Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-15
STORM IN THE ROCKY FOUNTAINS
A TerribIe Hail storm.

Correspondence of the Topeka Commonwealth.
On the 9th of May party of forty, CON-
posed of New York bankers and million
aires from the mining regions Of Pennsyl-
vania, with their ladies, including four
Topekans (not millionaires), were travelling
on the narrow guage railroad, from Denver
south. The TOpekans were John Tuttle,
the tall plasterer; Sam. Wakely, also
plasterer; Charles Searcy, speculator and
painter, and the writer of this.
At Edgerton, eight miles north of Color
ado Springs, and sixty-eight miles south Of
Denver, the ties on the railroad track were
on fire, which necessitated a stOppage of
two hours to repair damage.
To the right Of the railroad, half mile
of, at the base of the mountain, could be
seen two or three monuments, that place
being the outer rim of the enchanted park.
A large number of the pass engers started
off to get a nearer view Of the scenery.
While the dark clouds began to gather,
which betokened a storm. Some Of the
men hurried back to the cars, but the To-
pekans, one Of the milliOnaires and tTav-
cling Jew, concluded to face the mRsic and
see what was to be seen. One Of the To-
pekans had got on the top Of one of the
lowest monuments, which was some twelve
feet high, and commenced making a speech
for Greeley, because, as he said, Grant
needed no help. He had but just COM
menced when he was struck on his
head by something which jammed in his
stOVe-pipe hat, and which at the time he
supposed to be a stone thrown at him by
enc of the boys. But they kept coming
Kicker and faster, and he was not long in
earning that he was in the midst of ter
rife hail storm. All huddled together Ut
der the leeWard side of the rocks, and dOdg-
ed the hail as best they could. Such a
scene is rarely witnessed, even III the Rocky
Mountains. The air was black, the thun-
der reverberated through the mountains,
and the lightning shot across the sky. Cat
tie came believing down from the plains on
the east to get the protection afforded by
the timber which skirted a little noun
tain stream. Here, under the rocks, the
party STAYED and did the best they could
for half an hour. We will not state the
size of the hail stones because they would
not be believed. Suffice it to say that after
pouring down for half an hour, the hail lay
all over the valley six inches deep, and af-
ter one hours hard and steady rain they
WCIG Sill buIGC lLLuCS uCCps we dlJCA-
forwards learned from reliable authority
that in a valley three miles east of US, a
space four rods wide for a long distance,
was covered four feet deep with hail
stones. Over l 900 sheep were killed, and
on the hides of the cattle on the plains
were cuts from which flowed streams OF
blood.
After the hail storm ceased, the rain COM
menced, and seeing no prospects of an early
stoppage, the party took bee line for a
comfortable booking white farm hOuse,a half
mile distant. Here they arrived, wet to
the skin, and were well cared for. A huge
fire was made in the old fashioned fire
place, by which they dried their cloth
ing. A cup of coffee. seasoned with rich
cream, tasted like nectar. Out of gratitude
for the kindness displayed, we viii give the
lady's name who lives on this farm or rancho,
as it is here called. Her name is Mrs. Teach
not, native of New York. She has q
large house, well furnished, and one can
stop here as long as they choose, and live
on the fat of the land, in close proximity TO
the grand scenery around the Colorado
Springs, for the modest sum of seven dol
lars per week. Were we to stop with our
family in the Rocky Mountains a week, a
month, or three months, we know of no
place we would sooner be than with Mrs
TeachnOt. We were informed by her that
this was the severest storm she had expert
enced in her four years residence in the
Rocky Mountains.