The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-08-17
From Rockbridse Alum Springs.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING PHANTOM BALL-CAR-
HIyAL-WHo ARE HERE, &C.
Especial Correspondence OF the Dispatch.l
RocKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS,
August IA, 1874. :
This afternoon during severe thunder.
storm, which was accompanied by heavy
fall of rain and great deal of hail,
two-story brick building on the lower
portion of the lawn in front Of the hotel,
known as the "Gothic Building" was
struck by lightning. rhe lightning seems
to have entered the rear portion OF the build
ing, in a room which is occupied by the family
of Or. j. S. Davis, Of the University, the
popular resident physician. and tore off one
end of bureau, breaking it in
small pieces, several of them being
driven into the walls; the looking
glass was also broken. The rest Of the tur-
nisure in the room was not Injured. Mrs.
DR.. Davis was in an adjoining room, and
with her were gathered all of the children
who roomed in the building. They felt the
shock very distinctly. None Of them, very
fortunately, we're hurt. One of the children,
q little girl, was thrown into commissions,
caused by fright, but she soon recovered. A
negro man who waits in the building had
ILLS face slightly Sc0rcneQ.
We all feel thankful to Him who rules as
well as rides the storm that no lives were
lost. The news of the accident soon began
to be bnown, and created some little excite
ment, many going to see the extent OF the
damage caused by the stroke of lightning.
The Old Alum now is very gsy-much
more so than we have known it 10 be since
last season.
One thing we can say, that there are more
real pretty girls here at this time than there
bave been for several years. They come
from the North, South, East, aud West; but
III all candor we say that the dear Old North
State bears of the palm IN the presence Of
one of the prettiest, as well as the most in.
tellisent and charming of her daughtcrs-a
beautiful blonde who, by her winning
ways, has made her quite fayorite. The
beauX are rather scarce. and ne wish you
could induce some to come up from your
city.
On Monday night next we are going tc
have phantom ball, which promises to be
grand affair, from the extensive prepare
tous which are being made; and from the
number OF costumes, the phantom ball is t
be one of the most enjoyable things OF the
season.
The latter part of the month our enter
prisipg proprietor is going to get up another
carnival, which is to excel the one that wa:
given here last season.
We have now over three hundred visitors
and new arrivals add to this number daily
We notice among the ladies here Miss Baker
of Norfolk, Miss Mayes Of Tennessee, Mrs
S. 3. Paul and Miss Fannie Paul Of Peters
burg, Miss Taylor Of Norfolk, Miss Adele
Talbot of Richmond, Misses Zeigler and
Reiman of Baltimore, Miss George Estes and
Mrs. Orsley of Augusta, Ga, Miss Bette
EIlyson of Richmond, Miss Harris OF
St,unton, and host of others. Among the
gentlemen, we noticed Judge B. w. Lacy,
of New Kent; w. B. Brooks, s. NJ. Shoe
maker, (chief manager Of the southern dlv
sion of the Southern Express Company
Thomas P. Langdon and T. J. Taylor, Of
Baltimore; T. N. Jones, c. Z. Lathrop: Dr.
Robert G. CaDel, Jr.. OF Richmond; Il. Z
Branch and family. Of Augusta, Ga. :; ALFRED
L. Harris, of Richmond, and Others.