Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-04-30
RAIN and HAIL.
ARLENE RIVALS VENICE FOR A
NIGHT.
HAIL and Wind DAMAGE.
Bottomlands From Abilene to Chap
man Are Under Water for Several
Hours Houses Tumble and Streets
Turn to Rivers.


Turn to Rivers.
The storms Of Friday afternoon
gave Abilene a new experience. The
rains descended and the foods came
and the Belle Of the Smoky put in one
Of the unique nights Of its history.
For few hours it was western Ven.
ice and the population had some
sights and scenes that had never been
before witnessed in this great sum-
mer and winter resort. There has
been high water before. In some
parts Of town there have been local
floods but never was there SO much
water abroad over so wide surface
and never has there been SO unpre-
cedented fall in SO short time in
this vicinity.
The townships Of Willowdale,
Grant and Buckeye we're the sufferers.
The storm which was seen in q
dark greenish mass north Of town
about 1 o'clock moved eastward and
then southeast 1t was accompanied
by hail, wind and rain. The extreme
force appears to have been exerted
about two to four miles north Of the
court house. West Of the city on the
Sand hills the rainfall was light. East
Of town, nearly to Junction, the bot
toms were transformed into lake.
HAIL WAS PLENTIFUL.
The storm was felt in Abilene about
4:90. For an hour rain fell rapidly
and altogether 81 inch was measur-
ed. At Third street the hail fell in
rattling profuson, none Of the stones
being more than three-fourths Of an
inch in diameter. As one went north
the size OF the stones increased. At
Eleventh street they were as large as
eggs and at the college and two miles
beyond great damage was done.
At St. Joseph's college nearly every
light on the north side was smashed
At j. P. Fishburn's farm house 16
large lights on the east were broken.
Most of the Others on the north were
destroyed.
At W. R. Moore's not only the
window panes but the screens were
penetrated, the wire netting proving
no protection against the fierce
fusilade.
Orchards of W. R. Moore, A. &.
Buchanan and H. B, Messenger and
several others were ruined by the
hail. Buchanan lost pig killed by
the hail
These experiences were repeated in
nearly every farm house and in many
North Abilene houses and window
pane sales were brisk as a result.
MUD CREEKS HILARITY.
The townspeople realized that there
had been big rain and ate supper in
happy frame Of mind. They
thought Of good crops and prosperity
and had reason for being contented
But those who crossed the Mud creel
bridges about $50 noticed that the
water was rising rapidly. Up it rose
so fast that soon crowds gathered tt
see how it was coming up. Those OF
the Third street bridge measured thu
rise and it was foot in 8 minutes
Up it came and soon the wall built tt
protect the yard was covered. 1t die
not stop until it was within three
inches of the floor Of the Third stree
bridge and up to the rails Of the rail
road bridge at First street. This wa
about $3.50 and until 10 o'clock it helt
this level In the meanwhile tn,
creek went out of its banks all tn,
way north from First street and th'
streets running east and west, as wei
as those north and south throughou
the lower parts Of town were veritabl
rivers.
On west side the water ran dow
Vine street then west on First, givin,
the "hatiron" a lake-like appearance
1t also backed westward on Third
surrounding many Of the houses
East Of the stream Third and Fourtl
streets were as pretty rivers as on
could wish. From sidewalk to side
walk the waters rippled in soli
mass, shining in the moonlight
Around the homes Of Messrs. McIn