New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-01
DISPERSED BY A GALE.
SUMNER VISITORS AT WEIRS n. H.,
GREATLY FRIGHTENED.
HOUSES BLOWN DOWN OR DAMAGED-TREES
UPROoTED-NO LIVES REPORTED LOST.
fBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBrSE.I

Boston, July 31-A dispatch to The
Journal from Wcirs. y. H., says that storm,
the seyerest ever known in the memory oil the
present generation of people living there,
passed over that region this afternoon. causing
widespread damage of almost every descrlp-
tion. Threatening clouds, accompanied with
heavy thunder. oomed up in the northwest ABOUT
2 30. The storm approached so rapidly that the
session of the I'nitar ran grove-meetlng which was
held in the Soldiers Grove, suddenly ad-
iourncd to tie Methodist Church The
audience had sooner arrived IN the
vicinity Of the church than the cloud
could he distinctly Seen descending the south
side Of the mountain about mile northwest OF
tie railway station In a moment the storm
burst upon Weir Village. The people in the
grove fled prccipitatcly into the church Some
started for other places of safety, while few
were afraid to go into the church. Trees were
uprootci. and some of larger size, that
withstood the fury of the clements could
be seen rocl,in. like sapnss For some
moments nothing could be seen distinctly. Every
one in and about the church believed that tha
building would be destroyed The roof could he
seen distinctly TO rock back and forth. while the
insile open timber work crcalled and snapped
in a most terrifying manner. Soon the rain
began pouring in through The lOoSened roof
This was the worst of the gale, however,
although the awful wind and storm continued
for perhaps ten minutes longer. When the gale
was at its height, persons on the hlllsdes could
not withstand the wind without clnglng to some
object for support.
As soon as the storm partially moderated those
imprisoned i'm the church started in haste TO learn
what damage had been done. On almost every
side were evidences of the great destruction
that had been wrought. Strong trees,
foot in diameter, were in many places
levrllcd to the ground. The till ila-stalI on the
Lake Side House was blown into the cluster oi
pines IN front of the house, tearing out portion
Of the roof. Many buildings IN TINS place anu
near by were more or less damaged.
The most distressing incident was the deSuuc-
ton of the summer home Of the Key; b b. fayhe,
Unitarian Of IeOminster, Mass. Inc mouse was
in the extreme northern portion OF the camp
ground close 10 the lake front. Ilurryhg thlther'
Mr. Payne found his home practically IN ruins.
II had been lifted ALMOST bodily from its founda-
tions carried several feet, and thrown win
crash on To the ground, leaving one end IN the
water Of the lake. John Austin, carpenter, OF
Iaycrhil, was caught under the bullding
and had his right crushed. MIS-.
PAYNE and her daughter were in the sltting-room
when the storm came and were endeavorlng 10
protect themselves ~ best they could When the
house fell. Fortunately, neither of them was
iniurcd. but the mother was nearly prostrated
by the shock.
The steamer Lady of the Lake had juSt got
under w0y, from Nolboro bound Tor tne NrlIo'
when the storm broke upon her and Captain
Wadleigh quickly realized the danger, but thought
il best 10 keep on his course, if poss bic.
Several of The doors OF the boat
were blown in by the tempest, anu
as would be expected the passengers were
greatly frightened. Among them was Mark F.
Emery, Of Portland, and Frank f. Brown gen,
pral ticket agent Of the Concord and Montreal
Railroad Mr. Emery. who Is an invalid, was
greatly affected. and at nine il was feared
that he had received a serious shock, In about
ton minutes the boat emerged from the track or
the gale. and at length reached the Wcirs in
safety With the assistance Of two friends Mr..
Emery vas able TO walk 10 the Lakeside lionse
Many summer visitors were ont on the lake in
small boats and great sclioitude felt for them.
but il is stated tonight that all Of them got to
shore safely The storm extended SouthWarl as
far as Iaconia and north 10 Plymouth. The
telegraph wires north of the Weirs were all pros
tratcd.