Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-06-08
Terrible Hail Storm in Wheeling.

Terrible Hail Storm In Wheeling.
The Wheeling Register of the 10Th ult.,
gives long account of terrible hail storm
which passed over that city Friday 18th ult.
Weihave room only for the following extracts
About three O'clock yesterday afternoon
heavy bank of clouds was observed approach
ing the city from the Northwest. For few
moments before thc clouds burst, a dead calm
prevailed, and people were gasping for want
OF air, and the hush III nature was almost
solemn. Preceding the storm cloud and hung
out before it like curtain, was thin gauze-
like mist that seemed to be above the hill tops,
but fell as it reached the river; Asst came
down most terrific storm of wind and rain
burst upon the city
In an almost iucredibje short space of time
the streets were all afoat. roarlng and raging
like cataracts, covering the payements and
filling the cellars.
1t had been raining but few moments
when the hail came down. At first in par
ticIes as big as pistol balls. gradually increas>
ing 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 every where in tho
central portion of the city. These great Jumps
of ice as big as mans fist would strike a
window and shiver every pane of glass in it.
All the windows on the south and east side
Of the streets in that portion of Wheeling
between the suspension bridge and the creek
are broken, and,in Nerth Wheeling all on both
sides of the streets.
The city was filled with rumors of persons
having lost their lives or broken their limbs.
The scene on the streets was one of wild
confusion. Horses left without drivers, ran
madly about, breaking wagons and buggies
and scattering their contents in every direction.
| On Market street, in front Of DR.. Wingerter )
the hail was piled up as high as the fence
| In front of the Second Ward Market House
| it was piled up two feet six inches high in
the middle of. the street, stopping the passage
of the street oars completely On Main street,
between Monroe and Quincy, it lay over the
entire surface of the street to a depth of
perhaps two feet. Trees were denuded OF
their branches and were broken off or torn up
| by the roots and the pavements were green
with their foliage.
There was very little hail over Wheeling
creek, and none at all in Richietown, nor did
the rain reach Benwood in any force.
| Nothing equaling this storm has ever be-
fore visited this section of country, and we
believe, when all the damage done is known,
it will be found to excel in destructiveness
any hail storm known on the continent We
estimate the loss in the city at $50, 000-
When the loss to vineyards, gardening,
orchards and farms is added to this, we shall
not be astonished if the fguresreach 500, 900.
Just about dark last night the windows of
cd md Fnrrt ta
time the streets were flooded and cellars filed
with water. Our people will have to take
marine insurance policies if this sort of thing
continues.
The Register of the 31st ult., says On
Main street great piles of hail still remain
Commissioner Clark, with large force of men,
was hard at work Saturday getting the city
cleaned up, removing the soil that washed
down from the hills. and removing the lum>
Der, logs and other Instructions from the
streets. .I
The storm 10 great violence reached West
Alexandria and West Liberty. In its course
to West Liberty it passed over the splendid
farms of DIR. Campbell Alex Jacob, the
Kellys, Hill, and others. cutting off the wheat
and other grains. breaking and tearing down
the fruit trees and ling the spring lambs
West Liberty is in ruins. In fact wherever
the storm passed lis course is marked with
ruined farms, orchards, vineyards and gar
dens. The destruction of stock will be i'm
mense. lire