Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-07-11
Wind and RAIN.
Chicago Experiences Q Most Furi.
Gus Storm.
RoWBol1s on The LAKE ClpSIlgD.
Several Lives Thought to h Lost-Plats
0lnss Windows Blown Out and Con.
siderable Damage Done 10
Telegraph Wires

CHICAGO, July a-One Of the most
furious wind and transforms known In
this vicinity for years passed over the
city about Q o'clock yesterday evening,
coming from the northwest. The day
had been intensely hot and many people
were out on the lake in sailbosts, and,
as the storm came very suddenly, It IL
feared that several lives were lost.
The different life saving crews have
bean busy all evening tracing rumors
OF capsised boats, people clinging TO
planks, ETC., and up to Top. %. have
brought in the occupants Of three cap
sized boats, all in very exhausted
condition.
Up to within twenty minutes Of the
descent Of the storm upon the city the
sky had been clear and the sun shining
brightly. Suddenly heavy black clouds
began to gather In the northwest and
q few minutes later q terrific gale Of
wind, accompanied by q perfect food
Of rain and furious thunder and light
ming, was sweeping over the city.
Shade trees were broken of close to the
ground, awnings, signs, ETC., torn away
and much minor damage done in the
city. The wind after about half an
hour subsidized, but the furious rain
continued for fully two hours, during
which time the streets were running
with water. The parks had been
crowded oil day with people seeking 70.
lief from the almost intolerable heat,
and when the storm began there was .
stampede for the various elevated and
cable lines. The surface lines were all
equipped with open cars, the canvas
curtains on which afforded but slight
protection In view Of the furious gale,
which dashed the rain torrents In every
direction.
Many Easements were flooded oil
over the city and In some instances fire
engines had to be called for TO pump
out stores Several houses In the out
lying districts Of the city were struck
by lightning and seriously damaged.
Two small residences were completely
destroyed, but no one injured. The
pecuniary loss in both cases was small.
At the height Of the storm signal
tower beside the Pan Handle tracks ct
Ada street was blown over anfthe
towerman, August Boedlow, sustained
fatal injuries. Several other people
are reported painfully cut and bruised
by flying debris
So far the only fatality Is the case OF
Charles Klein, John Ross and Charles
Shook, who were out In rowboat
when the storm burst, and Of whom no
trace has yet been found. The yawl-
boat Of the yacht Hattie b was picked
up last evening OF Twenty-sixth
street, but Is thought the yacht has
weathered the gale and made some
other port.
The damage to telegraph and tele-
phone wires northwest Of the city was
very great Every telegraph wire was
Frustrated, many poles being carried
away, and 1t was 10 o'clock before tele-
graphic communication was restored
to Milwaukee.
Late reports, coming In through the
police and insurance patrols, show that
the losses In the down town districts
alone will aggregate large sum. The
great department store Of Rothschild
& Co., occupying nearly three-quarters
Of square and fronting on State street,
suffered most, nearly all the plate
glass windows on the State street side
being blown In, and goods in the win
dows and for some distance back badly
damaged by the food and rain. Plate
glass windows were also blown in In
several other large down town stores.