Rensselaer Union, Volume 2, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 May 1870 — [For the UNION.] The Storm of May 20th. [ARTICLE]

[For the UNION.] The Storm of May 20th.

S. W. RITCHEY.

About five o’clock in the afternoon a dark cloud appeared in the west which soon camo over us, and the rain and hail came down in torrents; the wind blew a hurricane; the lightnings flashed and thunders rolled; women screamed; and horses and cattle came dashing home for shelter, in a few minutes the ground was covered with hail from the size of a common cherry to that of a hen’s egm.-indeed some were even larger—4Wy wife measured one that was five inches in circumference. lam now sixty years of age, and have heard and read of such things, but never saw the like before. How far the storm extended, we know not exactly, but think not more than three to five miles. The damage must be considerable. The peach crop, which was is almost totally destroyed. Apples on small trees arc nearly all knocked off, but on large ones there will be enough left, if there is leaf enough to lung the oxygen and carbonic acid sufficiently to keep the tree healthy enough to mature the fruit. The trees arc badly injured and cannot recover for years. Small fruits, grains, potatoes, &c., are badly injured? Our neighbor, Henry Welsh, was out on the prairie and finding the peltingtoo severe, he took his saddle blanket to cover his head, yet ho was some hurt; but I saw him to-day and he seems to have recovered his senses. An old goose we had sitting, was driven rods from the nest, yet, strange providence! not an egg was broken, though the ground was covered with hail all around the nest. This might be what some would call a “special providence.” .Young chickens and turkeys were somehow preserved, but we have seen no goslings since the storm. — The presumption is they have all been hammered into Jtheif “long home.” Yet we may truly say it is not all evil and damage —the rain was much needed, and the hail may have done some good in breaking clods. While we often pray for rain, wo hope a “good Providence” M*ill never again send it down to us through so cold a region.

Mr. Madison Newton, of Kentland, has invented a new dirt scraper. The Presbyterian church at Kentland has been furnished a new ganA second-hand cooking stove with eight or ten joints of pipe, but without furniture,Tor sale.cheap. Enquire of M. F. Cliilcote. Don’t forget that Dr. Kelley, is going to close his photograph gallery on the 15th of June. Those .wanting pictures will bear this in mind and call soon. A nearly now Massilon Threshing Machine with straw stacker, all in complete running order, also two new farm wagons for sale or would trade forstock, land orgood notes. Enquire of E. E. Dockwood, Remington, Ind. 2-32-ts. The people of Remington are to be congratulated in the fact that Petit, the barber, has made arrangements to visit that enterprising town each week Srofessionally and reman there Monays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. He makes his headquarters at the Stewart House where he will be pleased to see all who may desire his services. A well selected assortment of notions, pomades, hair dyes and hair oils, and popular perfumeries will be kept by him for the accommodation of his customers.