The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-08-10
LIHTNING'S FREAKS.
An Electric Storm Rages in
Certain Sections Of theState
ONE PERSON STRUCK DEAD.
Many Farm Buildings and Con-
tents Burned.
Special Dispatch to the Press.

Special Dispatch to the Press
WEST BALDWIN, Aug. 9.-The barn OF ). d.
Yates, one and half miles from West Bald
win, was struck byl ightning about o'clock
yesterday afternoon and burnt with all its con-
tents, consisting of ten or twelve tons OF nay,
all his farming implements, wagons, sielgns
and harne ses; also 75 live fowls, which he had
purchased for market. No insurance, 1t haV-
ing lately expired. d.
OXFORD, Aug. 9.-During heavy shower
last evening the buildings of VIM. Faunce,
struck by lightning and entirely consumed,
together with fifteen tons Of hay and some fur
niture. Loss about $4,000; insurance $3.50.
The dwelling house of Hiram Gilbert near
Oxford Town House, was struck and few
shingles torn off, but no other damage.
FAIRFIELD, Aug. 9.-The heaviest shower
which we have known sfor years, passed over
this city last evening. The house and barn OF
Lewis Dunbar were struck by lightning and
the barn destroyed. Although the buildings
were all connected the hard work done by the
citizens saved the house. Loss $500 to S20Co.
SETH.
MECHANIC FALLS, Aug 9-This place was
visited by succession of heavy thunder show
ers yesterday afternoon and evening, during
which the born owned by S. w. Archibald was
struck and badly shattered, but not set on fire.
S.
FARMINGroN, Aug. "a severe storm rag
ed in some parts of Franklin county yesterday.
There was washout on the narrow gauge rail-
road near Pennington and an engine was
thrown from the track, but no one was injur-
ed. Lightning struck several barns. and con-
siderable damage was done by the wind and
rain.
LATER.
A train on the Sandy River railroad was
thrown from the track yesterday by washout;
no one hurt. A young son of Reuben Tilton
of Temple, was killed yesterday by lightning
during the heavy shower.
(By Associated Press)
WINTHROP, Aug. 9.-During heavy shower
last night lightning struck the farm buildings
of Willis Cobb, burning two barns corn house.
eight cows, eighteen tons of hay, hay rack
and many farming tools. Loss $15co; insured
$500.
Oren McGrath's barn was also struck last
night and burned, together with fifty tons of
hay, moving machine, carriages, sleigh, five
harnesses, tools, &c. Loss $780, insured for
$400.
The Springfield Co.'S (Baileyville) oil
cloth shops were also struck, but fortunately
did not ignite. 1t was the worst shower for
many years. The clouds were low, thunder
heavy and flash succeeded flash in quick sue
cession.
LEWISTON, Aug. 9.-The electric storm in
this county, last evening was memorable for
its terrific grandeur and its destructiveness. At
g O'Clock n m tha~ Uhni~- '-s1iAo1s WAS. agloW
with the flames of burning buildings which
the lightning had kindled, in various parts of
Androscoggin and adjoining counties.
The farm buildings of Lemuel Parker of
Greene, were struck and burned. 1t is also
rumored that there was another fire in Greene.
= A bolt struck the premises of Mr.. Charles
Records at East Auburn. His two barns
were burned. All his hay and two pigs were
destroyed. He saved his farming tools and
wagon. His ossis about $1,000. He was in
sured for $500.
1t is reported that the Deacon Cummings
place in Greene, owned and occupied by
Thomas Stevens was struck and all the build
ings were destroyed. The buildings were old
and not valuable,
The two barns of Henry Bonney in East He
bron were burned. Loss $10C0; insured for
$500.
Lightning struck house owned by Howe
Weeks and occupied by Mr.. Lowell in Au-
burn. One bolt slid down the elm tree and
peeled off little bark. Another bolt entered
the house over the front door. and went
through the hall tearing off little paper. 1t
then shot into sitting room, where it tore the
finish from two doors shattered window
where Mr.. Lord sat. without injuring him. The
fluid also ransacked the kitchen, where it
smashed two windows.
A bolt struck the chimney on the house of
j. K. Blanchard, Esq, on Main street, Lnwis-
ton. 1t knocked off the chimney top. Tho
iron hsad-piece dropped down and hung on the
stub of the chimney. The fluid followed the
chimney down into the kitchen. Mrs. Blanch-
ard sat by the stove. She was saved by the
discharge going into the funnel and stove. The
funnel was knocked out of its place. A fat
iron sat on stove cover. The cover was
lifted from the stove and hurled across the
room, while the fat-iron dropped into the
stove. The lightning frolicked around the
room and finally finally got into the dead air
space between the brick walls OF the house,
where it roamed, emitting asulphurous odor,
and at length burst out through the bricks
and windows, injuring the wall, glass and
blinds. A little smoke, but no fire was seen.
The lower part of the blinds at one window
werc smashed into splinters, while the blinds
remained on the hinges.
The roof of Bonnsllie block on Park street,
Lewiston, was struck and few shingles were
ripped off.
The barn of Henry Stetsonion the river road
in Auburn, was struck ands Mr.. S. was knock
ed down.
The job team of James Cole stood on Bates
street, when the storm came up. The light
ming struck the team ands turned it upside
down. A big cash was made in the horses
fore-leg. Mr.. Cole stood on the sidewalk and
was not affected.
Sharp flashes came into buildings on the
telephone wires and were accompanied by pis.
tol-like reports The relay in the telegraph
office at Danville Junction was destroyed.