Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-08-12

:
Joseph Jordan,
! 1inother POUerfWl ShOUer and
More Damage 6y Lightning.
Tuesday, the 9th inst, was n severely
warm day, with little air ill afternoon,
and the suns rays so intense rs to cause
many ont door laborers to suspend work.
About o'clock, black clouds from the
North and Westward bctokcned the APP
ploach of heavy shower, with high wind
ard possibly hail-but the helt of the
clouds seemed TO separate andpass around
us. though we got enough of the storm to
feel lis force The rain fell in torrents for
half hour or so, accompanied with the
most terrible roar of "hcavcn'S artillery
and sharp, rapid lightning, which seemed
to strike all about us People were on
the alert to discover smoke, and soon it
was seen on the ridge about nile from
the village. and proved to be The barn of
Dea joel b. Thayer, which was rapidly
enyelopcd in flames. The family in the
house were first alarmed by hearing one
of the hogs in the barn squealiug, and
going out, found piggy floored; but they
did not mistrust the cause Of his injury.
Soon the smoke at the further end OF the
barn told the tale. The flames spread
with great rapidity, the wind blowing
directly on 10 the she'd and house. The
nejghbors and people from our village
were soon on hand and cleared the house
in a few moments. The shed was filled
with wood which was soon on fire, and
there appeared 10 be no possibility Of
saving the dwelling fortunately the wind
wore round to the Southwark, bearing of
- little from the house, and renewed and
hearty efforts were again directed by MI
to save it, which was accomplished. The
barn MAS large one and we'll filed with
hay and grain, besides farming tools.
carriages. &c. There were about Is tons
of hay and considerable grain, two
wagons, two carts, two sleighs, harnesses.
&c. \ hog weighing about 600 lbs.
under the bain WAS also lost The horse
and cattle were in the pasture and
escaped The loss is between iiteen and
sixteen hundred dollars There was ar
insurance on the barn and outbuildings
OF 500, and $500 on the house, in the
Monmouth Go.
Deacon Thaycris over 20 years Of age,
and is 10. day a smart, handwriting. in
,cliigent farmer aud christian man. who
is always foremost in sustaining the cause
OF religion and morals in our midst, and
he has the hearty sympathy OF all. He
is not the man to COVER at misfonuncs,
ha, ing breasted The struggles of y hard
working lie too brayely for this.
We venture reflection or two, on the
occasion. This is the second barn burned
by jghlning, in our town, within few
weeks; every season we have molc or
less consumed by this cause. Had any
building in the thichly potion of our
village been struck, much loss of property
must have onsucd As the buildings de-
s,royed we're covered 10y lightning rods,
additional proof i, furnished that the kind
used arc worthless. Most OF our farm
houses are deficient in water and ladders,
and where our village is without Il fire
engine, this ought not to be. We never
saw men work better at fire. but with
out an organized head TO direct matters,
there is always loss OF effort. There
should be fire wardcnS in every district
To take charge of such occasions. 1t MAS
only q year or two since that our own
village could boast of q set OF fire ladders,
and these came by accident, n it were,
and were procured by private subscrip-
ton Every family should have y set OF
fire buckets and ladders, and every farm
house good cistern of rain water besides
the wells, which at this season are very
low. y little outlay in this direction,
may save much property. Personally,
ne had never much dread OF lightning,
with Il good fire department for protec.
tion-but in the country so many barns
are destroyed, endangering dwellings,
We have come to fear the slightest flash of
this destructive element.