Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-06-03
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ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCHES.
Terrible storm-Four Persons Killed by Light

ming.
CHICAGO, June 3.-As far as has been
learned the number of persons killed by
lightning in last nights storm is four. The
name of one man k lied On Blue Island
avenue, has 30. been ascertained The 9TH
ers are Jno. Montague, Mrs. Annie Amber
son, Chas. Wahlfcrth, John Rothke. The
two last named were laborers employed in
lumber yard The first named was n
Waterman, and Mrs. Anderson was the
wife of mechanic While leaning over q
stove preparing supper the bolt came down
the chimney, knocking her senseless aud
tearing up the floor. During the storm the
wind blew gale and loaded street car
was forced 10 stop on bridge or be blown
from the track. A sudden gust wrenched
the bridge from its fastenings, whring it
lengthwise to The stream. Fortunately no
one was hurt.
During the height of the storm sWtchmen
working near the Illinois Central round
house at the foot of 10th street heard men
shouting for help The switchmen went
down to the breakwater and haiooed. They
were answered by chorus of shouts which
seemed to come from number of men out
| in the lake. The railroad men continued
to call The answers gradually became
fainter. Shortly afterward a watchman
heard the cries at the foot of 18th street.
He rushed down to the breakwater and
called again and was answered by the voices
of several men. The watchmen thought
the men were drifting south. He at
tempted to call the police through the
patrol box, but was driven away by
the shots of lightning which leaped from
the telephone instruments whenever he
touched it, When the police finally learn
ed of men being out in the lake a patrol
wagon was sent to the foot of 18th street.
The officers took lanterns and patrolled the
beach, but they could not see out sixty
wards 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 boat or raft. During the
storm, Henry Carlnody, bridgetender at the
Halsted street bridge: was the hero OF
performance that probably saved the lives
of a number of people. In the midst of the
binding wind and rain he had closed the
bridge, through which vessel had passed,
and stepped into his shanty. A street car
bound north dashed upon the bridge, and
as it ncared the centre of the structure
Carmody glanced out of the window and
was Mortified TO see the bridge slowly swing
ing open. The driver had his head ducked
down TO ward off the force of the storm,
and was apparently unaware of the fearful
consequence of his neglect and the danger
ahead. Carmody took in the situation at &
glance, dashed out of the bridge. house and
ran at the top Of his speed across the bridge
toward the car Reaching the advancing
team he grapped the horses by the bits and
saug out to the driver to put on the brake.
The car was stopped about ten feet from
the end of the rails and over the muddy
water of the river. The driver, in his
haste to get across, allowed the team To
travel at a rapid gait and q horrible catas-
trophe and loss Of life was only prevented
by Carmody's nerve and presence of mind.
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