Wilmington daily commercial., 1876-07-14
FOURTH EDITION.
Yesterday,s storm.

TWO CLOUDS MEET-HEAvY RA1N-TERRIF1c
THUNDER AND LIeHTNING-oNE MAN KILL
ED-oTHEBs STUNNED.
Though Wilmington has been visited with
several thunder storms during the week, it
was not until yesterday that the severe heat
eliminated in perfect deluge Of rain, ac-
companied by the most terrific thunder and
lightning.
The sky began to look hazy early in the
afternoon, and it was noticed that slight
shower wasifallIng from cloud in the East
about half past O'Clock. At the same time
dark cloud was gathering in the West,
and half hour later the two met |
seemingly right over the city, when the |
rain commenced pouring down in perfect |
torrents, until five o'clock. The rain was |
followed with flash after fash of vivid |
lightning, and peal after peal OF almost deaf |
ening thunder. To those fond Of behold |
ing the grandeur of thunder storm,
fitting opportunity was offered. Timid peo-
pie withdrew to their rooms, shutting doors
and windows, while others stood in the most
exposed places watching the chain and
forked lightnings circle and Hash around
church steeples fagstaffs and lightning
rods.
Soon the cutters, culverts, and runs were
| filled to overfowing and in Tatnall. Orange
Poplar, Pine, and many other streets Hood
of water extended from curb to curb The
following, as nearly as can be ascertained,
are the
DAMAGES BY WATER:
On Shipley Run, the embankment of
Monroe street above Eighth, is washed In
to great holes and CUTTERS The new un-
finished culvert on Adams street is consid-
erably damaged though the new walls
stood firm. The embankment at Seventh
street is also damaged. At Fourth street
the flood had accumulated 80 much force
that one OF the abutments of the
culvert was undermined and washed away,
taking with it large portion OF the pave
ment. The Monroe street spring above
Seventh, was completely inundated, and
hundreds unable to get their usual supply
Of drinking water, had to leave unprovided.
A number of cellars at the southern end of
Tatnall, Orange, Shipley, Poplar, and
Pine streets were overrun with water,
those on Pine being filed by back up wa
ter which came through the sluices.
A YOUNG MAN KILLED BY LIGHTNING.
Though the damage by flood was consid-
erable, that by lightning far exceeded 1t.
The most serious case which we have to
record is the death of young man named
George Morris, residing at 122S Chestnut
street. He, with fellow workman named
Moore, being out of employment, Went out
to pick blackerries early in the morning.
Perceiving the storm approaching, they
started homew ards aud being caught
in the rain they still hastened
onward until they reached an emil
nence in front of John r. Tatum's resi-
dence, on the Lancaster Pike near the city
limits. Morris was then few rods in ad-
vance of his companion, when binding
fash of lightning was followed by ter
rife peal of thunder and Moore, looking
towards Morris, saw him enveloped in
blue sheet of flame, and afterwards fall tC
the ground. Mr.. Moore, though stunned
hastened to his companion and found him
dead. His clothes were not torn, neither
WAS any mark left on the ground. The
y body when examined was found to be GOV
cred with bruises. He was about 20 year,
of age unmarried, an employee OF the
jackson ~ Sharp Company, and leaves &
dependent mother. An inquest was held
this morning, at which verdict was rem
9 dered in accordance with the facts.
DAMAGES TO PROPERTY.
A flag pole on the copper mandatory 0
Heisler, Mcbride & Co. was shattered and
the fluid descended to the second story
where it tore joint from the Matching, an
from thence passing to the first story, tel
to a plate Of copper upon which it spent it
l.
), plate at the time, and though much stunne
he no doubt owes his life to the NETS
which attracted the lightning. After col
lecting his scattered senses he hurried ou
expecting to see the building in flames, bu
was gratified to find his fears unfounded
A man named John Moore, standing shoI
distance off, was severely stunned
The east gable of Joshua Taggarts resi-
dence at the corner of French street an
Spring Alley, had the barge board and
row Of bricks knocked Off. the family a
being in the front part of the building kIe'
nothing of the house being struck until
neighbor came running i'll to see II any Oh
was hurt. domestic in the kitchen 8
the time came in and said the noise ha
gone through her head, and she didn't bt
iieve she would ever hear again.
A chimney was knocked from house {
Harrison street and Shallcross avenue, an
a tree at Eighth street basin was shattered
gentleman whose name we could III
learn, having little girl with him, was gC
ing out Delaware Avenue, and when pai
Jefferson his umbrella was knocked out {
his hand and his hat from his head. Il
was confident he was stunned with ligh
ming, and his little girl screaming he WEI
y into Tatnall d Co.. 3 green house until
had time to gather his scattered senses.
The barn of Anthony Holton, about
mile from Pennsgrove, was struck, and Il
barn, with it's contents of hay and graf
and one horse, and farming utensils, WI
entirely consumed.
During the storm the Phoenix and Del
y ware Fire Companies turned out, owing
a report that Richardson's mill, on the Ne'
port Pike, had been struck and was bur
ing, but tracing the report TO no authent
source they soon returned.
George Middleton, lad i3 years Of ag
while standing in the door Of No. 8 East 4
street, was so badly stunned by lghunil
that medical aid had to be summoned.
Kent and sussex.