The Portland daily press., 1884-07-15
ELECTRIC BOLTS.
Terrific Thunder Showers in Sew
eral Sections of Maine and
New Hampshire.
CONSIDERABLE PROPERTY DE-
sTROYED, BUT NO LIVES LOST.
Special to the Press.)

HARRINGTON, July IA very heavy thun-
der shower, accompanied by a hail storm,
swept over this village yesterday The thunder
and lightning were terrific. Lightning struck
the house of Mrs. Phinney on Perham street;
also in the front yard. 1t took out piece of
the front door side-light frame about two feet
long, ploughed mp the ground at the east end
Of the house, and it appears to have passed
from the ground into the cellar, as the latter
was filled with smoke. The lightning nearly
stunned the family and the neighbors, but no
one suffered any bodily injury.
Especial to the Press)
MECHANIC FALLS, July IA heavy thun-
der shower passed over this village between 5
and 8 O'Clock, Saturday afternoon, the light
ming striking in four places within the pre-
cipcts OF the village. 1t struck an elm tree
near the house occupied by Otis Young and
Mrs. Young received quite shock, but no Sc
sious result.
Special to the Press.)
SAco, July 14.-Saturday afternoon shower
of unusual severity passed over this city. The
lightning flashed uncomfortably close to ones
head, aud several building about town were
struck, but the damage was slight. A singu-
lar freak of the lightning was observed at the
Boston & Maine railroad station. A lady who
was sitting in one corner of the waiting room
during the sharpest flash, suddenly became
enveloped in blush white fame from her
present, supposing her clothes were on fire,
jumped to her rescue, but before they reached
her the flame had disappeared. With the ex-
ceptoL of severe fright and numb sensa-
ton in the arms, she was unframed.
Special to the Press)
KENNEBUNKPoRT, July IA. = The severe
thunder shower was near at various points
Yesterday afternoon. In this town the light
ming struck both house and barn of VIM. II.
Emery, damaging the latter about $50, and
prostrating two horses. The store of John A,
Emery sustained small damage. A large oak
tree on the land of Charles Wentworth was
split, and other minor damage was caused at
other localities.
Go the Associated Press)
DIxFIELD, July A.-During the thunder
shower Saturday afternoon, Geo. I. Fleteher's
barn in Dixfeld was struck by lightning and
burned, and also the dwelling house, together
with its contents. Insured. The occupants
were not injured.
CANTON, July IA very severe thunder
shower and hail storm passed over Canton,
Saturday afternoon, doing much damage TO
crops and washing away highways and bridges.
1t Is thought by many that a cloud must have
burst or it was water spout. From ten to flf-
teen inches of rain must have fallen. Water
in the stream near the Herdsdals farm rose to
about a depth of IS feet, washing away the
bridge and carrying large amount of earth
into the Androscoggin river. A culvert about
one and one-half miles above Herdsdale was
also washed out, and some two or three in
Peru. just above Mr., Taintor's. the Dixfield
mail carrier was obliged to cross the river on
the bridge at Canton, in order to get to Dix
field. Mr.. Vickery, superintendent of Herds
dale farm thinks his corn and beans are ruined
He says it was good boating nearly one-quarter
of mile in the highway after the shower, and
it was with much difficulty he got his cows
from the pasture, owing to the bridge being
carried away. The road leading to the Bisbee
Ineighborhood was fearfully quilted, in many
places from three to six feet deep. 1t will be
number Of days before this road will be pas
sable. Mrs. Bisbee says it was wonderful
sight to see the water in the pasture foaming
over the rocks, and that it was equal to the
West Pitch at Lewiston in high water. Mr.
Reynolds reports the apple crop injured some
what, and that quite a lot of hail was found in
the rear of his buildings Sunday morning.. 1t
is estimated that it will cost the town of Can
ton nearly $1,000 to rebuild its bridges and
highways.
hail storm in Henniker, yesterday afternoon
caused an extensive destruction Of crops, and
caused other damage.