Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1891-08-05

The rain STORM of Wednesday an
Thursday played havoc in Iuanv pla
ces in this state. especially in Whining
ton. It seemed 70 be Of cyclonie ma
ture for it camewi,h a terrific wine
and a heavy delhgis of rain.
Ia Wilmington the storm ragged will
fury for about fifteen minutes. in which
time one inch Of water fell. Tn,
sewer along Shipley street was unabl,
to convey the water. As "A cOnse
quence the people had to move out o.
their homes.
The Daily RepublicGn has the follow.
ing to say about the storm in that city
on Thursday.
At o'clock, dark clouds gathered
around the southwestern horizon like
an army gathered for battle. The
thunder began to roar and sharp, for
ked zigzag flashes of lightning darted
across the Inky bIackness. Everybody
said there was going to be great rain,
a hurricane, cyclone, cloudburst,
something out of the usual course, and
there was.
The citizens along Second and Mon
roe streets, who were flooded out less
than rty.eight hours before by the
mad capers of the Shipley run. were
frightencd; they did not want TO 20
through another food experience so
soon after the first. They hastily fas-
tened down the windows, bolted and
barred their doors and many of. them
hunted safer quarters.
Presently large drops of rain fell, and
the people ran for shelter. In a mic
ute or two more, the clouds literally
parted and the rain came dashine
down in torrents. The very spaee
above the earth seemed to be but a
sheet OF water. The cutters ran full
instantly, and the food spread from
side to side. The way lemons, apples,
peaches, cantelOupes, potatoes and
other market stuhs AOated down King
street, it looked as if huckster stalls
had been emptied bodily into the seeth-
ing flood.
Inc lower streets were in fifteen min
utes under water from six to twelve
inches deep, and the streets around the
L: w. q b.. depot were like mill faces
Inc railroad tracks from Tatnall street
in to Lombard were cOmDleteIv enhe
merged and planks, ties, gravel and
brick were deposited on the P. w. r
b. tracks, stopping the running of
trains for the time being.
The Hood tore up French street
where the Wilmington Citv Railroad
Company is laying track, fearfnliv
Inc pavement in front of the Merritt
House was under two feet of water A
heWsooy attempting to cross at this
point, stepped into hole and went M
TO his neck. NV u
He scrambled out, however and of-
ter gentleman had made Good ~
nun the loss of his papers, he went on
his way rejoicing.
-, Foplar street was again inundated
thursday, the insets to the sewers not
oelng sufficiently large to carry off the
water The street bed from Sixth
street down was literal sheet of
water taking in the pavement on both
sues Inc Hood had been so raDid in
us rise that the people were alarmed
anu gathered on the street corners. at
the doors and windows of their houses
wondering if they were to be driven
OUT or TO the upper floors to get away
from the water.
The William Lea & Sons Comnanv,s
mill was only prevented from being
NODDED again by his men building y
uam across the mill road when tbev
saw the flood coming.
Brandywine Summit CamD wos
also deluged with rain. MaDv tents
being flooded. ''"V'
AT Stanton, six miles south of vii.
mington, the store of John Mitchell
which is also the pOstoAice. was strnck
oy lightning and 81 900 damage done
About thirty letters were burned
The Kiamensi Wooden Mills. ownad
by State Senator John Pilling were
struck by lightning, but the flames
were extingushed before much dam.
age was done. va ~
harrington suffered much and MAS
hooded very considerably. The large
barn on the farr4 of Henry Knox tbreo
ana a'nalf miles from Harrington. was
struck by lightning and burned down
All the contents were DESTROYED
ABOUT 70 tons of hay went up in smoke
anc pair of valuable mules and a
hne young horse were roasted alive
Much farm machinery was also
burned. The barn was valued at
Sz'OOO and was insured, while the ten.
ant loses over 81 800, upon which there
Gently lapsed.