Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-07-23
CELESTIAL ARTILLERY!
A SUNDAY EVENING SHOWER.
Double-ended Thunder bolt !
House and Barn Burned.
CHURCH RACKED BY LIGHTNING.
Minor Notes and Incidents.
The Lesson the Fire Teaches
us !
House and Barn Burned.
CHURCH RACKED BY LIGHTNING.
Minor Notes and Incidents.


than usual damage, to life and property.
Oxford County has suffered its due share
in these calamilies before the present
time; bu, nothing so extensive as We are
about to record has heretofore been OK
peiienced.
Sunday was dark and rainy, with south
and east winds, sea iog. and hOsvy cur
tain Of nimbus clouds indicated that
rain storm OF some magnitude was visit
ing Us. Notwithstanding these iudica-
lions, during the entire day. rumbling
and flashes indicated unusual electric dis
turbances, such is accompany summer
showers OF short duration. At about
seven O'Clock p. M, the clouds closed in
with greater density. while old Streaked
vas apparently capped with sea-fog. in
dicAting stormy night. But in few
moments the rain. which fell Ia torrents,
was made visible by broad sheets OF
flame. while the drops were forced more
rspidly from the dripping clouds. by the
thunder which rolled and echoed among
them.
A few moments before eight there came
from the clouds. directly above Paris
Hill, an electric ball charged with a most
erIalic and diabolical mission. As the
missile approached the earth, it divided in
two parts. the heaviest OF which started
tor the eastward, and attracted by the
gases from the well filed barn OF DR.. T.
II. Bro n, 1t hurled itself into the mows
o! newly secured hay. and instantly fired
the whole building. GOV. Perhsm and
Dr.. Lapbam. sitting in the Governors
parlor. just across Lincoln Street, saw the
flash, tnrned 10 the window, ard saw
flames issuing from the barn almost sim
ultaneously with the report. They imme-
diately gave the alarm, and notined the
Doctors family OF the calamity, which
VAS then unknown to them, as they sal,
enjoying their Sabbath evening rest.
In a lar moments every man ia The
village had taken himself to tho scene Of
conhRgraiinn, and OF women, not lew
hai done likewise. Undor the direction
OF Mr.. 4. 5. Perham. party Of men
Immediately began the work Of demol-
ishing shed which connected the house
and baTn. Some twenty fee. of root on
the south side OF this building were 10.
moved. and lhon the intense hea. from
the burning hay, drove the workmen, and
all hope OF saving any portion OF the
buildings WI, abandoned.
Then the cl,lzcns undertook 10 romoyc
the furniture. &c. with which the house
Was we'll filled and most lastly furnished.
This work was rapidly and carefully &C.
comp.ished. Every article of furniture
was taken from the building, doors aud
windows were removed, aud castings and
shelves, torn from their fas.eniugs were
thrown iuto the street, where they were
taken in hand by the outside crowd. OF
course. bedding, clothing, furniture, and
all the goods suffered more or less in the
handling, aud by being cast into the We.
aud muddy street. yet it is seldom one
sees work so well and carefully done
under such excitement. Scarcely an arti-
Gle OF furniture was broken in the remov-
al, while valuable paintings and articles
OF delicate construction were cared for
as carefully as though it were simply
moving day Everybody worked like
hero, and each received the praise 10
which bis labors entitled him.
The residence OF James S. Clark, stu
ated just south of DR.. Browns was COW
cred With sparks from the buroiug build
iOgs, but the tree application OF water
10 the root, and the projection afforded
its norlherly side by DR.. Browns orchard
prevented any material damage. The
Croker and Perhsm stands on tho north
side of Lincoln Street, were protected
from the heat, by constant wetiing from
water pals.
At about nine o'clock the South Paris
Engine arrived on the ground. and soon
had stream of water upon the burning
timbers, with the purpose of deadening
the fire, and saving. if possible, the trees
about them. The Engine Company
worked msnfully, and we'll deserved the
praise and thanks which they received
from our citizens.
DR.. Browns residence was situated on
the corner of Lincoln and Maine Streets.
1t was one of the finest residences in this
village, surrounded by we'll TRIMMED and
graceful shade trees on the north and
west, while an orchard of choice fruit
trees in productive garden formed the
southern boundary OF the house lot.
Now the whole is mass of smoking
ruins. The trees are scorched and wiihered,
the tidy door-yard is strewn with black
ened timbers, and debris OF all kinds.
The careful work OF years has been de-
stroyed 10 few brief hours. and nobody
is benefited thereby, while a most beau.
tifui country seat has become scene Of
desolaiion.
Amid the excitement of the fire. few
took time TO notice the effects of the Sec
ond branch OF this double-hesded tbun-
der.boit. While the eastesly branch was