Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-14
1HE STORM MING

WOrk-fteids OF Grain Devastated
Minor Memeutoes OF the visit.
The storm Of last evening was brief but |
unusually violent. The Commercial Gazette's |
weather report OF yesterday morning pre-
icted that wind storms would be frequent
Tor the next two weeks, but nobody expected
a cyclone so quickly. Had the indications Of
yesterday afternoon and evening ap-
pesred on the Western prairies
everyone would have been safely ensconced
in cellars or other refugees by 1880 o'clock.
The sutry day, the cloudess lightning esrly
in the evening, accompanied by sharp claps
OF thunder; the sudden appearance of a
clearly defined storm curtain in the west; the
distant roar of the swift wind storm, all were
the most approved indications Uf the regula-
ton cyclone. 1t could be seen miles away
coming upward, curvng first in one direction
recrossing its track Ikea wild monster, dizzy
with the rapidity of its own move
ment. Unfortunately Springfield lay directly
in the line OF one of the giant
o'clock, the sheet OF dust aud rain that
swept through the Streets the bending and
crashing trees, the anchorless signs floating
about the streets, all combined to make the
weather anything but enjoyable The trees
twisted and whirled about like tortured
giants, and hardly frame house in the town
but was shaken with more or less violence.
The maple trees on High street were torn
about and many blown to the ground In High
street church yard two immense shade trees
were destroyed, and the foliage in e1-Mayor
Constantine's yard, on Market street, was hurl-
ed to the ground. Signs, loose boards, &C., flew
about the Air quite "promiscuss-like" for a
few minutes. The heavy sign of G. c. Funk
on Market street fell directly between two
men who were walking together beneath it,
but fortunately injured neither OF them, and
that OF the Globe Restaurant on Main street
narrowly missed the head OF a foot t-passenger
The cupola of the patrol house was slightly
twisted to the east, and all connexion was cut
off from the boxes about town by the cross
ing and breaking Of wires. 1t threw the
Telephone Exchange into peck Of trouble
also, and Manager Hurd stated this moruing
that no less than fifty wires were crossed or
broken.
A few minutes after the storm broke over
the city there came an unusually vivid flash
OF lightning accompanied oy clap OF thunder
resembling salvo Of artillery. The bolt de-
scended in perfect wave OF fire, as it seemed
to eve witnesses, upon a small frame house,
corner OF Murray street and Chestnut avenue
Eighth ward, tearing away the corner and
caves At one end, doing about S25 damage,
but not setting the place on fire. The house
is occupied by Pat. McHngh and family and
is owned by Douglas Rice. A little boy, son
Of McHugh, had gone up stairs to close
window and Was prostrated by the lightning
stroke so that, between the shock and the
fright he was unable to navigate for some
time. The whole family were badly excited
by the shingles rattling down about them.
The North Side was not exempt from seri-
ous damage by the gust to shade and fruit
trees. A splindid, great cherry tree on Mr.
Chandler Robbins's place was utterly ruined
and several ornamental trees on the grounds
| nearly 20. Ii is worthy OF note that the ma
Piles and l0custs suffered most severely all
over the city. Many evergreens were also
destroyed. The damage in this direction
alone will amount to hundreds, if not thous-
ands Of dollars, could it be accurately esti-
mated. Parties from south of the city, be-
tween this locality and the county line,
report that there was no storm there; not
even a shower, although the storm could be
seen raging here.
The hailstorm was unusually severe and
must have worked no small injury to crops
of all kinds, especially fruit. Mr.. John Cord,
well-known resident of the Eighth Ward,
states as a fact which may he accepted on his
statement that he found under some shrub
berry in his yard this morning, mass of hail
stones csked together so as to form piece OF
solid ice as big as 4 good sized loaf OF bread
which he picked up and carried TO a neigh.
bors. The wind had blown the icy globules
into the sheltered place. In some csses
where people tailed to close doors and win.
dows quickly enough. sheets OF watel
were blo1n across rooms, soaking the floors
The Commercial Gazette intimates that tor.
nadoes and thunder storms may be expected
for several days now. No doubt, as later re.
ports from the surrounding county are re-
ceived, the damage done will be found muct
more extensive than now supposed.
The damage in the country near town wa.
fearful. The corn was cut to pieces by th'
hail and fattened and twisted about by th,
wind. The newly shocked wheat wa
waired and scattered broadcast about tn,
fields; and such standing grain as oats, rye
&c., was fisttened and tangled in a mos
hopeless manner.
| At John Rubsam's residence on North Ne.
chanic street, the storm tore down a clinginI
vine entirely covering one side of the house
leaving but scrap. A large number of En-
glish sparrows had taken refuge in the vim,
| and many OF them were killed This morn
| ing FIVE Of the dead birds were found on tn,
ground, and il is known that the neighbor
hood cats feasted during the night on the re-
| mainder. This cannot be calculated among
the losses b, storm, however.
The chimney was blown off the residenc,
part OF the German Catholic Church on La
CODA avenue. The !. B. L W. target at Ess
Main street crossing was blown down.
| DIR. Leonardo Reply to Mr.. Ryder.
| SPRISGsIELD, ONO, July a. 1884.
Mr. J. RYDER, Dayton, Oblo-My Deal
Sir: Permit NE to thank you most cordial ,
| for tie hnrse shne yau have kindly sent mo