The Newtown bee., 1878-07-18
WOOdbury.
NUMBER FIFTY-ONE.

|
 In our last we mentioned the fact that
 we had had @ severe thunder shower, in
 But during the last week we have had a
 summer of thunder storms, some of
 which assumed proportions of tornado,s s
 doing much damage to crops, buildings,
 and forest trees, flowing the streets, and
 dealing destruction prOmiscuously. The | barn of William Smith was struck by
 lightning and consumed, together with
 about F tons of hay and all his farming
 utensils. It was with great difficulty
 that his other buildings were saved.--
 The fluid also descended, striking the
 barn and sheds of Ira Thomas, at Hotch-
 kissville, and consumed them, with several tons of old hay, a horse, carriage, pigs, hens, and all his farming utensils. The house of A. Smith was also struck on two corners, taking one corner out clean. MT. Smith was sitting with his back against the side of the house, was prostrated, and the fluid cut q hole in his back. He got up and went to assist MT. Thomas at his barn, but tainted, and had to be carried home. It is feared that he will not recover from the effects of the stroke in long time. A small barn of Henry H. Peck wa. also struck, but not burned. An oak tree near inc spring of deacon J. H. Linsley's, on the mountain, was struck; also dead pine tree on the top of Orcnaug Rocks, near Singing Rock, and more than 60 other trees in various parts of the town, so far as has been observed, were also struck. Great damage was also inflicted on the growing crops of grain, grass, corn, &c. The rain poured down in torrents "whole water" as the cart phrase goes. It was an exciting timein old Woodbury. While the q flood gates of heaven" were opened, and the thunder was roaring, and the lightning was crashing down with the "besom of destruction" " men on horseback were dashing through the streets crying, fire" while others on foot added to the startling chorus, and all the bells in town increased the fear ful din. As the storm passed over the town it paid, as usual, its parting respects to lightnings playground. It is said by the oldest inhabitants that mo shower ever passed over that place, which had any thunder in it, that did not send down its bolts on that deserted locality" The neighboring towns were similarly visited. Roxbury was "struck" all over; the wife and daughter of Lean- der Blackman, of that town, were return- ing from New Milford during the shower, when a bolt descended, killing one of the horses, tearing the shoes off the other, burning the dresses of the ladies, and shattering the carriage. The watch and chain of Miss Blackman became 50 hot as to burn their shape upon her per son, and yet both ladies were saved, and were not otherwise injured, Wonderful are the ways of the thunderboltI
 MT. Edwin s. Seymour died on Sattr- day last, and was buried on Monday, attended to the grave by a large eon- course of friends. A post nlortem exami- nation revealed the cause of death. All the passages of the stomach were closed up, so that no solid or liquid food could pass it; so he really died of starvation. He suffered great deal, but is HOW at rest. Agood citizen has passed away.
 Lawyer Cothren has returned from a visit to his old home and birthplace ill Maine. He had a pleasant visit to the scenes of his childhood and youth, and found his friends in good health. His father, aged SS years, is remarkable specimen of a we'll preserved man in old age. He oversees his business, lending a needed helping hand, as occasion requires, in the same manner as during his whole life. A similar instance of prolonged vigor in old age is not known to the writer. NAMELES.