The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-20

R&tn and Lightning sweep. Over
Ralefgh-Peopie and Prop.
erty Danaaged-Hou>es In Low See
lions Flooded The Dr~erLsr~ Cap
tured.
Messengsr EHreau.

Raleiga, y. C, May IS. 1898.
The most severe electrical Storm on
record here. and with The greatest re-
corded rainfall swept over Ral4gh
last night. There were really two
storms, with half Al hours interval.
The first began a. 10 O'Clock. but The
worst one began "a l. o'clock. Mos
OF the rainfall was in rfrrty-iva min
utes. The rainfall was So inches
Nothing like i; vas ever known in this
section The lightning struck severtl
houses il the city. Il ais s:ruck the
main building a. the fair grounds in
which were five companies % the
Second regiment Private John E.
Lane Of Morgant0n, vas stunned for
several minutes. He was uniar a sur
geon's treatment for half an hour.
lightning also smashed d window in
the lower floor Of the same building.
Some men. near by felt the shock.
Among the tents Of the First ragi-
ment camp there are scores OF pine
trees. Three Of these were struck one
in rear Of Colonel Armfield's tent.
One soldier was knocked out Of a chair
and several Of the sentries felt slight
shocks. All Of them kept their posts
during he storm.
The damage in the city, to streets
and 20 buildings IN low places. is con
siderable, At TWO or three places per-
son had 70 swim - get out os their
houses. There was a great fall Of hail
Lands are badly washed. The city
park was damaged. One mouse in the
suburbs was partially wrecked by
lightning. The torn appears to have
came here directly from Norfolk. The
lightning made almost a continuous
blaze for an hour, and the thunder
never ceased. For many a year the
storm Will be remembered.
Judge Walter Clark in invited to
make an address before the national
association of railway commissions at
Denver next year.
The Morning Post was unable TO ap-
pear today owing ID the flooding of its
press room last night. The water was
several feet deep. The basement Of
Barnes Bros. state printers, was also
flooded and heavy damage done by
mud and water 20 paper stock and
printed mater.
The press Of the death Of
Ensign Worth Bagley stated that he
was greatly d~isfigured by the burst
ing shell on the WinslOw: but happily
this was untrue. His face Is not dis
figured and there is a pronounced
mile. There is some swelling of the
features and a little discOloratiOn, also
a Slight scratch on one cheek.
Invitations are out 10 the commence
ment exercises Of the State Normal
and Industrial college at Greensboro,
May 21st to oath. Rev. L. Nv. CraW-
ford breaches the commencement ser
mon and United States Secretary OF
Agriculture Wilson delivers the adj
dress.
\ The railway commission was in SEES
sion here today. 1t took up only rOu-
tine business, the chief case, that as
to reduced passenger rates, going over
until Tune Sth.
The two men of the Goldsboro com
pany of the First regiment who de-
serted last week were captured yester-
day and were brought here this after
| noon by the sheriff. The sentence viii
be light, it is said, as they were cOun,
tryGnen. who did not realize the enor-
nifty of their offenSe.
Six companies of the Second regi'
ment were mustered in up to las
| evening and two more today. They art
| from G~oldsboro, Wilmington, Gastonia
| Nantahala, TarbOrO, LenOir, Ruther'
| fordlton and Lumber Bridge.
There is some fear hal the Green.
vile and Burlington companies may
| fail, but Col. Burgwyn thinks the reg.
iment will be complete Iby day after
| tomorrow.