Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-28
PRANKSOF THESTORM
THUNDER AND LIGHrNING IN FINE
VARIETY.
A Part Of the Electric-Light Plant Disa-
bled-Twsnty Telephone Connections
Burned Out.

This hasn't been 4 mild-maunered May.
On the contrary, It has been IN angry one.
Il has been q season backward in vegetation
and abounding in thunder-s,orms and cold
rains.
The cvcksne which on the tlth rolled up
10 the chemical-w0r,s and descended upon
a great frame building and twisted it up by
the roots. as II were, and let it down again
with great smash, was something unusual
in this section. an experience the like OF
which j. not desired.
On SUNDAY night about 10 O'Clock there
came two tnundcr-claps and accompanying
bolts Of lightning that for severity were
scarcely ever exceeded in this vicinity.
Theg made the city shake far worse than
ever any earthquake did.
IL was horriiying eXperie7ce Tor many
women and men, aud 10 not few the shocks
came with force sufficient 10 knock them
down. The tiTmest buildings shook 10 their
foundations. and many fail ones quivered,
o. does ship Just before her timbers part
Blinded by the dazzling flashes. stunned by
the shocks. not a few persons fell In the
streets or staggered of 10 shelter.
The storm came up suddenly and caught
many persons homeward- bound from church
and was "a prolific In RAIN a. IL was in tlun-
der and lightning. 10 will remain for ong
time pictured upon the memories of many as
a night OF dread, though in quarter OF an
hour the storm had spent its violence. and
after that dwiudled down into mere com-
mouplace rain.
The storm seems TO have teen more exces-
sivc up-town than in the lower part Of the
city.
At THE LIGHTHOUSE.
The lightning played havoc AZ the plant Of
the virginia Elociric.Light aud Power Com
pany. Two dyramos for furnishing incan-
descent lights were burned out and rail-
road-cAr dynamo was disabled.
When the shock came two heavy bands on
the machinery few Of with tremendous
force.
The EMPLOYEES in the building scsmpered
around considerably for a tune.
The injury 20 the machinery will compel
the disuse Of some Of the incandescent lights
for a few days; but new machinery has
been ordered. and it IL stated tnat everything
Will be m good working order again in
few days.
TIRE TELEPHONES.
Twenty telephone stations were burned
out, and in each case where the occupants OF
the house were present stories OF The curious
freaks oi the lightning sre told. Though IN
was created, it nowhere appears that any
harm wSs done.
With the promntncss Characteristic oi the
telephone service all. or nearly ali, Of these
wires and instruments were put IN orGer yes-
terday.
Toe wire connecting the Manchester
Water WOTksWi The Manchester and Rich
mond system was burned where It runs
along the walls OF the rngiDe-hOuse.
In the Richmond Exchange during The
pcndency Of the thunder aud lightning there
was quite yiyd flashing about the in-tru-
ments, and The operators suspended work
for 4 little while. hut no damage was doneio
person or property.
MADE INsENsbLE.
The wife Of Harry Evans, one Of Mf. Julien
RiniOrd's drivers, Was shocked 90 in-en>i-
bihty. She remained unconscious until
about 6 O'Clock yesterday morning. and then
revived somewhat, but is still very Ill., She
lives IN rear bGildinE on Franklin be-
tween seventh aud Eighth streets.
FLEcrEir CARS.
During the HEIGHT OF the storm some Of the
cars on The electric line mad to stop. but no
injuries to passengers or operatives occurs
red.
OTHER INsTANCEs.
MIS- 'oIh'""' WV "'' -, - -. 49,
Broad street between Fourth aud Fifth, felt
the shock very pcrceptiby. She was taken
into the drugstore 81 Mr.. Z. +. Dupuy,
where reaiOrttIyes were administered, aud
she was sent home.
MessI-. Mier. Glenn, and others, on
guard at The peuitcn,isry. describe tie shock
AS being very bad They We're leaning on
an iron ra.ing when the flash came and all
were more or less blinded.
Hundreds Of people uptown were more
or less stunned, but $50 per cent Of them
were more scared than mart.
A telegraph pole near the Second market
was sh.ycIed.
There were many rumors snoat yesterday
about church-steeples tlat were struck, but
they could not be verified, and ,ll Of ihe
spires were serenely pointing heayenward
and appeared 20 be uDiniured