The San Francisco call., 1898-02-08
Much Damage Done to Buildings and to
 Crops.
Streets. Covered to Depth of Two Inches by an ley
 Layer.
Window Panes Destroyed and Shingles Cracked by the Pelting
 From the Skies.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

RED BLUFF, Feb. 7.-Red Bluff was visited by a heavy hailstorm at o'clock this afternoon. None so severe had been known here before. The ground was covered with hailstones measuring from one to one and half inches in diameter, making solid layer more than two inches in thick ness throughout the town. The ditches and crevasses are filled. The storm came from the east, and there is hardly a window pane on the east sides of the buildings left in the town. Consider able damage has been done to the buildings by displacing shingles from the roofs. To what extent this storm reached and what damage has been done in the country cannot be told at this time.
 STOCKTON. Feb. 7.-Wheat-raisers and fruit growers in this section are jubilant over crop prospects, which have been frightened greatly by the rain which began Saturday, and which continued with slight intermissions up to l o'clock to-day. Since the begin ming of the storm there has fallen .65 of an inch. This is sufficient to give grain a good start, and unless long dry spell follows there will be an inn mense harvest.
 MERGED, Feb. 7.-The long-looked for rain came as a shower of blessings to the farming community on Satur- day evening and the farmers are ac- cordingly happy. On Saturday evening the rainfall amounted to .27 of an inch and on Monday it amounted to .49 of an inch. The wind is blowing a gale from the south, and the prospects are good for more rain tonight.
 MONTEREY, Feb. "A pouring rain began here about midnight last night, continuing until o'clock this morning. The entire precipitation was .12 of an inch. Advices from outlying districts state that this breaking of the drought was boon to ranchmen and cattlemen, coming just in time to save the hay and other crops. Grass was especially benefited by the rain, and many hun dreds of cattle saved.
 BAKERSFIELD, Feb. Tt began raining here at 4 o'clock this afternoon and by 5 o'clock .26 of an inch had fallen. It was just the kind of rain that was needed--warm and gentle. h. dications are that more rain will fall tonight. This makes 3.04 inches for the season. The grass on the plains and foothills had just started. This shower vii cause it to shoot up rap idly.
 | SALINAS, Feb. 7.-The long-looked- for rain has come at last and every one is happy. The precipitation has been general all over the county and enough rain has fallen to insure crops, provid- ing1 there come the customary spring | showers The rainfall in Salinas amounted to .66; Kings City, A; Brad ley 50; Paso Robles, .58; San Lucas, .52; Chualar, 50; San Miguel, IS; Pa i,,l ro more rain.
 POMONA, Feb. Tt has been rain ing in Pomona Valley and throughout
 this region all this day. The indica-
 tions are that 1t will rain through to- night and tomorrow. The farmers, or chardists and sugar-beet growers who
 have been somewhat blue are happy. :. 1 HOLLISTER, Feb. 7.-The rainfall i for the storm here was a haif-1nch. It greatly benefits feed and crops. The
 weather Is warm and threatens more rain.
 LOS ANGELES, Feb. "A gentle l rain commenced shortly after midnight last night and has been falling steadily
 since It is hardly more than a heavy | mist. but the clouds are becoming more ] threatening and the expectation is that l Southern California is to have gen. l eral copious downpour, which Is | greatly needed
 TEMPLETON, Feb. 7.-Much-needed l rain commenced last night and contin- ued all day. Farmers feel better. Much
 more is needed to assure crop. The | total for the season is $40 inches. Last
 season to date it was 11.13
 VISALIA, Feb. 7.-tain commenced i falling on Saturday night and the fall LID to this evening was .76 Of an inch
 making 3.5S inches for the season. Rain was badly needed and will make the grain grow.