The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-26
A VERY HEAVY SHOWER.
Rain Foil in Torrents, the Wind Blew
and Lightning Flashed. =
CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE DONE.
Brave Deed OF Two Young Girls During
Fire Caused by Ligh,ning-Large
Trees Blown Down-A Hurricane
Down the Hnrbor-Notes of the Storm.

About II O'Clock today big black clouds
began TO gather ia the west. rapidly IN
creasing In sizs aud threatening appear
ance. Half an hour later angry flashes OF
lightning could be seen flashing at fire.
ouent intervals from the clouds and
then distant peals OF thunder were
heard. The clouds rapidly approached
from the northwest. and great clouds OF
dust were driven through the city streets.
people hurried along trying TO get under
cover before the storm broke. The IN
tense heat was rendered bearable by the
thoughts OF cooler weather after the pas
saro or the storm. The men working on
The big sewer clambered IN out Of the
trench and sought refuge In doorways.
Electricity filed the air, and there was
that strange, uncanny silence that ALWAYS
.heralds the approach OF storm.
The little English sparrows nittrd
about in q grsat state OF mina, anu
"A few m inutes before 12 the storm broke
and the rain poured down In torrents The
lightning flashes were unusually vivid,
and the quick peals of thunder sounded
like heavy vollsys OF mnsketry followe
BY the roar o. artillery; Ia telephone and NC,
telegraph Offices great balls OF hre dartec
1n and out over the wires.
In the river aud down the harbor the
wind blew q hurricane aud white caps
tossed their spume against the haroor
boats.
AT Silver Spr.ag the piazza Of Goffe's
dining pavilion was blown down with
crash. The lightning struck In various
parts OF the city.
The storm came up agai st the tide and
worked OF to the southeast aud hnall y
worked hack again. rain falling at y
O'Clock In smart shower.
Two Young Girls Heroism.
The bolt of fighting that pealed forth
today at 1919 struck the barn Of Thomas
Clapp at 133 Smith street. In the barn
were two horses, one belong
ing to Mr.. Clapp and another
70 Mr.. Hopkins. Ths lightning
struck the south sde OF the barn di.
rectly over tho stalls OF the horses and
seemed to be diverted. part OF 1t going
on the west side OF the barn and another
portion was directed straight down upon
the horses. One belonging to Mr.. Clapp
was knocked senselesS aud the other one
was stunned. Miss Edith Clapp, young
girl of about Is years, had just returned
from drive and the horse nad not been
IN the barn ten minutes. The barn
cauu BIT fire at once In the stalls.
Miss Edith rushed out or the house and
found the hay blazlns around tue pros
trase horses. She hssteued back
and she and her sister carried
pail after pail of winter and
dashed 1t on the fire until the fire
depart pcnt arrived. Both horses would
doubtless have been killed by breathing
fmokc had il lot be.n for the heriic eff
forts OF the girls. The fire was quickly
ex,inguished by the department.. The
loss sv the barn and contents will be
about $3.50 The horses were drawn out
ana in a few moments Mr.. Hopkins
hor-e was able to walk away. Mr..
Clapp's horse IL yet In q critical condition
buf is likely 20 survive.
The bolt seemed to have struck its head
AMI going through the body tore of tn Q
the barn wss taken out safely.