The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-24
LONG BRANCH.
The Storm Of Thursday Night on the Sea and
CONSERVATION in the Hotels and Proba-
BILE Loss Of Fishing Boats Disappointment
of the Colored Men at the Failure of the
Grant Demonstration Close Of
the Racing Season-Two Bril-
liant Contests Expected
Next Thursday.

ing was one of the most that has visited the
Branch for years, though the amount OF property
destroyed has not been very great The intense
heat OF the day indicated that there was something
unusual with the atmosphere, the suffering guests
at the various hotels prOnouncing the heat to be
| something unprecedented in the history OF water
ing places The ladies, young and old, were clad
! in the thnnest OF dresses but the sun poured It's
| scOrching rays down upon their forms, and gauze
| was found to be NO protection against the burning
weather. the perspration penetrating through cor
set and muslin.
When the last train from New York had arrived
and deposited its crowd OF passengers, the unusual
appearance of the atmosphere attracted general
attention. The neecy clouds which had lowered
in the heavens during the day, were suddenly dis
appearing, and in their stead dark masses began
to fill the horizon. The bathers, who had been rev.
cling in the surf all through the afternoon became
alarmed and hurriedly emerged from the water,
chased by the rapidly rising waves The schooners
and pleasure boats which were near the land made
for the shore, and disembarked the groups of
frightened ladies', who could not be treasured by
the assertions OF the gentlemen that it was all
trihe, the appearance Of the gallants, who were
white and trembling, conveying far different i'm
preston.
For about half an hour after the first indications
OF the storm were visible the elements preserved
u
which came up from the sea, eXtinguishing the
| lights along the beach and in many of the hotels,
warned all that the god OF the winds an d waves
was abroad in all his majesty The roars Of the
waves became louder and louder and their crested
tops could be from the balconies OF the hotels
dashing In angry fury upon the shore.
the were bac o a IN a WYNN
sweeping along IN great gusts while the roar OF the
breakers could be heard for miles away Every
street light at the Branch had by this time become
eXtinguiShed, the few carriages which had been
caught in the storm dashing madly through the
darkness, the horses shaking and shvering with
| terror. What few pedestrians were out rapidly
got to o place OF shelter. everything that was
likely to be blown down was made as fast as pos.
| down.
! number of adventurous spirits at the West End
| would not 30 within doors, but sat under the
randa, though in danger OF being swept away, to
contemplate the war OF the elements. The ladies
rOr real or feigned, to the arms OF the gentlemen,
VINO, nothing oath assumed the responsibility their
The wind had all this time continued to rise, &C
companied by vivid flashes of lightning, which for
second lit up the sombre atmosphere, reveal
ing the tumultu0uS sea, upon which, far out, few
storm tossed schooncrs could be seen, bravely
battling against the binding hurricane. At times
be mOmentarily blinded by the briancy OF the
FASH while the terrified screams of the ladies would
tend to increase the general confusion. The
was heard, which shook the foundations Of
BEDS in the widest state of dishabile. There had
not up to this been drop OF rain, but a few
anda, and feeling of thankfulness sprang up that
the fury OF the storm was about to be stilleds and
what moderated. In short time the cooling ele-
| ment was pouring down In torrents, but without
much effect upon the wind which continued to rage
| with undated force and vehemence. Many OF the
| hotels were plunged in total darkness, and every
effort to keep the lights burning proved abortive,
the sudden squalls extinguishing them as fast as
| hey were lighted.
In the spacious parors of the West End the white
robed diviniics clustered more closely together,
ana number of the gentlemen took refuge In the
barr0Om, where they soon became Oblivious not
ony to s s Of a ee ES
live through such terrific gale, and that many Of
the fishing. boats, which were some miles from
land, must inevitably perish, and as very few have
come in this morning the inference s probably cor
rect Those who have reached land have done so
with sails out and rigging gone.
BY ten O'Clock the storm began to moderate, the
wind went down, and the flashes Of lightning be-
kept pouring steadily down having greatly lessened
the fury OF the hurricane and abated its power.
M or sae Ss 1e Of @
continued, varied with occasional peals Of thunder.
In many OF the hotels and cottages the more tinid
did not retire to rest but the sensible people did,
and, as the night was deliciously cool alter the
storm, slept sOundly.
This morning the sun rose bright and beautiful
the agitation OF the preceding night had been COM
pletey put to rest, and nature rarely presented
more beautiful appearance. As IL in mockery of the
storm the was without ripple, and the strand
| and lawns in front only looked all the more charm
ing and tie only evidence of the wind which could
be seen was In tho roads, which somewhat torn
up, and the bathing boxes which are greatly shat
tered. The damage to vessels at sea mas not been
so great as was at first supposed; the missing boats
are rapidly coming In with the loss OF most OF their
working gear.
The cOIored population are particularly vexed at
the storm. All preparations had been made for the
ovation to Massa Grant; platform had been
erected, eminent speakers secured, u brass band
had arrived from Philadelphia and jolly time was
anticipated, when the storm came on and COM
pletey spoiled the fun. The wrath of the walters
was great and nearly approached to pro-
ianity, while the colored girls who were
sashes, refused to be comf0rted. Garnet, of
Shiloh church and Cooper Institute lame, was
! promised Tor the occasion; a big talk was expected
| from Isaiah Weir of Philadelphia; Senator Wilson
was expected to give sage advice, and even from the
President something was expected, and though the
affair may eventually come Oh, the ardOr OF It's pro-
jectOrs has greatly cooled, and 1t Will probably end
| in @ izZe.
The closing days races Of the year will be held at
Monmouth Park on Thursday, the 29th, and John
| Chamberlain predicts the best sport and the most
! brilliant attendance of the season. The first race
will be contest OF four mile heats, for purse OF
| $1,000, presented by the hotels at the Branch;
] second horse to receive $500; third horse, $3.50.
The following are the entries :-Cofin's Moriacch
| McDaniels Abdel Koree, H. Sanlord's Monarchist,
| John Chamberlain's Wheatley, ID. $. Bannatynes
| Mesian, BabcOck's Doctor, MUOre's Foster and a.
WEIGHS Lyttleton.
| The second race will be grand three mile ma
tional steepechasc for purse OF 1000. 1he fol-
lowing famous horses ed:-Bhnd Tom,
| Lochie Duffy, Astronomer, Vesuvius, Impecunious,
Denis Burns, Asteroid and Tammany. Second
horse TO receive 5000; third $780, Two grand balls
are to be given the same evening at the West End
and Ocean Hotels, and splendid finish Will be
given to che racing season.
In view Of the forthcoming fan elections large
number OF prominent politicians departing for
their states leaving their wives behind them. The
crowd OF visitors IL as great ever, and Will prob
| ably continue so for q month to come.