Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-05-30

The severest May wind, rain and
hail storm that has visited Berke-
ley county in years, and the most
violent of recent series swooped
down upon Martinsburg and certain
sections of Berkeley county Satur'
day afternoon, In half an hour more
rain fell than In any previous limit
ed period In recent years. The play
of lightning was frequent, vivid and
startling. Thunder rolled almost in
cessantlv aud combined with these
the wind blew more like a hurricane
than anything else.
Base Ball Fence Down.
Tho fence and display signs on
the right field fence at the ball park
were blown down by the wind yes
terday. and will require new CON
structlon. President Morrison said
yesterday. after examining the
damage, that the repair work would
he done tho first thing Monday
morning and would probably be
completed before the game this af-
ternCon.
oNS' wv w S'"' Tvs
In the Kearneysville, Bardane.
Charles Town and surrounding sec
ton the storm was also severe.
Rain and hail fell in Charles Town
and the wind was strong. but the
material damage to buildings and
crops was not so heavy az in Berk-
eley county. Telephone poles were
reported down, in some cases block
ing the roads; the wheat was beat.
en- down by the rain but there was
little evidence that the stalks had
been broken and therefore the pros
pect for a recovery was good.
Motorists along the road between
Harpers Ferry and Frederick re
ported great difficulty in travel, all
progress being held up in tho midst
of the storm, and some parts OF the
roads being washed. Accidents
along the road In which cars skid
ded were also reported.
Fruit Hurt In Sections.
The fruit was badly damaged In
certain sections. The worst loss SC
far reported is that to the Dry Run
holdings of the American Fruit
! Growers, Inc, which gave promise
Of having the best. and one of thu
few, good crops of good quality II
the county. The hail hit the or
ehard hard. but the management
said yesterday that not more thar
one per cent OF the fruit had hat
! the skin punctured by tho hail, and
the other frnit. bruised by the i'm
pact, would produce hail-pitted but
marketable stock. The other or
chards along the ridge were also
| hurt. but orchards IN the Arden and
Gerrardstown sections were moi
damaged, which Is also believed
true OF the plants across the noun
tain although reports from the lat
ter are still scarce. The Nortl
Mountain fruit district had mo-
been heard from last night
Power Service Crippled.
Power service was badly crippled
! Saturday afternoon and was not re
stored until late that night. The
| trouble came through the breaking
of the feed lines by falling trees II
the city and in the county at points
where the trunk lines enter thu
city The currents were affectet
during the storm, and the power
Workmen were compelled to cut
several trees in order to clear the
lines
Bad At HedgesviIIe.
Severe damage was done at He'd
gesvile and North Mountain where
hail fell with such force that II
broke hundreds Of panes of glass II
homes in those villages The Port
erfield barn near Iedgesville was
unroofed by the terrific wind, trees
were nprooted or limbs torn from
/ Er bodies OF the trees. Countr!
+ people coming into the city Satur
day night and yesterday reported ;
/ general destruction To- trees thru
out the county, and The early trav
/ elers yesterday afternoon were
! compelled TO clear the roads o
limbs and branches which had fall
en- across the roadway. Particular