Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-05-28
MIDDLETOWN.
A Heavy Thunder StOrm-Barn
burned by Lightning.

| Burned by lightning.
Special Correspondence Of Gazette and journal
MDDLETowN May 21.-The thunde
storm of yesterday was the most sever
of the season, though but little rain fel
in town, in the surrounding country wa
exceedingly heavy. Water fell in torrent
at Cayotts Corner for few minutes
This was followed by a shower of hail
many of the falling stones being as larg
as hickory nuts. Barkley q Brothers
wagon of Wilmington, was standing il
front of store at the corner and tn,
driver was receiving the merchants ordel
when the hail begun to fall. It peltet
the horses so severely that they began tc
run. Cattle in the neighborhood received
welts such as would come from being
dubbed. II is feared that the hail has
also injured the peaches in that section
Whilst the storm was at its hight light
ming struck the barn on Anthony III.
Johnson's farm near Sassafras. The bolt
passed down the gable end, tearing of
boards and setting fire to the straw. The
barn, with 100 bushels of corn, farming
implements and valuable driving horse,
was totally destroyed. Stephens, Miller
a. Co. of this town had q desperate strug-
gle to save two of their horses which
were in the stable. The barn was nearly
new and the carpenters were building a
new house on the farm at the time of the
fire. Mr.. Johnson's loss is about 81 200
partly covered by insurance.
Reports from Cecilton, Md, in refer
ence to the storm are more serious than
those from other sections. Two men
being on the road during the time driving
team of two fine horses to heavy
wagon were about to turn into farm
yard for shelter when their horses were
struck and instantly killed. One of the
gentlemen, Mr.. Coston, was also killed,
whilst his companion, Mr.. Faulkner, was
stunned and remained insensible for some
time. The front of the wagon was torn
to splinters. Both gentlemen are we'll
known citizens of the First district of
Cecil county. 1t is also said that the
heavy waterfall has washed great ruts in
the various roads of Cecil county.
MIDDLETowN, May 25.-Sheriff Suddler
of Queen Annes county, Md, stayed an
hour at the depot here on Friday last,
waiting for the southbound train. He
had George s. Truitt, white, and Charles
Wright, colored, in charge, alleged
thieves, en- route from Georgetown to
Centreville Jail
There is much complaint here against
the railroad company for running trains
and doing work ON Sunday on the track
which could be done during the week
days. Yesterday week they worked
through Townsend and the poor lnlWrcrs
were much embarrassed by the many re-
marks made. 1t is said that should the
Sunday work be continued until this
town is reached there will be some inves
tigation made by the citizens. The
yesterday if they did not turn out" ON
Sundays they would be finally discharged
The death rate of Middletown during
the past year has been ~ per hundred
inhabitants.
Unknown parties took Will McCrone's
horse and buggy, which were standing in
front of Reynolds store, on Saturday
night, and drove of with the team.
Search was Mt once begun, and it was
tracked to Churchtown, whittier the
thieves had driven and then abandoned
it. The horse was tied to fence when
found.
Thirty-seven dollars was the amount
added to the Citizens Cornet Band
treasury by the strawberry festival last
week.
The Rev. E. G. Atkins preached in the
M. E. Church yesterday.
A gospel temperance meeting was held
in the opera house yesterday afternoon,
II is proposed to hold meetings semi
monthly until the weather becomes too
warm.
The band boys are talking of running
I'm excursion to COLCHESTER on July 4th.
Farmers are having considerable re-
planting to do in their corn fields this
year.
Wheat harvest will be late this season.
Freeman a. Reeve proprietors of the
Neso Fra have received the contract and
copy for printing the journal of the late
session of the senate. They were, so !
am informed by gentleman in posi-
ton to know, the lowest bidders on both
journals, but by some means the House
journal was in the printers hands at
Dover week before the day named in
the advertisement. a....