Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1911-07-07
Terrific Storm

L up so hlgn, ana nestled among
: the hills and mountains, Highland
has always enjoyed comparative
re immunity from severe storms, but
the conduct of the elements on July
4th was such as to open our eyes
and remind us that Highlands
proximity to the clouds is no guar
antee of friendly relations at all
y. times. In fact, if anybody "ever5
ee saw the like" he has not reported
since the memorable day above
y mentioned.
For three or four days preceding
it the 18th the temperature had been
Unusually high--the mercury reach
n ing sc in the shade--which is top
{ notch for us, md, while close OBJ
- servers looked for violent break
|. Up Tssait should come, few ex
orNever witnessed a storm
50 severe as the one that terminal
cd the parching heat and drought.
The storm clouds formed and
, shifted rapidly, and the first warn
ing note at Monterey came from a
5 clear sky over head, at II M, a
bolt of lightning demolishing a tree
near the village. The electrical
feature Of the storm was most
marked and continued until late in
the afternoon, heavy downpours of
rain coming at close intervals, COM
pletely flooding the side-ditches
and giving the town a thorough
cleansing.
Hail fell in small quantity, but
did no damage.
The most thrilling and terrifying
experience was with the two thous-
and people who had gathered in
/ Crabbottom for the picnic given
by the Odd Fellows. There the
storm came later about 2 o'clock
but a terrible wind added to the
damage and horror of the scene in
! that Valley. It is regarded as lit
tie short of miracle that many
persons were not killed by one or
more of the death-dealing agencies
ut work.
In spite of the fact that lightning
struck twice, and two or more trees
were blown down ri ghtin the midst
Of the vast throng, no lives were
} lost and no one was injured. Two
horses were knocked down by the
lightning, but were not killed. The
tent under which the hobby-horses
| were being operated was blown
, down on the heads of several hun
dred people who had taken shelter
u from the rain, and the excitement
.lNan only be imagined. The squirm-
i - mass Of drenched humanity
! alhgaout from under the fallen
ts sen, women, children, babies
Sc ssbut nobody hurt. There
No. up in the fury of the
Nsld amid falling limbs,
A.ssier, lightning, rain,
ere was a general
!ssae tall timber.
Wonlell & ssare-headed
l. and drerss ssis sESaSer and thither
e crying for help and seeking shelter,
' while some prayed and cried for
/ mercy. The very dearest and
II SWEETEST of millinery adornment
IS was rendered shapeIess and limp,
while fril md furbelows were
lie converted ksae bedraggled
he mass, clinging to the wearer with
l. an unwonted and uncomfortable
t friendliness and tenacity
's If there was laughing done, and
a. doubtless there was, it was when
&c all were safe at home later on, and
Or there was doubtless thanksgiving,
~, ~ too, in many homes.
10 So far, no loss of life or property
n has been reported, though scores
b. of trees were torn 10 pieces by the
1g lightning, and, in some sections, up
., rooted by the wind:
lr The rain did thousands of dollars
worth of good in the county, the
e. hay-crop being cut in half at best
on This down-pour was timely, how
In ever, and with a good season from
Oh now on, the outlook will brighten
nv and hope revive.