Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-04-27
THE STORM.
TREES TORN DOWN-A MAN KILLED
HOUSES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING,

Last Thursday afternoon, about 5
o'clock, after day of April showers, a Sc
we're thunder storm came up. In the vi
entity of Staunton the rain was heavy,
but there was not a great deal OF
wind. but at that hour tornado
struck near the place Of Mr.. Hugh
Guthrie, near Barterbrook, and tore
its way in strip half mile wide for
about six miles, down to Waynesboro, last
ing not more than five minutes when at
its worst, but doing almost incredible
damage in that time. We give some Of
the results of the
TORNADO.
On the farm of Mr.. David Hultz the
roof was taken off his stable, and good
deal Of fencing destroyed.
Mr.. Jos. M. Brown, on the next farm,
had his stable and fencing blown down,
and lost all his large orchard trees. His
old dwelling house was also destroyed.
Mr.. Henry Cr1st, on the farm adjoining,
had Is apple trees torn down, the roof Of
his barn and large quantity Of fencing
carried off.
At the next farm, Mr. Abram Kindig's,
IL apple trees were torn down and a good
deal of fencing carried off. Strange to say,
his windmill, which is 43 feet high, was
not only not carried off, but safely with
stood the hurricane, not being careened
more than six inches.
On the next farm, Mr.. Sam'l Willis, the
roof of his dwelling was blown off, and the
timbers of the second story scattered. The
beds and bedding were carried several
hundred yards away, and the latter was
found in an adjoining field, torn to str ps
The family fortunately were occupying the
first story. He lost about 20 fruit trees,
and large quantity Of timber.
Next, the wind passed over the Branna-
man place, tearing the fences away.
Thomas Cox, on his farm, lost about 80
apple trees; all his large cherry trees, and
about Is acres Of good timber.
Thomas Harris had a good deal of tim
Der injured.
Henry B. Jones' blacksmith shop was
blown down, and the bellows found on an
adjoining pla' tation.
The storm passed over the old Keiser
place, blowing down the barn and all the
fencing.
The roof of the dwelling house of Mr..
Cary was blown off, but the family, who
were in the building at the time were I'M
hurt.
On the "Finley" place, Mr.. David
Reeves corn crib was turned upside down:
his barn partially unroofed and about half
of his orchard destroyed.
On the farm of Mrs. Geo. Shirley the fenc-
ing was destroyed and much timber and
fruit trees broken down. The same thing
occurred on the farm of Mr.. VIM. Shirley
The farm Of Mr.. &. Julian Pratt, was
badly injured, the fencing and many trees
being carried away.
A small house owned by Mr.. G. A.
Bruce, near Waynesboro, was turned bot
tom up, and a harrow and plow inside
carried with the house some fifty yards
away.
The fencing and fruit trees on the farm
of J +. Ballard Smith on the adjoining
place, were badly injured.
| On the farm of Mr.. James Bush, about
| five acres of timber we've literally torn t
| pieces. Oak trees fifteen inches in diam
eter were torn Off several feet from thu
| ground. In some places it looked like (;
wagon road had been cut through tn,
| woods.
Tue farm Of Mr.. Marion Koiner wa
| also injured.
| NJ OLD MAN KILLED.
| just as the storm commeuUeu, es.. v,s
| colored man named Hiram Thompson, The
sexton of Tinkling Spring church, and the
only colored member who remained in that
congregation, went to water his horse
taking his little grandchild up behind him
He was found shortly afterwards dead
lying on the child, the horse lying neal
with q broken shoulder and the GROUND
strewed with broken timber. The old mar
had been struck back of the head by {
limb, fracturing his skull. The child was
not materially injured.
THE LIGHTNING.
The lightning, later at night, was yer,
| severe. About 9o'clock bolt struck ths
| residence of Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, or
Church street. 1t entered at circular
| window in the end near the roof, anG
passed into the attic, where it split a par
tition in twain, but, strange to say
though a quantity Of papers was lying
about the floor, set nothing on fire. Mr..
Stuart, who was sitting in his chamber,
remarked, THAT must have struck On
Sears HILL" It was not until next morn
ing that it was known that the house had
been struck.
The residence Of Mr.. Robertus Hender.
son, just outside of Staunton, was struck
about the same hour, the electricity en-
tering the chamber of his sons, and tear
ing off the end of the mantlepiece, and
then passing into the kitchen. A tree at
the city Water-Works was also struck.
-a-ss-ass~<a>-
COUNTY CoURT.-Judge Hendren pre-
siding This Court will sit again to-
morrow. During the week lit has trans
acted the following business
Pro6ate.-Will Of Jas. K. East with
Catherine "A. East, Elk; will CT John A.
Shields with w. II. and G.. A. Shields,
Ex'rs; will Of Mrs Mary 5. Peck, with H.
d. Peck, EXT; will of David Hupman,
with A. H. Fultz, EXT; M M. Dull quail
fled as admir- of Jacob Hart; estate of
Jonas Michael committed to W. L. Now
ny.
Licenses. james Cross, John B. Carroll,
Gabriel Cross and Abraham Mohler for
private entertainments; Thos. Jefferson,
J ohm "A. Fisher and David Beard to retail
liquor.
Roads. Commission appointed to assess
DAMAGES for road near Eahrnn nhllrnh