The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-26
IT BLEW GREAT GUNS.
An Unprecedented Wind Storm Visit
Helena on Christmas.

An Unprecedented Wind storm Visits
Helena on Christmas.
There was an unusual Christmas caller in
Helena last night. He arrived about 8
o'clock in the shape of a roaring wind that
made people think they had been trans
ported from Montana to the Dokatas. The
blow began in the afternoon, but it was
only a gentle zephyr for some hours. No
body paid any attention to it, and most
people rather liked it. They didn't like it
SO we'll, however, when it began showing
them what real fifty mile an hour breeze
was. Those who were well housed won
dered how long the roof would hold cut.
and how soon it would be before they were
sleeping under the canopy OF heaven. For
tunately the builders of Helena builded
well. AS for those on the streets, the main
question with them was how long it would
take to reach the shelter Of their homes
without being dccapitated or having a leg
amputated by flying sign or detached
tin roof. At each strong gust everybody
broke for safety in the most convenient
doorway. Between winds, as it were, they
gained q few PAGES and were driven to COW
er by the succeeding zephyr. Many peo-
PIE. OeLcT IuiHcO " IcdCu tHcIf AOlAeo,
bravely faced the gale by taking to the mid
die of the'streets Here the wind was fully
as severe as on the sidewalks, but the dam
ger from flying missiles was less.
When the first fierce blast came, Main
street was pretty we'll filed with pedestri-
ans going in various directions. Their first
intimation that anything unusual was 60
ing on was Il roar from the direction of the
gulch at the upper part of town. 1t swiftly
increased and with it came cloud of flying
dust, loose paper, tin signs and other de-
bris, no small part of which was small
gravel that cut the face like hail.
People headed north flew be-.
fore the wind until they caught
on to something stationary and swung
themselves into door ways and area ways.
Those headed south, finding they could
make no progress against the wind, also
sought shelter.
In the midst of the excitement caused by
the strange visitation, a crowd which had
gathered on the broad door steps of the
Merchants National bank saw n burst of
flame coming from u chimney in the neigh
borhood of jackson street. Occasionally
the flame would die out and shower OF
sparks float off in the wind toward the
north. Everybody ran off in that direction
in spite of the wind. 1t was found that the
draught from the heaters in the opera
house and the Helena hotel was forcing
fire and sparks both up the chimneys. While
there was no danger to be apprehended to
the places named yet tho sparks falling
on property to the north gave rise to fears
of a fire. Luckily the stro lg wind carried
them along such a distance that they were
extinguished before they landed.
In about an hour from the time it started
the storm seemed to have blown itself out.
No casualties were reported and no serious
damage beyond the breaking of window
glass, the loosening of shingles and roof
tin, a few dlsjontsd fences and the
smashing of skylights. 1t was y stiff breeze
while it lasted, and one in great while is
about all Helena asks of these gentle
zephyrs from the south.