Rain, Wind and Hail: Much Damage Done by a Heavy Summer Storm
(New York Times, 11 August 1890)

Middletown, N.Y., Aug. 10 – A violent tornado and rain and hail storm the section of Orange County north of the Erie Railroad and between the Shawangunk Mountains and the Hudson River at noon to-day. The tornado wrecked or seriously damaged many buildings. At Scotchtown, four miles north of here, it carried off the roof of the Presbyterian Church and wrecked the barns of the farms of James and Denton Mills. Henry L. Beakes’s new barn, one of the best in the country, two miles north of here, was totally wrecked and a horse killed. It is reported that not less than ten barns were ruined in the towns Montgomery and Hamptonburg.

Hailstones of extraordinary size fell and in enormous quantities, destroying the growing crops, particularly corn, on thousands of acres. The grape crop of the region is also badly damaged by the hail. All reports agree that it was the most violent and damaging storm that ever visited this region.

At the Wesley Grove camp meeting grounds, near Montgomery, about forty tents were in place, most of them occupied by families in anticipation of the approaching annual camp meeting. The storm struck the camp while the morning religious services were in progress. Most of the tents were blown down, and more than fifty trees in the grove were uprooted. There was a scene of wild excitement and fright while the furious storm lasted, but, fortunately, none of the party of campers were seriously hurt.

The Reformed Church in the village of Montgomery, commonly known as the “Brick Church,” of which the Rev. Dr. Schenck is pastor, was struck by lightning while the morning services were going on. The edifice was not seriously damaged. The electric current passed from a chandelier to the head of William Rockafeller, who was sitting directly beneath, burning his face and striking him senseless. He will recover. More than twenty members of the congregation were severely shocked.