 leave Considerable numbers OF the settlers no
| In sympathy with The league. were going 10 Fort
| scott for protection. and others were leaving IN
state u rs said there are nearly 5000 well arne
| and organized men In hostility TO Mr. Jay. Protec
| ton " III soon he given 10 the railroad engineers
and the lawless men IN that region Will have to fec