Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-20
A BAD STORM.
Fierce Wind and Fiercer Rain
Beats Down Upon Us.
Fire Alarm Wires Cross, and There's
Music in the Air.
The River Rises but Not Enough 10 Cause
Immediate Alarm.

The storm which. with all due gentle
ness. settled down over this section, Thurs
day morning about Ii clock, was a very
interesting one to watch in it's move
ments developements, etc. The snow.
flakes which fell, at first large, soon grew
| larger and they were truly sight to be.
hold.
The wise shook their heads and muir.
INJURED rain. Later, in the consistency of
freakish day. the flakes grew smaller,
and were soon as small as they had been
large
1t was about o'clock when the rain
set in, which, assisted by strong north
east gale, made out of door life literally
miserable. Umbrellas were of little use.
and the only way to keep dry was to stay
under some roof, which many did, giving
the streets that deserted look
All the afternoon, the rain came, and
rivers formed where there was any posi-,
BILE excuse and where there were no
rivers, there were lakes With the snow
and ice around. walking was precarious
business and the wise moved slowly
1t was estimated by a citizen, whose
opinion is much respected, and whose
memory has never been questioned, that it
was the nastiest, soppiest slushiest after
noon in his recollection. Moreover, he
estimates that there were more wet feet
brought home, as result, than there ever
has been in the history of this city.
In the evening, the effects of the gale
had made itself felt on the wires, and the
telephone service, on account of too much
cooperation with the electric light eur
rents, became useless as far as long dis
lance communication was concerned
The only satisfaction one got, when con
nected. being a noise like that given out
by we'll fed circular saw.
But it was with the fire alarm service
that the greatest mischief was done. As
early as I O'Clock in the evening, the bell
on the hill, began ringing, with now and
then note from the whistle, which came
flying with the wind from over the river
Shortly before s, the poor old whistle
got mad about something and started 10
with 81 sharp, consecutive shrieks. Then
there was silence. No notice being
taken, the trouble again began. and with
the determination of a tugboat in a fog
the whistle kept on, finally running its
gestive of Sidney bull, with his tail
caught In door.
After about five minutes of this.
some one put uuietus on the I'M
secmly conduct of the whistle. and with
the exception of one solitary snort. all was
still save the sound of the bowling wind |
The river rose little but the rain had
not fallen long enough to furnish any
idea of the results of the downpour and |
thaw.
1t is thought that nothing serious will |
result unless the storm should continue |
for two or three days.
During the evening the storm increased |
in vigor The wind hauled around to the |
southwark, and the rain fell, in spells, in |
torrents.
The roads were in frightful condition. |
The sidewalks being deep in water, pedes- |
TRANS sought the street. and there. the
deep show was in many places too soft to |
hold ones weight, and all there was left |
was to go down, and fetch water either |
way one went. 1t was bad on the horses
who laborci much on account OF the |
uncertain footing.
The ice opposite the city had not
broken up at midnight