The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-05
WAS A GREAT STORM.
The Heavens Opened and the Rain
and the Lightning Got
Loose.
Part Of Davis Street Under Water
and Many Cellars
Flooded.
A River on Main S~treet-Severest cleo
trlcal Disturbance Seen in This
Vicinity for Years.

For half an hour yesterday afternoon
Helena and vicinity was visited by a storm
Of wind, rain, hail and lightning, which
many old-timers say was the most severe
within their recollection. The storm came
from the south, and though since about
three O'Clock all the Indications were in the
air. it was four O'Clock before it broke.
When it did come, IL came with a rush.
The electrical part of the storm WAS the
first to arrive. There had been vivid flashes
of lightning and the rumblino of thunder
for some minutes, when there came a sharp
bolt that seemed to shake the buildings on
Main street. Flash after flash followed in
rapid succession, until it seemed mat the
air was full of electricity. Then came the
hail and rain. and for half an hour it fell
in a sheet all over tho city and the sur
rounding country The cutters IN
many places were not large enough 10
accommodate the rush of water. From up
the pulch, and from the west and east sloes
everything ran toward the center OF JIG
CITY, Most of the damage was lone Oh
Davis street, near Broadway. Inc hume
cot choked near Bridge streetand the water
overaowed and rushed own the highway
like q race course. A row boat could have
been piloted down Davis street in some
narts. Board walks suffered, one of them
being carried away from its fastenings anu
landed on the opposite side OF the stree''
Cellars all along Davis street from Hills
dale to Blake, were flooded. The occupants
| of the houses requested Fire Marshal worth
to allow one of the steam fire engines to
pump out their cellars. Fearing, however
that the machines might be ruined by the
sand. the marshal declined to allow the
steamers to be used for that purpose, bu'
placed the hand engines at their dlsposal.
| At other places on the east side damage was
lone to sidewalks, Il whole sectlon oeint
carried away on Broadway between Chancel
and Beattie. n ~
The family of John N. Craig, 6l2 south
Rodney street, were all away at the time o.
storm. When they returned they 1ounc
about five feet of water in the basement
and considerable mud. The house Is Stu
ated at the juncture of two ravines, and q
wall had been built to guard against JUS
such accidents as that OF yesterday; 11t
water backed up against the wall, n n
ing no outlet knocked over the stones ant
rushed into the house.
On Main street many people eApecteu
flood on account of the heavy rush OF Wate'
from the head of the street and from TIM
east and west Sides. There was something
of a flood, too, but it was not enough 10 "
any further damage than cutting holes ant
ruts in the street and overlooking SOM
sidewalks. The greatest volume OF waite
appeared to come down the west SIDE O
Main street where, during the entire storm
the CUTTERS were obliterated and there was
creek from the car track to the mlddle o
the sidewalks. The flood brought down al
manner of debris from the head OF Mali
street, including ash barrels and boxes
planks, garbage, etc. some eanaRe va
done BY the water to the basement OF TN
Grand Central hotel. The entrance 10 IN
sewer at the corner of Main street ana olxti
I avenue became choked by the debris ant
there was a good sized lake i'll that WON'T.
for awhile. The police were very busy las
night placing Lanterns at dangerous WASH
outs to warn drivers.
Some very queer freaks of the Lightning
are reported. Two car loads of passenger
on the electric line were kept waiting nearl,
an hour half way between the Broadwate
and the city. The lightning had effected
the wire some where and there was nothlnl
to do but lay still until the electrical DIS
turbance was over. The lightning rod OF
A. K. Clark's house, Bridge and Rodne,
streets, was struck and torn off. lightning
also struck the chimney on DIR. j. Is. Atchl
sons house.
Passengers arriving on the east bount
express on the Northern Pacific last nlgh
say there was no storm anywhere along IN
road. They had a beautiful sunshlny ga!
and it was not until they reached Helene
that they knew it had been raining.