The New York herald., 1869-08-28
Heavy storm in Illinois.

From the Aurora (Il.) Herald, August 24l
one of the most severe storms OF rain and lightning
that has visited Aurora during this season burst
upon the city, the water falling In torrents for about
day morning there was succession or brief storms
The amount of rain that fell was extraordinary ana
many streets turned into miniature rivers the
soil being heavily washed by the hoods. At the 1901
OF the hill Main street several loads OF gravel
were washed down to the Aurora House, in,the cel.
lars OF which water collected 10 the depth OF nearly
eleven inches Wherever roof had been unwt
tingly left exposed, or the sun had shrunken the
shingles, there the water came sweeping through.
The lightning was VIVID aud almost constant duiln2
the frst shower, but the thunder was not unusually
loud
The lightning appears to have expended its fury
outside OF the city, az we learn OF Its having done
little damage. A wagon and carriage barn owned by
John Van Sckles about three miles northwest OF this
place. was badly shattered by the nuid.
Near Bristol Station, writes friend, the Dne resi-.
dence OF Livingston O'Brien was struck and almost
literally torn in pieces. On the building was light
ming rod OF Chicago manufacture, made OF copper,
Which proved Intellectual bursting In many places.
and causing the electricity to enter the house through
the walls Of the parlor, which was tightly closed;
way through the front Of the house. where 1t ran
along the eayetrough, down the pillar, and into
the earth: The other current II, iorcea if its way way
running complete circle Passing out through
the rear part Of the kitchen, 1t shattered the
cornces and the corner where 1t entered the
earth tearing up the sod In frightful manner. 1t
was a miracle that none Of the inmates were in-
ho0r and when the curren{ clrcled the room where
they lay they were thrown Up two feet from their
BEDS, but they were lying on feathers and escaped
unhurt. The damages sustained by the premises IS
estimated al about 500. TOO great care can hardly
be expended IN avoiding spurious copper rods:
was vexatiously Hooded.
Lightning also struck the following buildlngs:-A
barn belonging to Frank HILL in Sugar Grove, which,
with small stock OF grain, was consumed; insured.
The house OF Mr.. Barclay, about one and half mile
west OF Aurora on the gravel road was struck in the
Mr. Hints barn. 81 SOUTHWEST Of st. onarles, Wss
burned by lightning; damages not stated. Also
barn northwest side Of Batavia had one side torn
oil. Another barn was struck near ShannOn's
quarry
hear OF no loss of life by the storm.
Devastating Food Near Watcrville-The
Railroad Track Undermined-SOO Pic.
nicikers ut Putnnm Hall.
WArERvILLE, August 26, 1859.
About three O'Clock yesterday cloud came driv.
ing up from the northeast and another from the
northwest, eliminating at our village, producing
wind, rafting thunder and torrents Of water. The
Palmer cuvert, ilrst above the station on the track
became choked and damned, the water, which
found Its way outside of the stone work, washing
away the road bed about thirty feet, which let the
food through briskly, causing food at the first
bridge, where Frye Church had four feet
Of water in his basement. Below that bridge
OF Messrs. Westc0tt Il Son, and washing
away lumber and thousand and one things down
to the dam Of o. c. Harris where his and others
had lively work in clearing passage for the flood,
which poured over The bank ana around the south
side OF his shop, and rushed down TO the premises 0G
Messrs Buell. 4 Sons. Here 1t spread out and filled
up, sweeping OF lumbar, Stacking the lime and
rylng sand ana dirt into their yats causing damage
TO the amount OF $780, Fortunately lam occurred
at the bridge next below on Mil street: DR.. Waldo
lucky In having his wall SO far laid up as to be
and surged roared and splashsd on their way to the
millpond below. union picnic OF several sunday
schools from points south on the railroad OF over 800
who were assured by Vice President Goodwin not to
be alarmed about their getting h0me for he had
to President Lawrence for men and materials TO
the Rubcon and take the jolly load back easily as
possible. The promised help came with the genial,
efficient President about ten O'Clock the evening"
and the train OF oil the coaches belonging 10 the
road started between eleven and twelve which ended
the days excitement.