South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-07-08
Fearful Hail and Wind Storm,

S"ePi away ueaii Oats anu Corn Dtsuol-
en-Barns Unroofed, &c.
One Of the most fearful storms of
wind and hail ever known in the Valley
swept over the vicinity of Port Republic
on Saturday evening, the 25th ult., de-
stroying every thing in its track. II
started near Mr.. John +. Lewis on the
Shenandoah River. and swept up the
river "a far as Mr.. James A. Patterson's
on South River whence it veered east.
ward and crossed the Blue Ridge thro'
Browns Gap. The track OF the storm
was about mile and a half wide.
At Mr.. Henry b. IIarnsbergel's about
mile South of Port Republic. the de-
struction was fearful. His whea; that
was cut and shocked was scattered a.
broad and That still standing about 40
acres, was greatly injured, his corn was
utterly ruined and his garden is as il il
had never teen the grape vines and
currant bushes were literally cut to pie.
ces, The trees IN the yard blown down
and all OF his fenpiug destroyed. HIS
wagon shed was also blown down, smash.
ing his buggy which was under il. lie
says the hail.stoncs fell thicker than he
ever saw them and amidst their rattle
with the loud roar of The wind, he heard
nothing OF the terrific thunder that &C.
companied tic storm.
The frame house Of Mr.. Taylor Wag.
oner, near Mr.. llarnsberger'e which was
weather boarded, and facet with plank
on the inside, was careened over and is
complete wreck. Mrs. Wagner, with
her two little children, was in the house
at the time and feeling it yielding to the
violence of tie storm, ran out into the
beating bail with her children in her
arms. They were severely bruised 10y
the thick falling stones. an it is feared
that the little child two years old will
not survive
A remarkable incident Of the storm
showing the violence of the wind, was
the driving OF an inch plank ten inches
wide through weather-boarded honse.
This was new house recently built by
Mr.. Harnsberger and the piles Of plank
from which the one was blown was on
J thirty feet distant. The plank struck
the house end-wise. penetrating through
the Notwithstanding and plastcring
demolishing table in the room, an d
striking against the mantle loosened il
from the brick chimney back OF it.
The roof OF the depot building Of the
| Shenandoah Valley Railroad at Port Re.
public was blown off, and falling upon a
frame building crushed it down. A
number Of barns and other buildings in
the vicinity OF Port Republic were un-
rooted and otherwise injured.
At Mr.. Frank Brooke's, who lives in
the old John Miller property. the storm
was equally severe. A sixty-acre field
Of oats was so utterly destroyed that it
looks as if there had never been any oats
in II. We have also heard that his
dwelling house was badly irjuted. bu.
this has not been confirmed.
Mr.. Fountain kemper had bis wheat
cut and shocked, but it was scattered
far and near, and his loss will be con-
siderable from the shat:ering out os the
grain.
So far we have learned no further par
liculars Of this destructive storm; but
for the distance Of four miles iu length
and mile and half wide, everything
vegetable has been destroyed and the
fencing all blown down. The destruc
zion OF timber 10 t Le track Of the storm,
where il crossed the Blue Ridge, is said
10 Lc fearful, and Mr. Harnsberger est &.
mates that half Of his pine timber has
been ruined
It's further reported that the fury OF
the storm had not ebatcd after it cross
ed the Blue Ridge. and that great dam
age has also been done ia Albemarle.-
Situn'on Spectator.
Various estimates arc made Of the
damage occasioned ranging from $780,
coo 60 $4,000, bu. as set j. is impossi-
bic 70 even approximate a waste 50 wi le.
spread and complete. Many Of the suf-
fcrers can lily afford to bear their loss,
Tor heir whole dependence was upon
the crops YDgbian.
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WHITE BLACKBERRTEs 1t would
be n matter Of interest % some readers
10 know that there is "a berry in this 10.