Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-08-08
WORST STORM on RECORD.
Within Hall Hour More Rain and Hail Iell
Iian ia Two Previous Months
Awful Devastation.

Yesterday afternoon Lewistown
and vicinity was oycrtaken by the
most severe hail and rain storm on
record, many men who had been in
Montana for quarter OF a century
having no recollection OF its equal.
Preceded by II strong wind, rain and
hail fell in sheets and soon the streets
and, In fact, the entire country was
covered with u raging torrent. 1t
seemed for few moments az though
it must have been a cloud burst.
Several crossings were swept a
square or more from place, fences
were torn down and carried away,
all flower stalks without protection
were stripped, vegetable gardens
were ruined and the creek rose to a
height such as Is experienced during
the early spring. when the winter \
snow Is subjected to the first hot rays
OF the sun and warm rains. The
coulee, which extends from Main
street south, was running ten feet
deep and all manner OF rubbish, as
well as cord wood, was carried To
opposite the Judith Basin bank and
after the storm the street at that
point was covered with nearly two
feet of hail stones.
The first hail stones which fell were
very large but later they were small,
though so thick that it was hardly
possible to see across the street
Sidewalks were ankle deep with hail
and many walks were pontoon
bridges. Several citizens were pre-.
vented from reaching their homes to
look after affairs there, as it was i'm.
possible to cross the streets without
boats or hip boots, and altogether
the town presented much Of the ap.
pearance as the path of a cyclone.
Postmaster STEPHENS. who was re.
turning from toward Gilt Edge in the
midst OF the storm, said that one
place In the road had two feet oi
water running across 1t, and above
Frank Days residence, Little Casino,
a few hours before but a rivulet, oc.
cupied the entire bottom and in one
place the water was at least two feet
and half deep. Cellars were com.
pletely filled and the total damage
was great. The finest flo wer gardens
just at this season in their glory
are total wreck.
Az near as can be learned this
morning the extent of the rain storm
was wide and everywhere it was Sc
we're. The hail belt, however, was lin
tied. 1t extended as far south o.
Lewistown as Cottonwood creek
but not to Beaver. On the east ever
heavier hail than fell in Lewisto W n ID
reported at the old !. j. ranch l;
miles out. On the north and west
hail only fell few miles beyond town
In the section covered by hail crops
are beaten fiat and will be a tota
loss.
The local weather observer reports
that in little more than half an houl
2.53 inches of rain and hail fell, NOR,
than In the entire months OF June and
July.
At the power plant OF the Citizens
Electric Co. the water from a coule,
swept down against the power house
beating In the door and covering th,
floor and machinery with from foul
to six inches OF mud. 1t was impOs
sible to have the repairs made ant
lights turned on until late In the even
ing.
The storm roseirOm the
swept quickly to almost west and Z
partial repetition about . O'Clock
came from the south.
Q a STo7IA.
Bear. the 1lhs Kind You Haze llaays Bought