Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-09-17
HEAVY ELECTRICAL STORM
Damage Done In Berkeley County
Friday Evening.
BARN STRUCK AT SWAN POND
Building Owned By John williamson Is De-
sroytd MI. Clifton Slightly
Damaged.


tinsburg and adjacent portions of
Berkeley county FRIDAY night, and
considerable damage is reported from
several sections as a consequence. The
storm began shortly before O'Clock
with a steady downpour Of rain.
which grew in volume for about an
hour. the climax coming about
O'Clock with brilliant display sof
electricity in the heavens and the
heavy boom and crash of the thunder
that followed every vivid flash OF
lightning
The storm swept down from the
north. carrying with il a surprising
fall of hail, which in several sections
did slight damage to trees and fruit.
The heaviest fall of hail was just west
and southeast Of Martinsbrrg. where
MANY of the icv paticles were as large
as hazelnuts. More damage was done,
however, by the lightning than anv
thing else. The rain was blessing
to the agricultural sections. as much
of the fruit was suffering from lack
of moisture ia the earth. After pass
ing over Martinsburg the storm veered
off TO the southeast sweeping over
Shepherdstown with unGbted force. but
fortunately doing little damage. At
Darkesyille there was scarcely enough
ram to settle the dust Ar Cherry
Run the storm was the heaviest of the
season, but no damage of any conse.
quence is reported from the rain and
hail
DEMOLISHED FURNITURE.
The family of Mr. Charles Strouse,
who reside at Cherry Run, along the
main line of the Baltimore d Ohio
west of this citv, had an exceedingly
narrow escape with their lives during
the electrical storm Yesterday even
ing. The family was eating supper
at the time the house was struck,
but none Of them were injured.
The bolt struck the gable end of Il Q
house and almost demolished the roof.
The chimney was torn down and one
side of the house, and almost every
piece of furniture III the building was
completely demolished.
In the room in which the family
were eating all of the furniture, with
the exception of the table, was de-
stroyed. large curtain directly back
of the table was set on fire bv the
lightning. bat the flames were put
out before any great damaged was
done. From some cause the structure
did not catch fire. During the time
the havoc was being wrought in the
structure, the members of the house.
hold were compelled to remain in the
house for fear that they would be
killed il they attempted to leave, and
in fact were unable TO move ON ac-
count of fear. The damage to the
building was great.
DESTROYED BY LIGHTNING.
The barn of Mr.. John Williamson
located on his farm near Swan Pond,
this county, was struck by lightning
last Friday and DESTROYED. The men,
bers of the household were in the
house when the bolt struck the barn,
setting it aire, and it was through
their prompt action that the stock and
greater part Of the grain in the barn
were saved before the structure was
burned TO the ground. A large amount
of hay, some grain and some farming
implements were destroyed with the
structure. The fire illuminated the
sky in that section, and it was not
long before large crowd.had congre-
gated at the scene. The loss was par
TALLY covered bv insurance with the
firm of Alexander and Trammell, of
this city.
DWELLING HOUSE DAMAGED.
The dwelling house of Mrs Eliza
Rentch, on East Race street, was
slightly damaged by being struck by
belt of lightning. A number of
squares of slate were torn off and
the side Of the house was damaged.
The bolt entered the ground at the
side of the house, and LETT hole
large enough to bury person. None
of the OCCUPANTS of the house were
injured The loss was fully covered
with the insurance firm of Alexander
and Trammel.
ANOTHER BARN STRUCK.
The large barn on the farm of Mr.
George Myers, near Tomahawk, this
county, was also struck by lightning
Friday, and damaged. The damage
consisted of the demolishing Of a
portion of the roof and one side of
the building. The loss was covered
by insurance with the firm Of Alex.
ander and Trammell.
Mt. CLIFTON STRUCK.