The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1890-08-15
SUNDAYS STORM.
Water, Hail and Tightening Play Havo.


The vicinity OF Rapid City was visited
on Sunday last by one OF the severest
storms ever experienced in this section.
The UNION man CHANGED to be out with
his family, returning from RockervilIe,
and on the park this side OF Col Wright's
had q clear view OF the approaching
cloud. It was d thrilling sight. The
dark Eody OF clouds surrounded by q
mass OF gray appeared to hang over the
hills hut a short distance west Of Rapid
City. The dark clouds while retaining
their location yet were constantly as
Stunning different forms. At one time
they almost took the dreaded funnel
shape. but quickly again assumed a
more compact form, finally moving in
an easterly direction, again the course
changed to a southeasterly one. coming,
as we afteward learned, almost to the
city, but passing it on the south, follow
ing up the cannons to the east OF the
Hill City trail, working gradually onto
the high divide south of the city and
apparently being at its severest on the
south line OF the sammis place. During
the approach Of the storm the wind blew
gale from the south and though driv-
ing at high rate OF speed to reach shell
ter before the storm broke, the wind
would at times swing the buggy foot
from the track. There was brilliant
electric display which preceded the
storm by several miles and after many OF
the flashes the dense smoke arose from
the ignlted grass. From the vicinity OF
the Sucow school, the tablesouth OF Sam
mis-. two points on the high hill east OF
the Wood ranch and in the vicinity OF
the Fanshaw ranch, smoke was rising at
the same time, and as we drove down
the rocky, wooded slope, to the Reed
ranch, with lightning flashing upon either
side accompanied by the sharp peals OF
thunder, one might we'll imagine they
| were descending into the lower regions.
With the storm came strong north
| west wind and hail. The hail, and in
fact the entire storm, reached but little
south OF Spring creek. A gentlemen who
rode across the table Immediately after
the storm reports the hail up to the
horses knees, it was no doubt somewhat
drifted in that section. We noticed it
in banks two and one-half feet deep at
noon the next day. Parties on Spring
creek below the Spiking's place report Il
drift six feet deep. The body OF water
which flowed from the tables on the
south into the creek was immense. The
Waugh ranch although OF sloping surface
was evenly covered at least a foot deep.
The Blair ranch was also flooded. Above
Mr. Waugh's in the cannon there was
scarcely flow OF water. The flow was
also great east OF the S;lmmis place by
Lockwood's and through by Mattoon's.
Here many feet, OF the railroad was
washed out and the passengers and bag
gage OF the morning train had to be
transferred. The loss OF Mrs. Sammis
and sons must reach at least 81 800.
The log house OF NJ. d. Sammis was
/ blnMn down WHIST tho drouth had left
OF grain destroyed and the little grass
that could have been cut was moved
closer than machine could do it. But
their greatest loss was six head ofhorscs
that were dlifted by the storm into the
gu.ches south OF the table and probably
there drowned and washed into Spring
creek, where they were found on the
Barnes ranch. Above Rapid City many
head OF horses and cattle were drowned
and corn, grain and hay destroyed.
Geo. Wells is reported to have lost sew
enty tons.
Rapid City was in the edge OF the
storm, but received the water from Rapid
creek aud the canyons west OF the city
as we'll as the drainage from the hills to
the south. When these different sources
united, it is said they formed a wave at
least four feet high. From Main street
to the railroad the ground was flooded.
This was largely caused by the railroad
embankment. and it would seem that
the road in the upper part OF town
should be trestled as means OF safety
for the future.
The water flowing down Main street
caused falling OF the outer wall, under the
sidewalk at the Hotel Hamey. The
basement was flooded and considerable
damage done to stocks stored there
The bridge at Chitty's was slightly dis
abled and the smaller ones above washed
out. Considerable damage was done te
the race OF the Gate City mill, also tn
flume OF the new mill and the electro
;. light plant.
:. The only loss OF life reported is tn
death by lithtening OF Mr.. Clark, partie
e ulars OF which will be found elsewhere i
i this issue.
Hayward Happenings.
. The weather is very dry and hot thi
. season and crops are almost dried NJ