Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-06-03
News and Times about Winchester

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From the Ners and Tines we coliate the
f5l.owing:
Guy Garner, negro, was arrested by officer
Mesmer, Monday, for abusing and threatening
to kill his family
A negro named Briscoe, was arrested in the
act of stealing some Of Mrs. Carsons goods
during the fire on Saturday night.
Within the last week, Mr. Bev Jones, near
+ Newtown. lost 81 improved sheep, out Of a
I nock of about 40. Mr.. Il. Kaufman has
also lost heavily, and many other gentlemen
have lost portions Of their tocks.
/ Quite large detachment Of members of
Winchester Commandery, K. T.. will leave
I Winchester on Monday next for Phladelpha,
10 participate in the great reunion Of mem
/ bers Of the order to be held in that city on
the 3Oth and 3lst inst. aud lst of June.
The teachers and pupils Of the Episcopal
I Female Institute made an excursion 20 Har-
per's Ferry on Friday last They enjoyed a
very pleasant day sightseeing at the Ferry.
Daring the storm on Saturday night. light
ning struck Mr.. John c.. Goes barn, near
Winchester. anA set it on fire. II was total
ly destroyed with most OF It's contents ~
GLIDING several tons Of hay and other proven
der, and a quantity Of harness. -Four or bye
excellent Alderney cows, which were IN a shed
attached to the barn, were also burned.
The terrible thunder storm Of Saturday
night. and its attendant disasters, have been
absorbing topics ever since. Few OF the
present generation remember one SO terrible.
Commencing soon after sunset, it reached
its height. in this city, about s o'clock. The
rainfall was not excessive, only about half
an inch falling during the two hours in which
it RACED but the lightning was awe-insplrlng
in the extreme, and was accompanied by thun-
der the like of which is seldom heard IN this
latitute The destroying bolts descended IN
every quarter of the town-no locality being
exempt.
In Winchester and vicinity some half doz-
en- or more houses were struck by lightning,
one Of which-AIrs. Carsons, on South Brad
dock street-was fired and partially destroyed.
In the same ueghborhood Mrs. Quauiz' S
house was struck. Mrs. Q-the widow Of the
late Henry Quantz, killed at the Narrow Pas
sage bridge disaster-was severely shocked
and was unable to speak for more than TWEEN
ty-four hours afterwards.
On South Kent street, Mrs Clarks house
was struck, and an immense hole knocked IN
the end Of the building. lady was slightly
stunned
Two chimneys on the house occupied by
Ebcn Taylor, near the depot, were destroyed.
Smithfeld, near town, aud lately occupied
by John Moling. Esq, received a bolt which
destryed chimney
Ca Water street the lightning struck will
low tree in Mrs. Charles Iardy's yard Leav-
ing the tree, il entered Mrs Harriet Deifen-
derfer's kitchen, scattering tin pans aud Hat
irons promscuously, and making kinAling
wood Of pantry shelving, &C., but doing no
very serious damas'.
In the same neiehborhood on Washington
street, Mr. r. T. Barton's lightuing-rod proved
his protection from serious injury. Plas,erlns'
&c, suffered somewhat but the force OF the
shock was car icl of by the rod.
We have beard Of several instances OF hor-
ses and cows being killed in the county, but
have no authentic Information in regard to
them. except that Mr. Stouffer. two miles east
Of town, on the Scnseney road, lost two year
ling colts.
Tho wing IN rear Of Mrs. Crson's house,
aforementioned, was struck during the early
part Oh the Storm, out tue oSCup'"to wv u"'
discover any trace Of fire when they made an
examination; aud it was an hour after the
storm had subsided before it became visible,
and the alarm was given.
We learn that the storm Of Saturday crea-
ted havoc in the Back Creek section Of the
county. The damage was the result OF high
water however aud not Of lightning, which
was not particularly destructive, 50 far as we
have learned, outside Of the immediate vicini-
~ Of Winchester. We hear that steam saw
mill on Dry Run was carried away that ho-
bert Egaleston lost his hogs and some other
stock; that Capt Robert Smith sustained
great damage by the washing away Of young
orchard and good many acres Of corn, and
that Mrs Gore lost much fencing, &c, and
that great loss Of property occurred on the
whole length Of Dry RIM, the waters not hav-
ing been 30 high for fifteen years. We are
unable to gather particulars, but give The
story rs we lear IT, 1t is also reported that
( Capon Bridge was carried away, which seems
very improbable, and is doubtless incorrect.