The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-07-15
A Terrific Storm.

A Terrific Storm.
The most violent rain aud hail storm
experienced In years, visited Staunton or
Thursday afternoon last. About noon
black, threatening clouds began to back
up in the Southwest and Northwest, grad
ually approaching nearer and nearer to each
other, until about three o'clock. when they
seemed to meet over the very centre OF
the city. Within ten minutes after the
storm burst upon us, the streets were
transformed into miniature rivers the
blasts of lightning, vivid and binding,
followed each other in quick succession,
and heralded the most deafening peals OF
thunder. Hail mingled with the down
pour, falling in chunks some of which
were over an inch in diameter and coy
ering the ground. Fierce gusts of rain
drove the water in every direction, and
added to the damage. The storm lasted
for three quarters of an hour. Before it
had abated Lewis creek was raging tor
rent. overlooking its banks, and playing
havoc with the lowlands and gardens.
At Trieber & Coyner's store, the heavy
awning. to which hundred pound pole is
attached. was caught by the wind and car
ried straight up from its fastening, along
side of the Hoover House. Several of the
large windows were broken.
The greenhouse of Messrs. Tannehill &
Fallon, on Lewis street, was severely dam
aged, the hail breaking number of glass.
At Wise's agricultural establishment,
part OF shed was washed away, osether
with cultivator, a sleigh belonging to
DIR, Shelton, and several other heavy arti-
cles. Two or three small houses in the
same vicinity were ashed away.
The elegant garden at the Western Lu
natic Asylum was entirely ruined. In
some places the water covered it to depth
of six feet.
All along the banks of the creeks the
crops and land suffered, and it will require
many months to repair the injury of an
hour.
The area of the hail storm was limited,
and consequently the large crops were not
seriously damaged. The gardens in town,
though especially the corn patches. were
riddled by the icy bullets.
--
Ft. Della noe Items
reported for the VALLEY V1RGINIAN.l
Serious Accident.-Master Jasper Craw-
ford, son of our neighbor, James Mop.
Crawford, Esq, was thrown violently
from colt last Friday afternoon. His
head striking the ground he was knocked
senseless and remained so for about lif-
teen hours before consciousness returned.
At this writing his physician, DIR. Craw-
ford, says that though partially paralyzed,
and not yet out of danger, he is improv-
ing as rapidly as could be expected. The
colt hitherto had been quite gentle and
tractable. though rather sluggish, so JAS
per thought he would try to liven him up
with spur. Putting on his spurs he noun
ted and very thoughtlessly took up behind
him Prof. Rollers little son, Tommie.-
With the first touch of the rowels the colt
began to buck. Fortunately, Tommie
sprang off at the start and was not hurt.
OF course the animal was goaded afresh
at every plunge, and became nore and
more furious. until his rider lay senseless
in the harnyard Jasper is clever, manly
lad, and we are sorry for him and hope he
will recover without permanent injury,
and be more careful in the future.
A protructed Meeting has been in pro-
gress in Mt. Sidney for some three weeks.
1t was begun in the Lutheran church by
Rev. Mr.. Smith, who has been joined since
by the Methodist pastor, Rev. Mr.. Gun
bingham, and the meeting moved into the
NJ. E. Church. There have been several
conversions, besides a number of peni-
tents. Much interest has been awakened
in the neighborhood and considerable re.
vlval of religion is looked for.
The most terrific thunder storms remem-
bered in this vicinity occurred on last
Thursday and Saturday evening. The
corn6slds. especially on the hill sides,
were terribly washed, and great deal of
uncut grass along the hollows, so badly
flooded that it is ruined. The roads in
every direction were badly damaged. Sew
eral patrons were unable to get their milk
to the Creamery Saturday evening on ac
count of the bridges and culverts being
washed out.
Thursdays storm broke off, about
twenty feet from the ground, a large
hollow tree in the Augusta Church grove,
which contained swarm of bees with
some honey. The honey was secured and
went to sweeten the paste s tooth.
There is thief or thieues investing our
neigborhood, and a vigilance committee is
needed. Several poultry roosts have been
robbed within the last month or so. Last
week pr. VIM. Bells and Rev. Levi
Wenger's spring houses were raided in
the night time and quantity of butter,
&c., carried off. We also learn that Mr..
BE-. Richard recently discovered some
one in his smokehouse late at night, and
slipped up and closed the door on him.
Mr.. R. called for light, which was
brought by his wife, and the mlScreant
proved to be youth who had been employ
ed on his farm for some time, and who had
probably been pilfering from him all the
while. Mr. r. must be kindhearted
man, for he allowed the young rascal to
beg off upon his promise to reform. But
no sooner was. he released than he skipped
the neighborhood. 1t seems that lie left
other candidates for the jail still in the
vicinity. S. M. w.
The Normal Insti tute.
Last night the teachers who have arrived
to attend the Summer Normal, were well
coined to our city in a handsome and ap-
propriate address by Chas. E. Kemper.
Esq. The Opera House was fairly well
filed considering the disagreeable weather,
and at the outset, we are satisfied, Mr..
Kemper made the visitors feel perfectly
ot homo Tho roonnnoo Inv prof SmitT,