The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-05-29
THE HAIL STORM
The Most Terrific Storm
Ever Witnessed in the
Country.
Stones as Large as a Mans
Fist.
Damage to Property Esti-
mated at Thousands of
Dollars.

Dollars.
As ia usual in storms of the charac-
ter of the one which transpired in this
city and vicinity yesterday afternoon,
the day opened auspiciously, and the
rays of the sun were peculiarly hot
and sultry. About noon the heat was
at its greatest hight, and remained in
nearly the same condition till o'clock,
when a DARK and heavy cloud. ap-
pareptly a short distance above
the earth, overcast the sky. This
suspicious looking omen sudden
~ grew darker still, and the atmos-
phere became close and sitting. All at
once terrific blast of wind burst upon
us and swept everything before it. The
dust was 80 thick and binding that
nothing could be seen for few seconds,
but when the large and heavy drops OF
ra!hshad laid the drifting dirt, the scene
was one of terrible yet peculiar signif-
canoe. Not moment was allowed to
merchants for removing the goods
which were in front of their stores, or
the housekeepers for closing blinds,
doors or shutters, and these move
ables, together with roofs, tim
| bers, chimneys, etc., were flying In
every direction, as If an earthquake
had shaken the city from her founda~
ton. Horses attached to and discon
nected from their vehicles were madly
plunging through the thoroughfares,
Fl = h 10 To- In
nate pedestrians. These quickly found
shelter, as no sane person would long
defy the Almighty by remaining out
in such blast. Before the wind had
ceased, and it did not last but mo-
ment, the rain had changed to hail,
which ratified against the windows for
moment and then perforated the
glass as the Jumps Of CONCEALED
water grew In size. The sound
upon the pavements and the roofs
was like the rapid firing Of
musketry, and SO great was the force
ofthe stones that shutters were smash
ed and even the window sashes broken
and beaten to peices. Not only this
but the walls across the rooms from
the windows were indented and the
plastering in some cases, beaten Off to
the solid masonry.
SIZE OF TIE STONES.
When the storm was at its highest
fury, the hail stones were of the size of
mans clenched fist and solid as canis-
ter balls which they very much resem-
bled in appearance. They were in most
10000 paorlu wound hoInc, SIi0hflU flat
tened on two sides like an apple, with
small holes or indentations resembling
the place where the stem joins the core.
on one side.
In less time than it takes to write it,
the streets in the lower portion OF the
city or that part nearest the river were
covered to the depth ola foot with these
wonderful balls Of ice, and every win
dow facing the north, from which d.
rection the storm came, filled with bro
ken panes.
SCENES IN THE STREET.
In about twenty minutes it was
possible for man to venture
out without danger of having his
head broken and an opportunity
afforded for Witnessing the effects. The
rain was pouring down in torrents and
the streets seemed like huge cutters or
small rivers bearing away boxes aud
debris upon rapidly increasing cur
rents. Here and there large tree
came floating by with the stock in trade
of merchant mingled in its branches;
carts and wagons were clinging to the
lamp posts and convenient corners.
The depth of the hail and
water on Main street was over
three feet, and the heaps of ice in
places were nearly five feet high.
at the corner OF Quincy and Main
streets the current turned, and ran
toward the river, down Quincy street.
The sewers were OF great service, but
for some time the depth of the water
rendered it impossible to observe their
utility.
THE STORM ABATING.
In twenty minutes more the rain had
nearly ceased to fall, and the work OF
clearing away commenced. By the
time that the roads were passable the
sun was shining, and the air as warm
and pleasant as II the ground was Gov
cred with dust instead of heaped with
ice and hail. In half an hour more
the frozen particles were swept away
by the water and scarcely one could be
found. except in corners and cellars
where a Judgment had been made.
NARROW ESCAPES.
At Fulton the coal mine worked by
Mr.. Marshall, which is situated at the
foot of ravine, the torrent OF water
coming down the hill abeve carried
with it a shed, which lodged at the
mouth of the drift, and damned the
flood so that the volume of water and
debris was precipitated into the OPEN
ing. There were seven men engaged in
the mine at the time who were quickly
immersed in the flood. By retreating
to the highest part of the mine they
managed to keep above water till the
citizens who understood their danger.
GUS situation, turned out and tore
away the shed and other impedimentB
to the flow of the water, when they
were permitted to make their escape.
To understand the situation of the men,
it should be stated that the mine goes
straight into the mountain and the
mouth of it is but little lower than its
inner chambers.