South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-05-26
The Storm.

Prem TIE Manchester Itrss, Nay ~.
Tho terrible thunder storm of Satur.
day night. and its attendant disasters,
have been absorbing topics ever since.
Few Of tho present generation remem.
Der one 50 terrible. Older people say
that it was only exceeded, in their re.
collection,b by one which occurred OH the
22nd day Of August, 1874.
Commencing soon after sunset, II
reached its height. in this city. about 8
o'clock. The rainfall was not excessive.
only about half an inch falling during
the two hours in which it ragged but the
lightning was awe.inspiring in the eS-
trene. and was accompanied by thun-
der. the like OF which is seldom heard
in this latitude. Tho destroying bolts
descended in every quarter Of the town
no locality bong exempt; and old
soldiers were wildly reminded of hard
fought battles by the doafening rever.
h,rations, which closely rcscmbled the
bursting Of large shells in the immcdi.
ate vicinity OF the spectator,
AL oge'her. it was such n storm as we
hope never 70 witness again.
In Winchester and vicinity some half
dozen or more houses were struck by
lightning. one OF which Mrs. Carson's,
on South Braddock strcct--was fred
and partially destroyed.
In the same ncighborhood Mrs.
Quan.z's house was struck. Mrs. O =
the widow OF the late Henry Quan,z.
killed at the Narrow Passage bsidge dis.
aster--was severely shocked aud was
unable to speak for more than twetv.
four hours afterwards.
On South Kent street. not very far
from the latter place. Mrs. Clarke's
house was struck. and an immense hole
knocked in the end OF the building
The occupants were uninjured, except
lady who was slightly stunned.
Two chimneys on the house occupied
by Eben Taylor. near the depot. were
destroyed.
Smithfe!d. near town. and istely oc.
copied by John Moling, Esq, received Il
bolt which destroyed q chimney.
On water street the lightning struck
\ willow ire, TN Mrs. Charles llanly's
yard. Lea,i lag the tree it entered Mrs.
Harriet Defenders kitchen, scattering
tin pans and fat.irOns promiscuously
and making kindling wood OF pantry
shelving, &c, but doing no very seri,
Gus damage.
IN the same neig hborhood, on Wash.
ington street, Mr.. II. T. Bsrton's light.
nng.rod proved his protection from sc
rious injury. Plastering. &c, suffered
somewhat. but the force OF the shock
was carried OF by the rod
We Rave heard Of several instances
Of horses and cows being killed in the
county, but have no authentic infor,na.
ton in regard to them except that Mr.
Stouher, two miles east OF town. on the
Senseney road, lost two ycarling colts.
Tie wing In rear Of Mrs. Carson
house, aforementioned. was ruck dur.
ing the early part Of the storm. but the
occupants did not discover any trace
OF fire when they made an examination ;
and it Was m hour after the storm had
subsidized before it became visible, & the
alarm was given. Tho Fire Depart.
ment was on the ground very quickly,
although II was quite long pail. and mp
hill besides, for the fircmen. They did
some Of the most effective work. IN the
face OF many disadvantages, we have
ever seen. All the water had 10 be fore.
oil from remote plugs. the supply on the
Hill. although plentiful. being unavaila.
bic for want Of good suction engine.
The evidences OF the fremen's service
is in the fact that only the upper story
Of the house, which is log and frame
structure. was burned. Noble work was
done by iremen sHd citizens In rescuing
property from the building. and the
ri sufn 49,.
was by breakage and damage by water.
licr insurance, VIC understand. will cover
the Ga rage.
FIRE ~ THE CoCHTRY. During the
storm on Saturday night, lightning
struck Mr.. John G.. Goes barn. near
Winchester, and sci IL OH fire. 10 was
totally destroyed. with most OF its con.
tents, including Several tens OF hay and
other proveudcr. and n quantity Of bar.
ness. -Four or five excellent Attorney
cove, which were in a shoG attached to
the barn, we're also burned. But as they
could easily have made their escape. II
is supposed they were killed or stunned
by lightning. This constitutes tho sc.
vercst part Of Mr.. Goes loss, rs they
wero remarkably fine and very valuable
animals. We have not heard the loss
cstimated.-B.
The Back Creek section OF Frederick
county on the same night also. suffered
considerably The damage was the re-.
suit Of high water. however, and not Of
lightning. Fencing. washing away fields
Of corn, the drowning of stock. &c, &c.
tV-The LATEST man in Pendlet,n
county is 10 60 20 the centennial, and
will be exhibited, the Ns,cs ssys, by MIR.
Georpe Hincr q fh4f c--1nfv