Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-20
Stormy Times.

Loot OuhooJ "oo q otOAbJ oog H Aiio
section. In the early morning thunder
storm accompanied by heavy showers
passed over, giving the ground good
soaking. In the evening about five
O'Clock one OF the fiercest-lookiug storms
that we have ever seen dubbed up from
the west. Warning notes of heavy thun-
der announced its coming, and soon an
unbroken rampant of dense clouds, shad-
ing from vicious appearing green to deep
black swiftly advanced. This cloud was
preceded by long fringe OF vapor that
moved with fearful rapidity and present.
ed an ominous appearance. The storm
broke with a tornado-like wind and a
flood Of rain that beat vehemently wher-
ever if struck. With the rush of the
wind, the pelting of the rain and the roar
OF thunder came vivid flashes of lightning
while the crashing OF trees as they were
blown over or lost part of their branches
added to the awe-inspiring spectacle.
The damage in this immediate neigh
borhood was comparatively slight. Sew
eral of the trees in the Episcopal church
yard lost large branches, and pretty
maple in front of H. NJ. Turner's house
just opposite was broken off short. A
big locust in front of NJ. E. Spohn's home
was destroyed Through the country
around about fences were blown down,
trees uprooted or broken off here and
there, and some injury done to buildings.
The crops were not damaged very much,
although some OF the corn was washed
and wheat blown down bit.
In Washington county, Md, just across
the river from Jefferson county, the storm
was more of a tornado than in this sec
ton, and its path was Strewn with uproot-
ed trees and damaged buildings. The
barn on the farm OF the late ChaS. B. Line
was entirely demolished by the fierce
wind. J. J. Lyme, in describing the storm,
said that it was so terrifying that the
family took refuge in the basement OF the
house. Hearing crash, they looked to-
ward the barn and saw il twisted apart
and the timbers thrown in every direc-
ton, hardly one piece being left fastened
to another. Mr.. Lyme said that the cloud
seemed to be literally boiling as it turned
over and over. Fortunately no person
was injured nor was any OF the live stock
hurt, the foundation walls preventing the
timbers from crushing the horses. About
a dozen large trees near the dwelling OF
Samuel S. Stouffer, in the same vicinity,
were blown down.
There was some damage at the farm OF
Ohio J. Poffenberger, near Antietam
Station. The corn-crib and wagon-Shed
was blown from its foundation and turned
partly around, and part of the roof was
blown from the barn. A number OF
shade trees about the house were blown
down, and he also lost a number OF apple
trees. The orchards in the path of the
storm were all damaged slightly.
AT Ripon, this county, the storm was
also very severe. The large frame hall
erected there some months ago was par
TALLY demolished, and many fruit trees
were blown down on the Crittenden
place and in the orchard OF Daniel Heltle-
bower.
The storm swept the cities of Wasll-
inGon and Baltimore, blowing down
many trees and damaging buildings. In
Baltimore three young women were walk
ing along the street, one Of them carrying
an umbrella with a metal ferule, when
lightning struck the umbrella, knocked
all three of the girls to the ground and
burned them very badly, one so seriously
that she may die.
The storm extended from Ohio TO the
eastern coast, aud it is estimated that the
loss in Ohio alone will reach 81 100000.
At GAINESVILLE the steeple OF ST. Thomas
Catholic Church crashed through the
roof OF the church while mass was being
said, killing the officiating priest and two
other persons, besides injuring number.
AT Sand Plains, near ParkerSburg, W.
Va, Mrs. Emma Eisman was struck and
killed by lightning while standing at the
window OF the Methodist Church.