The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1888-06-28

day night Three clouds came up from
opposite directions and seemed to cOncen-
trate their furious force just over the town.
The day had been hot and sultry and the
atmosphere was heavily charged with cleo
tricity. When the clouds drew up as in |
line of battle the ominous roar of the wind, |
the deep-toned mutterings of the thunder |
and the lurid glare of the lightning seemed
to presage something more than passing |
breeze or gentle shower. Doors slammed |
with jar trees swayed to and fro and
seemed to grOan under the terrible
strain; houses shook, and the storm in all
its maddened fury was upon us. The rain
poured down in torrents; the lightning
flashed and cleaned from the dark and
murderous cloud that hung above US and
with dazzling intensity emblaZoned the
heavens with its forked fury shock after
shock of most terrific thunder seemed to
meet and struggle for the mastery, Earring
| the very earth itself in its fierce combat.
And thus for an hour or more this grand
drama of nature-a battle of the elements
went ON and helpless man stood still IN
| awe-struck wonderment.
|
| in town. A two-story frame building owned
by Tom Richardson, colored, situated back
from Turner avenue and about fifty yards
| to the rear of the residence of the editor of
the GOLD LEAF, was struck and set fire
to. It burned down without damage TO
any other property. 1t was at one time
occupied as tobacco factory, butw used
at the time by the colored Presbyterians
and colored Odd Fellows. All the prop
erty and effects belonging to them were
lost. Richardson had it insured for $3.50.
MI. Arch Davis dwelling house was
struck and some of the shingles were
knocked off. Mr.. Owen Davis who was
writing in an upstairs room was some
what shaken up but not hurt. A chimney
was knocked off of Mr. II. E. 1oung's resi-
dence No other damage was done to it.
Mr.. Walter Stark's dwelling was struck
and some of the shingles and weatherbGard
ing torn off. His wife was severel,
shocked and is yet in an almost helples:
j. condition from the effects of her injuries
Mr. Stark was slightly hurt as was als'
their little child. Fox's gin house wa
E struck, but little damage was done.
S chimney on Mr.. W. n Ellington's hous
was knocked off, A tree in Mr.. ii. IL
BurwelIs yard was struck. The rod OF
S Mr.. George B. Harris dwelling was hit
l.. as was the top of Henderson Tobacco Com
= panys factory. An oak post on the side o
the road near Mr.. Geo. Orenshaw's hous
- was struck and split open, and a coupl
g of holes were dug in the ground in an ope
y field in another part of the town. Flo
g lightning to strike in so many places an
d do such little damage is remarkable.
e Mr. l.. q. Newton who lives near Steeds
= Vile, in this county, had fine mare an
- colt killed by lightning the same night.
~ struck tree in his lot under which til
u animals happened to be standing at tn
:, time. This is quite a loss to Mr.. Newto
:, at this time as it interferes with him
N his crep
), Mr. r. A Bullock tells US of curious &C
~ cident that occurred in the Williamson
:. neichborhood Mr.. J. r. Buchanan
+o house was struck and set on fire. II
flames were soon cXtinguished though. n
,f Buchanan's clothing were torn nearly o
p Of him and his body burned There Is
- blStcred streak on one side from his hea
. to the soies of his feet and in the heel OF OF
!, shoe there is small hole as If made by
bullet Mr.. Buchanans wife and chi
:. were severely burned also, and DR.. &c
W lands who is attending them is Apr
y hensivc the child's eyes are permanent
- injured Altogether this is very remar
= able occurrence.
- We learn that the storm was quite
= | we're in other portions Of the county, al
that many trees and Outhouses were stru'
- by lightning.
- Altogether the thunder storm Of Ia
Thursday night was most terrific and a
palling-the severest this writer has ev
known--but now that the dire shock II
hhee passed and no more the dread batteries
Id the heavens fash forth their fork
e fury, followed by the shivering cras
st that trails the lightning's wake,
Re can look out over the tranquil scene al
al contemplate the power of the Unse
OF Hand back of the storm, and take comic
;;SI from the thought that it was not sent
ed destroy, bat for good purpose. to clear
ly and purify the air OF its miasmatic inf
- ~ ences while at the same time it may tea
ct us the lesson that we runy morsa.s shou
nd so live that though the dread snmmf
ca come lightning signaled, thunder-herald
ISL and storm tossed. We may be prepared
meet is with the same calm resignation
if it were waited to uS in sweetest caden'
mt unou the soft whiSnaTlups of an 2ure