The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-05-10
DISASTROUS HAIL sToRM.


noted for severe and destructive hail storms,
but on last Saturday the most extensive
and disastrous one which has ever visited
this section passed from; above Walhalla
through the middle of this County to a
point below Twins Mill in Abbeville, do
ing great and irreparable injury to crops,
gardens and houses. OF course it was not
equally destructive at all points, but more
than half of its route has been left scene
of desolation and ruin.
Starting at Walhalla, the hail fell fast and
thick, but was small and did little or no Sc
rious injury until it reached the neighbor-
hood of Seneca City, where it gathered fury
and fell to the depth of several inches upon
the level ground. Here the fury of the
storm seemed to travel down the river, de-.
stroying from one to two-thirds of the
wheat and cotton crops, killing chickens,
and in one instance breaking pigs back,
until it reached point three or four miles
below Maxwell's bridge, where it ceased.
At about seven o'clock the storm reached
Pendieton, and wa. comparatively light,
but gathered its wrath some two miles this
side, and was destructive along and below
the line of the railroad until it struck the
Six and Twenty Greek, where it was very
disastrous in many places, the reports from
the plantations of Messrs. J. Beltoa Wat
son and VIM. Burriss having suffered most.
After passing this point it was lighter until
it reached the town Of Anderson, about 8
p. m. The hail here was as large but not as
thick as at some other points, and beyond
the breaking of between seven hundred and
one ahonsand panes Of glass in the village,
did very little injury. From this point it
seemed to go up Rocky River, and was ter
rife from the forks of the road at Mr.. r. ].
Poole's over to the Bailey settlement on the
river. After passing this point, it was again
light until it; came to Broadway Greek,
from which point over to Meals Creek it
was probably more severe than at any other
place. After passing this point, it became
gradually lighter until it disappeared.
The area Of the storm was, as Ear as heard
from, about sixty miles in length, with on
average breadth of from five to eight miles.
It seemed to be worse along the line of wa
ter-courses and in billy sections. Birds and
chickens were killed in various portions Of
the County, and great damage done to the
fruit crop. Upon the plantation of DR..
Adger, near Pendleton, a horse which had
been driven rapidly from the village dropped
dead, whether from the effects of the hail or
not is unknown. There were quantities of
hnil-stones as large as guinea eggs, and some
as large as hen-eggs, measuring two inches
in diameter.
The hail was followed by heavy, washing
rains, which also did very considerable
damage Many Of our citizens have lost
heavily. Their crops Of small grain and
cotton have been literally ruined, and they
are now compelled to replant in order to
make anything. The question with many
Of them is, whether to replant cotton or
corn; and if We may be pardoned for OBJ
truding our advice upon farmers about this
question, We would urge them to plant corn
on all land that cotton has been destroyed
upon. One row of corn and one of peas
alternating will make, US general rule
more planted at this season than cotton.
The cotton weed will be as large if the seed
is planted now as if it had been planted q
month ago, but the yield will be immensely
less. Another thing to be considered is the
danger of the price Of cotton going down
much lower, while corn and peas will rise
In price in consequence of the European
war. This is no myth. but an actual reality,
which the capitalists all over the country
realize. 1t is not impossible that if our
people will plant corn ard peas where they
have had cotton destroyed, they may not be
such very heavy losers by the hail. At
any rate, we know that our people are a
busy and energetic people, and if labor can
repair their losses, they will be speedily re-
m; ral