Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-06-21
Letaer from Fauauier County.
.Co-respondence of the Alexandria Gazett


ORLEAN, Va, June 18.-It is human ma
ture for the people 10 say that the last is
the worst they ever saw, or ever expert.
enced as the case might be, when perhaps
it is only an extravagant use of superlatives
which have no special significance. We can
safely aesert, however, that the storm CT
wind, hail and rain that swept over sec
tion OF country about two miles north of our
village on Saturday last was the most ter
rife ever witnessed in these parts. About
5 p. N. @ cloud was seen gathering in the
west, which moved rapidly in an easterly
direction gathering force and size as it pro.
gressed. The lightning's flash was seen,
followed by loud peals OF thunder, and then
the storm or cyclone burst forth in all its
fury. The hail fell thick and fast (the stones
being larger than q partridge egg accom-.
panied by wind aud followed by fearful
deluge of water. Trees were uprooted,
fences overturned, the growing crops Of
wheat, oats and corn, were terribly dam
aged gardens, which prior TO the storm
were all, good farmer could wish them,
were literally ruined, the vegetation having
Among the sufferers and heaviest losers
are Warland Payne, William B. Wright,
J. W. Wright, Rev. s. NJ. Athey,
Ernstus Clark II. C. Payne, J. B.
Payne, I. NJ. Heist and George Moore.
The wheat fields, which were better than
they have been for several years past, and
would have been ready for the sickle in q
few days, will scarcely be worth harvesting,
if harvested at all.
The fruit has been destroyed, having been
cut off by the hail, which fell to the depth
of two inches Large quantities were lying
on the ground at sundown. The early field
of corn on the farm of j. 3. Payne, which gave
promise Of big crop, was leveed to the
earth. These losses fall heavily upon our
farmers and the outlook, at present, is in
deed gloomy one The hail storm was
only mile or mile and a-half in width.
How far it extended from west to east we
have not been informed. Window lights
were shattered and wherever the hail stones
struck fencing and other objects, scars were
left which will be visible for long time.
J. B. Payne was returning home from Or
lean in his buggy, and when overtaken by
the storm was at his front gate about one
hundred and fifty yards from the house.
While out opening the gate the horse became
almost unmanegeable from the peltiDg Of
the hail-5tones and was, with the greatest
difficulty. prevented from running away,
until sheltered behind tree and stone wall,
where horse and driver were forced to remain
until the storm was over. Mr. Payne was
badly bruised about tho head and boGy By
the hailstones, which fell upon his bare
head, stunning him, his hat having blown
Off Kuots as large in circumference as sill
yer half dollars were raised on top of his
head, and bruises several in number, were
made upon his arms and body. He was
thankful to have escaped with his life.
Mr.. Francis Lawer, an old and respected
citizen, died few days since.
The Orlean brass band held festival'and
dance at the school house near this village
on Saturday evening The band furnished
good music. We regret very much that they
did not close earlier, as they irespassed on
the Sabbath.
The wheat crops which have not been
damaged by the hail give promise of large
yield
Measrs. Tommie and Sumner Anderson, of
WarrentoD, were here yesterday on visit
to their parents.
Mr.. Hugh Hirst who has been living in
Braddock, Pa, icr several years, is here for
the summer. FAUQUIBR.