The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1870-09-07
q Fearful Storm.

\ terrific and fatal storm OF thunder
lightning and rain, By which number
Of people we're killed and wounded, anc
property destroyed. occurred at King
Stnn, y. Y, on the 2Gth ult. The pyro
technic display was grand and thrilling
The lightning visited the earth in blind
ing sheets Of flame, and the peals ol
thunder shook the earth apparently 10
i,s foundations. The wonder is that
greater destruction did not eneue. The
terrible storm spent its fury about cir
Gus tent which was struck, and near
which several lives were lost
\ correspondent writing from King.
ston, gives the following particulars:
The attending circumstances were Of a
truly thrilling character. The sultry at
mo>phcre during the day was very op,
prcSsive, tho mercury in the thcrmomc-
ter marking ninc;y.two degrees in the
shade. The earth was dry and parched,
and the mir was tilcd with dense vel
umcs Of smoke from the burning woods
in the mountains; which hung over the
river Ike q pail, hiding the east shore
from view. For several days, this state
of affairs was observable, and all this
time, according to the theory Of learned
electricians, the air was being heartily
charged with electricity.
At noon, the smoke, for the first time
in 4 week, commenced to lift, and, in it.;
stead, lining the horizon at all points of
the compass, could be seen dark, muriiy
clouds and huge thunder heads rolling
togethcsand seemingly gathering strength
for one grand display Of power. As
night drew nigh, titful flashes Of light
ming cleaned athwart the sky, and the
deep mutterincS of thunder could be
heard in the distance. and, when dark.
ness cnSuel, the heavenly pyrotcchnic
display was grand beyond description.
For miles, the storm clouds hung over
the river, and tho lightning flashed in
ccSSantly.
Five were instantly killed by single
strokc-struck down with smiles and
jokes upon their lips. They were all
colorcd people.
All were talking together. Jane Mon.
tanye was leaning against the tree, with
her arms folded. lS,.pi"s 10 ti.- others F.;
she fell with her arms folded, and they
could hardly be pried apart. Elizabeth
Ncw<irk was laughing, and there was a
smile upon her lips when che was pick.
ed up. Arthur Scott had one arm par
tally raised, and after death it Was hard
work TO straighten it. And thus they
died.
1t is noteworthy fact that the bodies
Of the dead bore 10 marks Of violence
whatever; not particle Of evidence Is
observable in their appearance to snow
that they died other than natural deaths.
The flesh is nowhere burned, nor is the
hair scorchcd, a fact which excites gene
raj comment. The eyes Of one Of the
deceased remained wide open, present
ing a CHASTITY appearance. AS | close
my letter, there are reports of more
deaths, but they are not credited.
The lightning for two hours was fear.
fully grand in appearance. Jagged streaks
and flashes Of what is called "forked and
chain lightning" leaped from cloud to
cloud necessarily. Down the mountain
sides, through valleys ard across the
waters Of the Hudson, it burned its way,
and old people Gaiied to remember par
alIcl. At various points along the river,
dwellings, and barns were destroyed by
it. Near poughkccpsic two barns were
burned; near F'iShkill another; at FISH
kill Landing dwelling was struck twice,
but not consumed :; at East liaVerstTaw
a barn flied with hay was destroyed !;
and ut Milton another barn was burned.
Reports Of more disasters are expected,
therefore the damage cannot yet DC cstl-
mated.