The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-01
IMMENSE HAIL STONES
SOME OF THEM AS LARGE AS A MANS
HEAD.

for lce--Extent Of Damage.

for lce--Extent Of Damage.
Fairport, N. c., May 31.-(Special) -
This section was visited yesterday after
noon by most remarkable
tempest of hail" The storm
was from the north, accom-
panied by wind and rain, presaged by
continuous distant thunder and lightning
early in the morning, followed by excess
sive heat, The storm came on at 4
o'clock and lasted for five minutes and
was notable for the size of the hali.
many stones being as large as man
head Upon striking the earth they eX-
noded as it were, into particles OF most
Uniform size and shape; few, If any, be-
ing smaller than hens eggs, and most
generally ffattened. with rough edges
and plainly showing a confused mass of
small hail stones which were evidently
gathered and compressed by some power
fnl atmospheric action. This feat Of ma
tnre greatly reduced the amount of
damage, causing the hail to fall Mt
intervals of several feet, instead Of
covering the face Of the earth, as hail
of ordinary size would have done. There
was no fall smaller than hickory-nut.
Where these "projectiles' struck they
| we're effectual in the work of dcstruc-
tion. Half grown peaches were split
in halves. Growing crops were buried
in the earth. And yet it is most re-
markable that the damage to vegetation
was so small.
| am unable to report the extent of
country covered by the storm, or extent
of damage TO growing crops, but THINK
thp hail was local, and damage not Sc
riOuS.
The peach crop was large, and the loss
will probably consist in the fruit that
was beaten off the trees, for every peach
that was struck fell, leaving enough to
insure an abundant crop of perfect
fruit.
have stored away several water
] buckets filled with hail. several days
supply Of ICE!
! No injury to man or stock has been
reported. though | fear many casuaii-
ties must have occurred.
DAMAGE IN HALIFAX.
Littleton. n. c., May 31-(Special.)-
The most destructive hail storm in
thirty-fye years. say the old inhabitants,
PASSED near Litteton yesterday after
noon AT panacea blinds were destroy
ed. 40 window panes were broken. In
the same neighborhood a horse was
killed and some roofs were demolished.
Cotton that had been chopped is ruined.
gardens destroyed, and trees stripped Of
their foliage. Stones are reported two
inches in diameter. Farmers are dis
spirited, and will have to plant again.
DAMAGE IN FRANKLIN.
Louisburg. n. G., May 31.-(Special.)-
Hail did great damage throughout this
section yesterday afternoon About i
o'clock pieces fully the size of eggs began
to fall. 1t continued for nearly half
hour but not continuously. The course
Of the storm was from N. w. to ). Il.
'Jne piece picked up measured inches
in diameter.
IN HALIFAX.
Scotland Neck, May 31.-(Special) -
The hail storm here was the worst for
some years Some thought the hail stones
as large as goose eggs. An hour ana ii
half after the storm hail was lying IN
| drifts. and the stones were as large as
walnnts. AT Tillery buildings were nm
roofed. The son of Mr.. w. III. Carter
was caught in the storm; his horse ran
away with him and he was found in The
road after the storm was over. The last
news said it was thought he would die
HI AT Spring Hill, village six miles from
Scotland Neck, the shingles on the roofs
of houses were beaten through, windows
were crashed through and there was Sc
rious destruction on every hand. The
fields seemed as clean as if they had been
freshly plowed.
Your correspondent was on the. af-
ternoon train from Weldon, and had an
opportunity to witness the result OF the
storm for miles
AT Spring Hill, Mr.. J. r. Weeks, Il
merchant who has been suffering year
or more from heart trouble became 50
excited that he died soon after the storm.
The roof Of his house was almost torn
to pieces and the windows were almost
| al broken out. He was good man and
greatly beloved in the community.
lhe storm seemed to follow the river
. Further down Il colored man was killed
i under wrecked building, and Mr.. w
If. ,Tosey, of Scotland Neck, lost several
horses and mules on a river farm. A
gin house was blown down op.
Mr. b. l. Allsbrooll also az aorse
Mr.. Il. M. Johnson. Il farme few
miles from town. was eaugh n the
field and was carried some distance 10y
the wind, and his face and head were
badly cut by the hail.
The storm must have struck the State
farm near Tillery.
At the same hour n severe storm
passed few miles sout'- Of Scotland
Neck, doing exceedingly great damage
by hail and wind; but Scotland Neck
escaped. The hail on the north came
within three or four miles and there was
a strong wind here, but no damage.
IN DAVIDSON.
Lexington, n. G., May 31.-(special.l
lightning struck the Hunt House and
Knocked off one chimney top. Fortunate
IL no one was hurt The thunder shook
the very earth. Hail in great abundance
fell. In about a minute the ground was