Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1911-06-08
STORM At FOREST HILL
The Village to the North In Path Of
Sundays Storm
As VIEWED BY correspondent
Store Fronts Smashed In windows Broke and
Crops Ruined

Sunday, June 4 will long be remem-
bered by the residents of Forest Hill
and vicinity as the day OF the great
hail storm. We have often heard peo-
pie remark, and perhaps have our
selves said in regard to some extrem-
ity Of weather or storm: Il never be-
fore saw anything like it, yet some
incident, or some item OF news of long
ago we run across now and then, will
prove us incorrect, and remind us OF
similar incidents of the past. How
ever to day, June 5, | have heard
many people remark in regard to this
storm, "I have seen nothing like in my
life" And | believe them. l believe
this storm is unique. in that there has
never been in this section, in the mem
ory Of anyone, another just like it.
The storm came about five o'clock
P. NJ, and found nearly all unprepar-
ed, aye, and many away from home.
Yet it came not without warning.
The constantly muttering thunders in
the distance, and the heavy bank OF
clouds in the west, pushing up steadily
against strong easterly wind ought
TO have reminded us of coming events.
But no one expected such an outburst
until the onslaught Of the elements
was upon Us.
The bombardment was terrific.
Great Jumps of ice, some as large as
goose eggs, crashed with fearful force
against whatever lay in their pathway
through the air Window glass was
shvered to atoms. roofs beaten to pie
ceS, fruit and other trees demolished,
crops destroyed and untold damage
done.
The ice Jumps continued 70 fall for
about twenty minutes, after which the
people went forth TO see what damage
had been done. and to make such re-
pairs as might be found necessary for
the night. All windows on the north
side of buildings had been smashed in,
but their places were soon taken by
boards, old doors. rugs, carpets, blank
ets. any convenient article which could
be promptly utilized TO close the olon
ings.
To the average resident OF the vii
lage the damage is to be found in the
broken windows, damaged roofs and
cave troughs, and ruined gardens,
fruit and plants But to the business
interests the loss is greater
The gravel roof OF the implement
building. belonging to NJ J. Perrigo,
was broken up allowing the water to
pour through into the carriage repos-
itory on the upper floor, from thence
finding its way TO the hardware store
on the lower floor, and uniting with
what came through the demolished
windows, gave the hustling proprietor
some trouble to find way out for it.
/. b. Leonard also suffered heavy
loss. His store front being demol-
i-hed, the hail and water doing dam
age 20 stock. etc. Also the ,kylight
above the room occupied by the Post
Office and telephone exchange gave
way and a torrent of ice and water
poured through, making our friends in
that establishment hustle around some
to take care of articles belonging TO
Uncle Samuel Mr. Leonard also had
produce stored in buildings here where
windows were broken by the storm,
thus his loss is greater than some.
The building occupied by Cage
Wood in which he has large stock
Of general merchandise. was badly
damaged The front was broken in,
and his show cases being exposed
were also demolished, and their con
tents damaged. Being in the store at
the time OF the storm, Mr. Wood was
struck about the face by flying glass
and slightly injured his loss is quite
heavy.
The farmers OF that section have
suffered great losses in the storm. To-
day, June ;. the writer has been out
over the country adjacent TO Forest
Hill, driving in all directions and finds
the conditions OF buildings much the
same as in the village. namely win
dows broken and furniture and fix
lures damaged
The sole theme of conversation is
"the great storm" and the conditions
it lett behind Although covering a
tract Of country six or seven miles
wide. and many miles in length, its
greatest fury was spent upon strip
about three miles wide
In this belt wheat is entirely des-
troyed. This crop was in excellent
condition, and far advanced for this
season OF the year just how far the
farmers may utilize this crop as the
ground it occupies in retrenching their
loss depends upon conditions which
each must work out for himself as far
as they come under his control. Some
fields may be utilized for pasture. or
If not too badly beaten down could be