The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-08-25
Destructive THUNDER STORM
Two Barns Set on Fire by Lightning.
Roads and Fields Washed.

l AhO obOiui VI hOiudl CfeulHP was OEG Vi
the most severe we have had for many years.
| Coming as it did after day of extreme sultri-
ness the refreshing breeze accompanying it
was welcome to sweltering humanity; but the
glare in the sky, at various points, indicated
| that it had brought desolation and loss to
more than ore farmer. The lightning display
was grand and terrific. Flash succeeded flash
and the sharp crash of thunder was at times
almost deafening. The storm was more
severe, perhaps, in the region east and west
of Bel Air than anywhere else. 1t lasted only
a short time.
Geo. Archer's Barn d. Contents Burned
A large barn, belonging to Mr.. George
Archer, near wilma, was struck by lightning
between and 0 o'clock, and the next moment
flames burst out of the windows and doors,
The entire building being on fire. Mr.. Archer
had time only to save his horses, but every
thing else in the barn was consumed. The
contents consisted of 80 tons OF hay, a large
quantity Of straw, &C bushels of seed wheat, a
horse power, cutting box, grain drill, plow,
hay fork with rope and fixtures, and all of Mr..
Aicher's harness, of every kiud. His cattle,
fortunately, were out in the field and escaped
sIhe barn was new one, 40 by so feet in size,
with an annex IA by 80 feet, and cost, when
built, several years ago, at least 50 200. MIR.
Archer's wagons and other vehicles were in a
wagon house, separated some distance from
the barn, and escaped destruction.
The barn was insured in the Hartford Mutual
Company for 81, 200 and its contents for 81, 500
Even with this Mr.. Archer's loss will be con-
he will experience. On Tuesday morning he
had 10 borrow a set of harness with which to
haul tomatoes TO his canning house.
SkipWith COaIe-s Barn Destroyed.
At half past six o'clock Mr.. Skipwith Coale,
proprietor of CleImont Mills store, stepped
outside to look at the storm. vivid flash of
lightning came and Mr.. Coale says tall of
fire appeared to roll down the roof of his
house. An awful crash Of thunder accom-
panied the phenomena and be was thrown
violently to the ground. lie was unhurt,
however, but as he arose he saw smoke issuing
from his barn. lie ran towards it, but before
he could reach it flames burst out from all
parts of the building, which WAS burned to the
grounds, with its contents. The building was
lis feet long and contained stalls for 50 COWS,
number OF box stalls, and a silo holding 800
tons. The contents consisted OF 20 tons of
hay. a large quantity of straw ard 500 bundles
of fodder. Mr. Coale's herd OF valuable Jer-
sey COWS were lied up at the barn for milking,
but had been turned out into the field only 20
minutes tcfore the barn was struck. So eud-
den and fierce were the flames that Mr.. Coale
believes every animal would have persisted if
they had been in their accustomed places.
Damage ut IInvre dc Grace.
The storm at Havre de Grace was of unusual
violence, the rain falling in torrents, ACCOM-
panied by perfect gale and rapidly repeated
flashes of lightning. But little damage was
done. Two houses were struck by lightning,
one on Washington street, belonging to Mrs.
Rose SumptidS, and the other on Union ave-,
belonging to sdr. Walter Weber. The latter
was damaged to a considerable extent. The
roof of the front building was struck, tearing
a large hole IN it and part of the chimney
was knocked off. The family were much
The steamer Susquehsnns had arrived with
an excursion party on board bound from Port
Deposit to Betterton. She was moored to her
pier, and when the full force tf the storm
burst upon her, the pile, TO which one of her
hawsers was attached, pulled up and the other
hawser parted, the steamer being carried out
into the river. Several hundred people were
on board and the greatest confusion ersued.
Her bow was headed to the gale, and sufficient
steam wss soon developed TO enable her to
hold her way, and all danger was averted.
The bugeye Boznan was near the Battery,
bound for Havre de Grace with a cargo Of to-
matoes, when sic was struck and had her
main sail and iib blown to pieces.
Damage at Other Places.
The large assembly tent at Camp Endeavor
was blown down and so badly injured as to
render it unfit for further use as a tent. 1t
can probably be made available as an awning.
The boys, nearly fifty in number, had sought
shelter under it and were greatly alarmed, but
fortunately, none were injured. After The
storm had spent its fury they We're mashaled
by Major Curry and marched to Mr. Garrett
Amofs' place, where they were cared for dur
ing the night.
Six green houses, belonging 10 Mc'srs.
Fischer & Ekss, were destroyed at Garden
vile, Baltimore county. They were insured
in the Haiford Mutual Company for 81, 700.