Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1882-08-08
IN STAMFORD.
The Presbyterian Church De-
stroyed.

Loss of Life-One Man Perishes In the
Ruins Another Narrow Escape - A
House Also Burned-Other work of the
Lightnfng-Persons Intured-A Heavy
Shower.
Yesterday afternoon at about half past |
two, in the midst of very heavy shower at |
Stamford, lightning struck the First Presby- |
terrain church on Broad street, Stamford, Rev
Mr. Vail pastor, and set it fire. The fire
broke out in the steeple about half way up,
and the church being of wood the flames
spread rapidly and destroyed the edifce.
There was lightning rod on the steeple but
it did not protect. Soon after the breaking
out of the fire the fire department was on the
ground. It consists only of hand engine
and three or four hose companies and tbs
main dependence was on the waterworks, but
they failed owing to lack of head of water. A
| telegram was sent to Norwalk for help and
steam fire engine (the Phoenix No. y and
Hope Hose, No. 2, left there on the Newport
| express, leaving at 5:25. They arrived on
| the ground ready for action at about 6:15.
| Seventy-seven men came with the machines.
When they arrived the church was all in
flames, and a house adjoining, owned by Mr..
Hoyt, an insurance agent who occupied it,
was also in flames Mr.. Hoyt, who is an old
man and was i'll, was removed. The house
was valued at Sc, 900 or S. 900. The upper
part was destroyed. Most of the furniture
was removed.
One man while assisting in removing the
cushions and other property from the church
was killed. He was seen inside the church
when the roof fell. His name had not been
learned. Arrangements were being made for
a search for the body at the earliest oppor-
tunty. At midnight last night the heat was
intense.
A colored man named William Brown, who
was also assisting in removing property from
the church, was also inside when the crash
came, but was able to make his way to a
place of exit and was dragged out. He got
up and walked across the street. He was
badly burned about the head, hands and
body.
The church edifce was built about twenty
five years ago, and was estimated to be worth
about $50, 900. There was $4,000 lnsur'
ance upon it. The dwelling was also in
sured The church was near the center, and
a little way from the main street. There was
: intense excitement in the town and the whole
town was out and much regret was felt al
| the work of destruction. A valuable organ
was in the church, which, of course, was
destroyed, and there was bell in the stee
pie.
| OTHER WORK BY observation-disclosures STRUCK IN
, THE TowN-FIvE PERSONS INJURED AND 4
| KILLED.
The home of George Roberts, about mile
north of the center, was struck by lightning
and Mr. Roberts was severely burned by the
magnetic fluid. His back was blackened by
the lightning. His wife, child and nurse
we're stunned. A dog which stood beside Mr.
Roberts was killed.
The lightning struck the flag pole of the
Wallace straw factory and ran down ane
stunned James Wallace, the bookkeeper. anc
blistered the back part of his neck. 1t il
supposed that the lightning struck the tele
phone wire and burned it in two, and the rec
hot wire dropped on his neck.
5 The Norwalk firemen and machine wer
r returned to Norwalk on a midnight train
Before their departure they were served will
a collation. at the expense of the town o
Stamford.