The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-05-22

NiAAoaF AAlHulkutt ual'9NoAAA pIOhb
over the city, the like OF which has
never been seen in Western PeRnsyl-
vania. Many runaways occurred, many
people were hurt and the total loss to
property will run lar above million
dollars
Whimsical nature gave an exhibition
OF one Of her pet vagaries in a manner
that astounded and awed those mites
called man inhabiting this district It
all happened this way;
From three to five miles above the
earth's surface two powerful winds met
IN combat One air current was moist
and warm, while the other had hurried
hither from the north, and was dry and
very, very cold.
A heavy electrical tension, unequaity
balanced, and created by some malign
planet acted us umpire the mighty
contest, and doubly aggravated the fu.
could rise above the other First the
lower moist wind rushed into the
chilly upper air, but was beaten back,
carrying with it millions OF tiny snow
drops. Again there was an upward
roar, and again the warm wind was
driven back. This time it carried
heavier weight, the countless snow
drops acting as a nucleus around which
coating OF ice had formed.
COMBAT OF AIR CURRENTS,
Again and yet again the lower air cur.
rents dashed wildly into the upper, to
fall back each time laden with myriads
OF hailstones that grew larger and larger
with each futile effort, ono concentric
layer OF ice forming upon another. Fl.
nally, with one despairing howl, the de.
ieated wind plunged away up and into
the very center OF the cold mass. The
shock was terrific, lightning spreading
across the sky like brazen web, while
the thunder roared dreadful accom-
paniment to tho dying means OF the
fallen gladiator Precipitation then
took place, and the hailstones. now
grown comparatively enormous, started
on a desperate flight to the ground,
Then amazing things happened down
here. The storm seemed to come from
the Ohio Valley, and broke upon this
city at about 8 30 o'clock. There is no
need to exaggerate the size OF the hail.
stones, the size of English walnuts is q
fair comparison, though an occasional
monster broke the record and every
thing else in its way. The people were
partially prepared for something to
happen, but not knowing Just what it
would be, trusted 10 luck as usual, and
were caught.
THE sroRN's SAVAGE WORK.
Horses, stung beyond endurance by
tho great pellets that few to the earth
like beautiful white meteors, reared
aud plunged, then broke and ran.
Trees were stripped OF foliage and
fruit, observatory windows were beaten
in everywhere, and lovely plants and
flowers torn and bruised, photograph
er's skylights fell in and their places
were Hooded. The modest garden
patches OF Thousands were almost
ruined, and the total damage of this
unparalleled hail fall is simply meal.
culable.
In all this wreckage, caused by q
short ton minutes' destructive work,
the saddest occasions known to men
suffered as we'll. Two funeral corteges
conveying the dead were broken up,
and the horses ran away with shock
ing results.
The signs OF the early afternoon were
peculiarly ominous OF some disaster.
The high wind that prevailed early in
the day had slowly died away, and there
fell an oppressive, murky calm. Along
toward 8 o'clock something resembling
q mist came between earth and sun,
and after that 1t gradually grew darker.
Some outburst Of nature was plainly i'm
pending Birds twittered uneasily, then
grew hushed aad silent. Animals out
in the fields sought shelter, whilo horses
in the city pulled at the bit OF OCCASION
ally whinnied in frightened way.
THE BREAKING OF THE STORM.
Bird and beast felt the pressure OF tho
storm, but needless man threw of what
ever influence might have warned him,
and alone was unpropared for what fol-
lowed.
From $3.50 until 3:45 o'clock the dark
ness grew deeper, 30 rapidly and so
quietly that 1t was scarcely noticed, uR-
I'll people suddenly awoke to the fact
that almost midnight darkness pre-
vailed. Not breath OF air was stirring
at that time, but the terrific elemental
struggle going on above caused an in.
nate feeling Of depression, OF gloom,
and almost Of feat.
Then heaven opened her batteries
aud tho subdued feeling Of apprehen.
sion gave way to open panic. Cannon
balls, grape shot and canister and mil.
lions OF rifle bullet0 in the shape Of hail.
stones as hard as iron were poured up
on this devoted city, broadside upon
broadside, rafting upon tin roofs like
q fro oil muskotry, or plunglng through
TO the streets, un occasional enormous
white bali plunging down like flash,
TO burst upon the streets like bomb.
shell.
SCENE OF PANIC.
Tho breaking of glass was then heard
on all sides, and women screamed and
men ran for shelter, each for thom.
selves. Horses Weighed and reared,
then dashed away, tortured by tho fly.
ing leo balls, or noighed and covered
and trombled before the pitiless fusil.
AIDE Many people were hurt, and all
were frightened by the phenomenal
storm, and, to add to the terror, the
surcharged air began TO FREQ itself Of
electricity which lodged and played
upon wires and housetops, or stretched
across tho sky In zigzag, dazzling flight.
10 add 10 oil this the sky opened her
iloodgates and tremendous rainfall
intensified everywhere tho awful dam.
ago wrought by the bombarding hail.
stones. Gardens. cellars aud streets
wcrO flooded in moment, car lines