A FATAL HAILSTORM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2407, 4 October 1892, Page 3

A FATAL HAILSTORM.

A Montreal despatch of June 15 says : —" The most terrific hailstorm ever known in Eastern Canada has spread death and destruction throughout this province, in New Brunswick and in Nova Scotia. The worst storm was that which struck St. Rose, about 40 miles from Montreal, yesterday. The catastrophe lasted only a few minutes, but in that time houses were torn down, cattle were killed, trees were uprooted, and a stretch of country many miles in width was devastated. At St. Thereso and everywhere to the north the damage to property is said to be much greater. The cyclone struck three miles to the east of St. Rose, and the places demolished were a gr< aip of farmhouses known as Grand Cote St. Rose. The most shocking phase of the disaster is the destruction of the schoolhouse, in which 25 children were being taught at the moment the cyclone struck it. A mass of kindling wood is all that is left of the building. Somowhere about two o'clock clouds began to gather. Then fro\n the north darkness began to set it, and in a moment everything was as black as night. The wind was terrific. There was the noise of falling buildings and then all was over.

As soon as they had f rom their fright the people m»* e( , out? onl to be met by a scene of desolation such as they had never witnessed before Everything the cyclone struck it had destroyed. Some buildings were thrown down entirely. Of others nothing but the gable end remained standing. Giant trees had been torn to the ground, roots and all, only to be thrown long distances away, and of movables and cattle not a vestige remained. When the people had somewhat recovered from their terror their first thoughts was of the schoolhouse, a frame building, about two miles from the main road. Of the children, numbering 25, there was not a trace. _ The debris was searched in the expectation that some of the little ones might be under the ruins, but none of them were found, and as the parents were notified of the calamity a regular search was instituted for them. Four had escaped entirely, being frightened by the approaching wind. Others were found strewn all about the fields. Two of them were dead when found, and one other died early this morning. Twelve others were dangerously injured, and the remainder were all more or leas wounded. The teacher was found unconscious about 25ft distant, Her desk was carried over a mile away. The force of the cyclone was terrible, the most damage being done in the open country. It was in the Templeton district, on the Ottawa river, that the storm seems to have rag 3d -with the greatest fury. Fully 20 farms were denuded of their buildings, and fragments of the wreck were thrown long distances. At the homestead of ex-mayor John M'Elroy. the family were seated at dinner when Die rush of the wind was heard, and in an instant there was a shock. The house was moved from its solid stone foundation and the dwelling was raised like a paper box, dashed to the ground and overturned while the rafters and ceilings were b]ow« over the fields. When Mr M'Elroy was found he was dead. A timber of the wreck torn froi>\ ip. p>ce had pinnel him to the ground and his life was crushed out in a twinkling. The mother, son and daughter were cut and bruised so as to be scarcely conscious of their surroundings,