Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-11-18
ELECTRIC STORM.
The Fisrcsst of Its Kind known
for Many Years.
Wires Worked Between Different Cities
Without the Aid of Batteries--ln-
struments Melted and Wires
Burned at Cincinnati.
COMMUNICATION NEARLY SUSPENDED.

the Western Union Telegraph Company
here say the electrical disturbances in this
country to-day are the most pronounced
and widespread experienced for wears, if,
indeed, they have been paralelled in some
respects at any time. This morning an
electric storm of great violence visited all
the territory from point to point be-
yond Omaha, and from Kansas City
north to the terminus of tele.
graphic communication, practically putting
A Stop to Telegraph Service
over the entire area. 1t first begun to be
felt about 4 o'clock this morning, and in
creased in intensity until 9:45, when COM
munication from every direction was cut
off This electric storm seemed to go in
successive negative and positive waves, al
ternately neutraliziDg the curreHts on the
wires or increasing their intensity to such
q degree as to
The switchboard here has been on fire q
dozen times during the forenoon, and a
half dozen keys Of the instruments were
melted by the current, which continued
10 anu
the points were parted to the farthest limit.
The duplex and quadruplex are rendered en-.
tirely useless, and at noon but single wire
of the one hundred and fifty between this
city and New York is in operation, and
ii is
Frequently interrupted.
Word has been received from Milwaukee
that atmospheric electricity is coming on
one of its wires from the country, and had
such dynamic power as to suffice for keep
ing the electric lamp burning. All business
at the Office here is accepted, subject to de-
lay. Even the Associated Press report is
unavoidably delayed, and up to one o'clock
this afternoon less than five hundred words
have been transmitted.
At Cleveland.
CLEVELAND, November IA magnetic
storm Of remarkable force and un paralelled
duration has prevailed here since about
o'clock this morning, prostratring tele-.
graphic communication until noon, when 1t
became abated. At intervals the wires
were worked without a battery, and with
ground connection. One line was worked
with q metallic circuit by making loop
with two wires. The district call wires and
short lines were not much affected, and tel.
ephonic communication seemed TO be inn
proved. An extraordinary feature is that
.he weather is rainy and muggy, whereas
electric storms occur when the atmosphere
is clear and dry.
Al Cincinnati.
C1ycrYHAr1, November 1.-THE electrical
storm began 10 be observed here on the
Eastern wires about o'clock this morn
ing. Its effect gradually increased until
1890. This place was completely sur
rounded. The storm reached southwest as
e Sr,.r aI
here to Columbus and st. Louis without
battery. At this end the wires were very
heavily charged, flame appearing when
the circuit was broken.
At indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS, IND, November ia Pc
culiar electrical disturbance in connection
with the working OF the telegraph wires,
was noticed here this morning. II COM
menced about 3 o'clock and has continued
up to noon. The phenomenon presented
here was such as to charge the wires when
the batteries were removed, and at times
presenting change Of polarity in brief
period The use of the quadruplex system
had to be abandoned for a time and a
metallic circuit was found to work without
the disturbance Of current reversals.
At Nashville.
NASHVILLE, TENN, November 1.-THE
electric storm at noon to-day almost sus-
pended operations in the Western Union
office At intervals the wires were worked
solely by the auToral current. The needle
in the salyanometer oscilated in the most
eccentric manner, varying as much as 50
degrees. Experienced operators say it is
the most remarkable electric storm for
many years.
At New York.
New YORK, November Photographic
communication has been generally inter
rupted to-day by an exceptionally severe
electric storm. Experienced telcgraphers
say il is the worst of the kind for many
years. The storm extends throughout the
United States and the Eastern provinces Of
Canada. Cables are hours behind. 1t is
showing at Buffalo, Albany and Boston,
several inches deep at the two latter named
places.
MILWAUKEE,, November 17.-Strong cur
rents of uncomfortable electricity prevail.
ed the atmosphere and actually suspended
all telegraphic communication at this place
from 8 A. NJ until this afternoon. An
electric lamp attached to a ST Paul wire
made brilliant illumination without the
use OF the battery. Business on Change
was virtually suspended OF account Of the
lacking telegraph facilities.
At Hankton.
YANKToN, OAK, November E.-Fuily
two-thirds Of the ky is ablaze tonight
with auroral light Of many colors, rare
phenomenon in this region. Telegraph
lines refused TO work during the entire
forenoon.
At London, England.
LONDON, November IA great magnetic
storm is prevailing on the continent and
A. 81. ~. ..I sV,rrl lIrn frar
serious interruptions 10 kilograms.