Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-06-04
A TERRIFIC STORM.
The Result Of the Lightning, Wind
and Rain In Chicago.
MEN LOST ON THE LAKE IN THE DARK.
Mysterious Cries for Help Believed to Come
From the Crew Of a Vessel
Struck by Lightning.
A TERRIBLE CALAMITY PREVENTED.

CHICAGO, June 3.-During the height OF
the storm last night switcbmen working
near the Illinois Central Round House at
the foot of Sixteenth street, heard men
shouting for help. The switchmen went
down to the breakwater and followed. They
were answered by chorus ofshouts which
seemed to come from number Of men out
in the lake. The railroad men continued to
call and the answers gradually became
fainter. Shortly aferward watchman
heard the cries at the foot Of Eighteenth
street. He rushed down to the breakwster
and called again, and was answered by
the voices of several men. The watchmen
thought the men were drifting south. He
attempted to call the police through the
patrol box, but was driven away by the
sheets of lightning which leaped from the
telephone instrument whenever he touched
it. When the police finally learned of the
men being out in the lake, patrol wagon
was sent to the foot of Eighteenth
street. The officers took lanterns
and patrolled the beach, but could not see
outisixty yards on the lake. When they
first came the officers heard the cries, but
the voices were very faint and seemed
long way out. 1t is thought vessel may
have been struck by lightning and that the
crew had been forced to take to boat or
a raft. During the storm Henry Carmody,
bridge tender at the Halsted street bridge
was the hero of a performance that probably
saved the lives Of a number of people. In
the midst OF binding wind and rain he had
closed the bridge through which vessel
rad passed and stepped into his shanty.
street car bound north dashed upon
rbe bridge and as it nesred the center Of
the structure Carmady glanced out the win
dow and was hOrrihed to see the bridge
slowly swinging open, the driver had his
head ducked down to ward Oft the force OF
the storm and was apparently unaware Of
the fearful consequences of the neglect and
danger ahead. Carmady took in the situa-
ZION at o glance and dashed out of the bridge
house and ran at top of his speed
across the bridge to warn the car.
Reaching the advancing Car he
grabbed the horses by the bits and sang out
10 the driver to put on the breaks. The car
was stopped about ten feet from the end OF
the rails, and out of the muddy water of
the river, the driver in haste to get across
allowed the team to travel at rapid gate
and a horrible catastrophe, and loss of lite
was only prevented by CarmodYs nerve and
prompt action.
Fireworks.
At $40 o'clock, iust as the electric lamp
in front of Thomas Considy's saloon, 90
Randolph street vas struck by lightning
and shattered into fragments. a portion
of the wires attached to it fused and the sign
and wood work adjoining it set on fire. AS
the current was on and the dynamo machine
of Washington street was in full operation
the electricity kept coming and throwing out
its SPARKS aud kept one OF Considy employees
busy for nearly fifteen minutes throwing
water on the sign and woodwork. Word
was finally sent to the operator on Wash
ington street and the trouble was ended.
The steeple of the Polish Catholic church
on Thirty.third street between Laurel and
Ullman streets, was completely wrecked.
One unknown woman was knocked down
while passing along q street in the Hinmen
street district and stunned. She was car
ried of in a wagon, but was not seriously
hurt.
Drowned.
CHICAGO, June 3-This afternoon boat
Wis washed ashore which has been identi-
6edas one in which John and Charles
Olsen and Charles Larsen visited some fish
inc grounds shortly before the storm yester-
day Afternoon The young men have not
besn seen sinle and ale believed to be
drnraned