Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1893 — PELTING HAILSTONES. [ARTICLE]

PELTING HAILSTONES.

Immense Damage In Pittsburgh and Vicinity by a Terrific Storm. Pittsburgh and vicinity was visited by the most violent hail-storm every known the other afternoon. The effect was most disastrous to life and property. Heavy black clouds suddenly obscured the light of the sun, while the air became oppressively hot Following a terrific electric flash came the crash and roar of thunder, shaking the very earth. Before man or beast could seek a cover, the deluge of Ice came and for five minutes there was a terrifying war of the elements. Chunks of ice as big as goose eggs fell. Telephone and telegraph wires were prostrated in every direction; electric and cable cars were stopped by bro'4m wires or debris choking the conduits and traffic was suspended for a long time. The stinging peltingof the hail caused a number of serious accidi nts by frenzied hones. Twenty horses, some of them valuable, are known to have been killed in Pittsburg, cit er by collision or becoming entangled in electric wires. John Downey, the driver of one team, was dragged several squares and fatally hurt. Michael Dunn, aged fourteen, was almost electrocuted by stepping on an electric light wire on Second av'euue.

One valuable team attached to a car* riage standing in front of the Mononga* hela House plunged into the Monongahela river and was drowned. The funeral of Joseph Craig was proceeding along Rtockton avenue, Allegheny, when the storm broke. In an Instant there was terrible confu-lon. Some of the teams ran away, crashing into the carriages preceding them. The hearse was badly damaged, and the casket was broken open.