Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1912-06-29
HEAVY RAIN STORM
FROM THE WEST
Cellars Flooded and Gardens Ruined
Lightning Plays Pranks--Preeipi-
tatlon 2 ga Inches Wednesday.


One of the heaviest rain storms in
years passed over Martinsburg We'd
nesday evening, doing much damage
In this city. partly on account OF in
adequate sewerage while in a portion
of Berkeley county fields were washed
and low lands resembled lakes and
rivers
The storm came up from the west
at 345 o'clock and for nearly an hour
the rain fell in torrents, accompanied
by unusually heavy thunder and sharp
lightning. the storm ceasing at ESQ.
In that time the precipitation was
ga inches, according to the report of
Weather Observer George w. Van
Metre. the greatest. perhaps, since the
Johnstown food in 1889.
The Tuscarora creek was soon bank
full. and later the Opequon overfowed
its banks, inunadting the meadows and
low lands for miles along and running
crops.
The path of the storm lay between
Darkesville on the south and Spring
Mills and Falling Waters on the north,
at which places there was only sprlnk
lie, while Hedgesville only got show.
r The storm spent its force about
Kearneysville on the east and the sec
ton north of there. no rain falling at
all at Shenandoah Junction. But west
OF this city and across the mountain in
a portion of Back Creek Valley the
rainfall was very heavy and the dam
age to crops and fields corresponding
ly great.
Cellars Flooded.
In this city the storm played havoc
with gardens and back yards in many
places, some OF them being covered
with as much as four feet of water.
The result was that many cellars were
flooded, In several instances being fill-
ed clear 10 the floor above As intI-
mated above, this state or things was
partly due 10 the inadequacy OF the
sewers waste water water pipes. These
artificial drains soon filed and the wa
ter was backed back. flooding gardens
and cellars This was particularly
true along Maple avenue between the
postofice and City Hospital, and on
West King street between the Y. M.
C. A. building and the Episcopal
church, In which latter section "a
inch pipe is supposed to carry of a
river of water On South Water street.
between John and Stephen. gardens,
cellars and lower floors of houses were
also flooded.
Among the many food sufferers
were DR.. Barnes, and Messrs. l.. M.
Bender Bates Minghini. Frank Wean-
ing and Horace Tabb, on South Ma
pie avenue, and KS pharmacy and ~.
G. Rudy's bakery on West King street.
between College street and Maple ave-
nue., whose cellars were all filled, or
nearly so. While Mr.. Rudy's bakery
In the rear of the Gerling building was
flooded with only about six inches of
water he managed to hustle flour and
other things to a safe place before any
thing was damaged.
The first floor OF the weaving shop
of the Crawford Wooden Mills was
also flooded and the operatives had to
leave before they got wet feet.
Lishtnins's Franks
Lightning struck the house of Mr..
James Lemaster, 61S North Third
street, and tore big hole in the roof,
but the inmates escaped harm. In
sured in the II. l.. Alexander agency.
A bolt struck one OF the large shade
trees at Mr.. L. p. Licklider's, opposite
the c. v. station. and shattered 1t.
Lighting struck the chimney OF Mr..
]. w. Cookus' house, a mile west OF
town, damaging the property to the
amount of about $50. Insured in the
Chas. v. Pownall agency.
Some boys were out hunting frogs
about the south quarries. when little
Sam Thompson, South Queen street.
was stunned by lightning as he was
hurrying with his gun to place of
safety.
Chickens Drowned.
Many chickens were drowned, espe-
cially young ones, as q result of the
storm. Among the heaviest losers in
town we're Mr.. George w. Appleby,
Winchester avenue. who lost about
200; Mr.. G. w. A. Wolfes, North
Spring street, who lost "A and his next
door neighbor, Mr.. Reuben Delaney,
20, and Mr.. Bates Minghini, South Ma
pie avenue g.
Muddy Water to Drink
For the first time in years the peo-
pie of Martinsburg had to drink mud.
dy water Wednesday night, the heavy
rain overlooking the Kilmer spring,
the source of the city's water supply
The water was clear again by morn
! ing.
Lightning killed a COW in a field for