The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-09-30
VERY SEVERE STORM
Defended Upon the City Yes
terday.
TREES WERE BLOWN DOWN
And Property Damaged by the
Fierce Wind,
PERFECT GALE RACED
Velocity of the Wind Was 20 Miles
Per Hour Big Republican Ban
ner Was Wrecked.


A rain and wind storm of unusual
force and severity descended upon the
city yesterday afternoon shortly after
six O'Clock, doing great damage to
property and trees. Dense clouds hoy
cred oyer the city. The rain fell in
great volumes, being accompanied by
heavy winds Of almost frightful yeloei--
ty. After the rain had sub
sided the wind continued to
blow with great fireceness caus-
ing great many people to
be badly frightened and at the same
time doing great damage to property.
The storm came at an hour when
business men were up town, and MANY
were, of course concerned about their
families. People confined themselves
as closely as possible in doors, as it
was exceedingly dangerous to walk
the streets, with trees, boughs and
timber flying and falling in every direc-
ton. Fayetteville street was deserted
while the storm ragged and the few that
ventured out had much difficulty in
keeping on their feet. After the wind
storm had abated in fury to some ex-
tent many people who were caught in
doors yentured out with umbrellas.
Their exit was short lied for they soon
returned with torn and demolished um-
brellas. A gentleman stood near. the
posfoffice and counted at least fifty
umbrellas turned wrong side out
FAYETTEVILLE street presented a rag
ged appearance after the gale Street
awnings were wrecked and they hung
-. ~ ~
fashion. Signs were torn from their
former positions, dry goods boxes over
turned and barrels rolled ont in the
street.
The residence and suburban streets
were even IN worse condition, if pos
silble. The sidewalks were blocked
with falling limbs and trees, and in
many instances the walks were filed
with SO many inpediments that pedes-
TRANS took 10 the streets. From all
parts Of the city reports come last
night of trees blown down. In Capt.
Ashes yard, ten handsome elms We're
blown down.
On Hillsboro street and Newbern
Avenue many trees suffered and failing
limbs blocked up the sidewalks.
The big Mckinley and Hobart Re-
publican banner, which has been float
ing gayly from Republican headquar
tiers was wrecked. IT is not thought 10
be 50 badly damaged. but that ii can
he repaired The wind tore it loose
from the Academy of Music, and last
night il was dangling from a telephone
pole.
Hundreds Of panes of glass, some
Of them large and costly were knocked
out in buildings up town. Several
buildings are reported 10 have been UNI
rooted The tin roofing was torn from
one side OF the market house. and
blown in Wilmington street. The roof
ing TO the Marlborough and Park hotels
and Adams store. on Wilmington
street were damaged.
AS is usually the case, fire alarm,
telegraph and. telephone wires were
inconFenienced BY the storm. The fire
alarm wires were so badly damaged
that an alarm could not be turned in.
The city was without electric lights
for while. The damage done the
wires was rapidly repaired.
Fences Jared badly, and several cir
Gus bill boards were caught by the
breeze. BY II o'clock the wind storm
had abated.
Weather Officer Won Herman, when
asked about the storm, said that it
was only hatful of wind The storm
was one of great intensity, but not
unusually severe. The wind blew at
a velocity of 26 miles an hour, though
the velocity in Raleigh has reached as
high as SO miles per hour. That was
several years ago when the trees at
st. Mary's were blown down.
The storm originated in Mexico, and
has been coming up the, coast for sew
eral days. Mr.. Won Herman stated thar
the centre of the storm was between
Charlotte and Raleigh. The rainfall
was ITO inches.
A telepone message from Method to-
night stated that the storm played
havoc there. The smoke stack to
fuckers gin and a large fence were
toppled over. A new gin house which
was already framed and in the course
of construction and a frame dwelling
were also blown to the ground and
demolished.
AN ADVERTISER WHO CRIES
ttFyNOTfGH