The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1891-04-16
THE STORM,
Some Damage Done in Canton Last
Night.
Many People Shocked But None Of Them
Seriously Injured---those who Were
Hurt.

Darkened rooms, secluded corners, rub
ber coats and feather beds jumped into
popularity very suddenly in Canton last
evening. Early in the evening clouds be-
gan TO slowly accumulate in the western
skies, and at o'clock the storm burst
with but slight admonition. A binding
blast Of lightning followed moment af-
terwards by a severe clap Of thunder was
the first warning the citizens had that a
storm was imminent.
There was great electrical disturbances
for period of half an hour and business
was practically suspended. After the first
heavy bolt of lightning, rain descended in
torrents and the few who we're not fright
ened off the streets by the lightning sought
shelter during the progress of the rain
storm. Very little wind accompanied the
storm and there was no particular damage
done except by the electricity. The first
bolt of lightning seems to have done the
damage and succeeded in shocking many
persons, and frightning many more.
There we're number of persons more
or less shocked, probably the most severe
case reported being that Of Henry
Gaschatte, Of Gaschatte's meat market,
No. 65 North Market street. Mr..
Gaschatte was up stairs in the residence
adjoining the meat market. He had just
called down stairs to Mr.. August Gaschatte
asking him IL the telephone had been
turned off, when those below heard a
heavy fall. They rushed up stairs and
| found Henry lying on the floor. His
muscles were rigid and he was uncon
scious. Dr's. Brant and Fraunfelter we're
at once summoned and soon relieved the
man. He is much better to-day and will
suffer but little inconvenience.
| Considerable excitement was caused at
the Hotel Yohe by the tremendous clap OF
thunder and the vivid flash of lightning
Several children were playing in the hall
on the second floor during the storm and
as the clap of thunder burst, they became
greatly frightened and their screams were
heard all over the building, One of the
girls employed in the dining room, hear
ing the noise, thinking some one bad been
struck by the bolt, started up stairs, but
before going any distance was over
come with fright and tainted. Restoratives
| were at once applied and the young lady
| soon regained consciousness.
At the residences of Henry Harter and
| Wms OuerlOck, III NOTtn naTket, tue III
mates were greatly frightened. Blue
sheets OF flame seemed to enter each resi-
dence, but other than the shock incident
| TO the occurrence, no one was injured.
At the power house of the street railway
company, an armiture OF one Of the large
dynamos vas burned out. tits stated tha
the lightning struck trolly wire neal
Lake street and that the damage at the
power house was done at that time. Traf.
flc over the street car lines was delayed
but short time.
The electric light station did not suffer
much by reason of the electrical disturb
ances. The lightning arresters on all the
machinery did excellent service and dan
ger was thereby averted. Lights went ou
in different parts of the city, but were soor
in order again.
At the central telephone exchange NJ
damage was done. Those talking through
the phone shortly after the storm noticed
peculiar vibration of the wires. tt
those who marked this seeming phenome
non, it may be explained that the vibra
ton was occasioned by the trembling
voices of the lady operators, who, thougl
not shocked, were considerably fright
| ened.