The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-10-07
STORM AT TIMMONsvILLE.

STORM AT TIMMONsVILLE.
T1MMoNsv1LLE, Sept. 29.-Our town
was visited this afternoon by the worst
storm in it's history. At this writing it
is impossible to state the loss, which
has been considerable. No lives were
lost.
Charley Howe, a contractor, was
struck by falling beam in the Smith
prizerv and Knocked seueeless He is
not seriously injured, though he had a
narrow escape.
The Cooper & Lechner leaf tobacco
factory, large three aud a half story
building 45z90 feet, is almost an en-
tire wreck. The windows on the south
side we're torn from their fastenings
and shattered The building is lean
ing nearly over on its eide. and its tim
bers are go badly broken and warped
that it looks like an impossible job to
straighten it. The stock CT tobacco in
this building is badly injured by the
rain Not having seen the owners.
Messrs Apple, Cooper, and possibly
others, I am not able to approximate
their loss. The leaf factory belonging
to Charles A. Smith and occupied by
W. P. Henry is also very badly 10
jure0, being twisted out Of shape Some
sash aud window panes we're torn out Of
the leaf factory occupied by Mr. Cobb
Of the American Tobacco company. and
bis stock Injured by the rains. Mr.
Charles A. Smith had a large barn
completely demolished In this barn
were three horses, two belonging to
Mr.. Smith and aud one to Mr.. Dixon
of York county. book agent, who bad
driven in for shelter from the storm.
Mr.. Dixon's horse aud one of Mr..
Smiths were instantly killed; the other
escaped. Mr.. Dixon's buggy and a
wagon sud other farming implements
were completely demolished A large
barn on the farm of Mr.. R. j. Rollins
cn the outskirts of the town was also
blown down. A mule in this barn was
also knocked down and held in until
released. but vas not seriously Injured.
The new seedhouse built by the Sumter
Oil mill for Mr.. R. C Severance was
blown from its foundation, as was tie
new residence of John Strother, ap-
preaching completion. 1t is reported
tonight that the barn on the Dargan
place, near here. occupied by Mr.. Geo.
Atkinson of this town. was blown down
and some cattle aud mules killed The
roof of Mrs. Emily Hatchell's house
was blown of, but 20 one was injured.
There are number of smaller casual
ties, suoh as chimneys blown down aad
fences destroyed, that will bring the
financial loss up to considerable
figure Of course any cotton open in
the fields is a complete loss.
DISASTER AT sTAUNToN.
RICHMOND. Sept. 30 The heavy
raio at Staunton Oh Tuesday resulted
that evening 10 the bursting Of the dam
OF the lake at the fair grounds, the wa
ters Of which, rushing into Lewis
creek, which runs through the city,
flooded the lower or business section,
destroying vast deal of property ard
causing the loss of several lives. The
large brick building kuown as the
Wilkes building was undetermined and
fell with crash. Burke's large livery
stable was turned upside down, the
bridges over the creek we're swept
away and the Crowle building is
wreck Thornburg's stable is ruin.
and there is general wreck every
where
A special to the Dispatch received to-
night says the scene in the food dis
trict beggars description. the streets be.
ing mass Of debris. A bout 40 horses
and mules were drowned aud the bodies
Of FIVE negroes nave been recovered.
Other persons are missing The gas
works are destroyed. At "ayncsboro
10 miles east CT S.aunton. the crceS
rose IS feet and w!enchcd buildings
from their fouDda;icns Onc man u2s
drowaed Reports from all the sur
round:ag country report gres. loss te
:he Gac:acrs. Ihe lo>a at Starato', IS
estimated At SIS. 600. I.jvard BafAe,
i. K Miller & Co. and Frapk Sa5let