The Lamoille news. (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1877-1881, 1878-05-08

-E.r. wi. p.
Editor Nc,cs:
Notwithstanding the prophecy OF
Profs. Tice, Ilinrichs, aud Others VINO
have come to bo regarded as authority
upon matters and things pertaining 10
the weather, that the unusual number
OF sun-spots would tend to diminish
the intensity and frequency Of storms
the past four waeks have been prolific
with phenomena which proves that
their predictions and theories have not
been reduced to an exact science. The
night Of Tuesday, April 9Th, was the
occasion of one of the severest winds
from the west ever known in this re-
gion. 1t was steady wind, however,
though strong; n sort of mariner
gale, but not approaching the dimen-
sions ola tornado, At exposed points
considerable damage was done, and
here two church chimnies were top
pied and hotel barn unroofed. 1t
was merely an overture or introduction
to what was to follow. A week later
there came an ''interludc" in the shape
of drenching rain, one that poured
down in food-likc torrents, and rem
dering the roads just impossible Tor
several days. But it was reserved for
Easter Sunday, April 2lst, for the
display of the greatest (and we trust
concluding) symphony ofthe clements
Though it was my fortune-and call ii
00Od fortune, - to witness but the
slightest fractional part, comparatively,
it was ample sufficient to satisfy any
curiosity | might ever have had to see
what | have sometimes read Of but
scarcely believed.
The morning opened with severel
rain and thunderstorm, but partially
cleared at noon. From that time till
five o'clock it was calm, cloudy and
sultry. Then the clouds in the west
became suddenly dense and black, while
Il heavy wind sprang from the north
east. IIalf-an-hOur later and the rain
descended in sheets, accompanied with
rapid discharges Of electricity and III
cessant thunder. In few moments
the rain turned to hail Of the size O
chcstnuts. Probably within two min
utes the ground was whitencd. The
shower Of hail still continued, and il
WAS noticed the stones were also III
,crcasing in size. Then came Il fearful
CHATTER upon the roofs caused by TIM
striking Of enormous masses OF &c,
hail. As the din increased, making
so much noise that one could not hea
ordinary conversation, thewind ceased
All the while the lightning was terrific
'ttI,' o'iO 't'''--s,-- 's-.~-- -~---
flash instantaneous, showing that W,
were completely enyclopcd in the fari
Gus storm. Is there to be no end t,
this? was the question. The hal
stones grew larger and largcr-happil,
less in number as they assumed pro
portions simply incredible to those wh'
never saw the like. Finally the fore,
Of the storm was spent, and we ven
tured out Of doors to pick up the ic,
crystals, to weigh and measure, t.
speculate and wonder. handled on
that measured eleven inches in Gil
conference, Two hours after | say
one in a gentleman's yard that wa
still as large as hens egg, thong
the atmosphere was very suItry. Whe
found at first it measured thirteen incl
rs in circumference. tits estimated thu
stones averaging eight to ten inche
around fell at the rate of one to ever
square foot in this vicinity. | don
expect more than nineteen out
twenty of YOUR readers will believe tn
hail story, but | will send you loct
papers, Mr.. Editor, which pleas
show the incredulous twentieth reade
so he can see that | am fully corrobt
rated, and become satisfied that | a
not the sole and only one in this gre
and truth-loying and truth-telling sta
that allowed his Imagination ''to Q
away with him." When the Chica!
dailies reached us Tuesday momil
our people read with grim horror tn
in Galesburg, H., hailstOnes fell t
same day measuring seven and Gig
inches around, and that three reliui
persons could attest to the fact;
here three hWpdred equally relial
persons, with thrice that number
reserve if, necessary, could attest
seeing them nearly double the 81
''raised" in Illinois. Poor Illinoi
AS in everything else, Iowa can do
ble-discount her in the matter Of ha
stones
While the storm was at its hight, al
though what little wind there was car
from the east, the southern sky su
denly became densely black with
switt-moving something that was tray
ing straight in the direction CT Il
city. 1t was coming at the rate
probably fifty miles an hour, and t
roar of its swift and havoe-Lealing G
proach preceded it ten or twenty mi
in advance. 1t was a whirlwind
gigantic proportions, - the dread
cyclone. 1t was funel-shapad, looki
like pictures of watcrspouts at sea
used to see in MitcheIPs gcograpl
At times it would drop to the groul
then rise high in the air; wnirlil
twirlng, twistings progressing, on
came, passing directly Deer the s0y
part Of our little city. 1t was a gra
and awful sight. In its sweep Of p
haps eighty rods In width were
manner of debris trees, fences, raj
boards, clothing, cornstalks, ANNA
Many Of these dropped within the Ii
its of the corporation. A boys CT
was found with a clean pocket-har
kerchief in it nicely folded for Sund