The Republican journal., 1896-09-10
Another Freshet,
Largest Rainfall Ever Known Here. Damage to
Highways In Belfast $500. House Damaged
hy LIGHTNING

damage. The rain fell almost constantly
until about6 P. NJ, when there was a brief
cessation, followed by another heavy shower
from 5 to .. At intervals during the day
and evening there were heavy thunder and
sharp lightning. Luckily there was little
wind and the damage along the shore was
very light
About II O'Clock in the forenoon the house
of P. G. Hunt, about three miles southwest
of the city, was struck by lightning and
badly shattered. The lightning struck the
chimney and demolished it. The current
then divided into three parts, each of which
left track of damage. Mr.. Hunt was sit
ting in the kitchen close by the sink, and
although the kettles under the sink We're
smashed the only effects he felt were ting
ling sensations in his legs and feet In the
diningroom the floor and carpet were torn
up, and in the bedroom stove was broken.
The walls and ceilings throughout the house
We're badly shattered. No one was hurt and
no fire resulted
Inc most serious damage to the highways
was at the Downes culvert, so-calleu, east
of Gurney's mills, which is in ruins. The
stone work and earth fill for about 20 feet
ON the road and 10 feet deep are down, and
it will be necessary to rebuild it, The cul-
vert on the road leading from Equity Grange
Hall to the Halls Corner road was washed
out. The sewer on Spring street near the
Revere House collapsed in two places and
has been relaid. The Commercial street hill
below Raw Niaw ba1Ix
Bridge street from Waldo avenue to wash
lngton street was quilted and there We're
bad washouts on Peirce street. A section
OF Northport avenue near the water works
broke down, and culvert near East North
port washed out. AT Poors Mills the river
rose about feet and made several washouts,
but nothing to impede travel. Sunday after
noon the water stood in the road beyond j.
f. Sheldon's above the hubs of the wagons.
The rain gauge of l.. I'll. Murch Indicated
5.3 inches rainfall to P. NJ. and 81 in the
evening shower, a total of 561 for the day
This is the largest rainfall in one storm he
has ever recorded. The total of the two
rainfals of March 1st and Sd was but 8 SO
inches, and that of Aug. 9th was but IA
inches.
There We're several washouts on the rail-
road, but two Of which We're serious. These
were between Citypoint and Waldo and de-
layed the north-bound passenger train Mon
day, causing it to arrive in Burnham two
hours late. The construction train was at
work on the road ana soon repaired dam
ages. The morning freight train was some
what late aud the passenger train got back
about noon.
AT the house of Joseph Flagg near East
Belmont the lightning did curious thing.
1t entered an open window in the kitchen
where Mrs. Flagg was frying doughnuts,
upset the fat, threw the doughnuts about
and Frustrated Mrs. Flagg. No fire resulted
though the fat was spilled upon tue hot
stove. Mrs. Flagg is confined to her bed bv
the nervous shock, though she escaped other
injury.
A large tree was washed from the bank
below the steamboat wharf to the beach
below, with large mass Of earth attached
to the roots.
In Grove Cemetery there was consider
able damage by washing out newly made
mounds and the grading of lots
The bridges near the Ritchie Grange Hall
and in the Bragdon neighborhood in Waldo
were carried away.
The water in Tilden Pond rose about 3
feet during the shower.
REPORTS FROM THE COUNTY
WINTERPoRT. The storm of Sunday did
much damage to the roads and bridges in
town.
WALDO. Sundays rain carried away the
Simmons bridge and there are numerous
washouts, but nothing very serious.
LIBERTY The heavy rain of Sunday did
great injury to the roads in this vicinity
Bridges We're washed out in many instances.
BROOKS. The storm of last Sunday was
the most violent for an all day s session tina
we have had for years. The water in Marsh
River was never higher at this time of wear
and large quantities of rubbish and drift
wood was tioated away. The roads which
had been put into very fair condition We're
left in terrible shape, nearly every hill be-
ing washed and quilted, in many places be-
ing impassabe
NoRTHFORT Last Sunday we had a yery
heavy downpour of rain. similar to that ex-
perienced by Mr.. Noah and his family. 1t
did not continue quite as long, but the quail
ity of the article, no doubt, was Just as wet,
to say the least. In all probability the large
volume that fell during the day will prove
very injurious to the potato crop, as they
We're beginning to rot badly before the rain
They will decay more rapidly now if warmer
weather should prevail for few days
PROSPECT. The rain fell Sunday last in
torrents The pond rose in the heaviest rain
l inch in minutes, and at onr place it lack
ed only inches of the last spring freshet.
No damage is reported so far only the usual
amount of fence near the stream is gone.
Our onions, beets, carrots, parsnips and tur-
nips, more than half an acre, were from one
to five feet under water. There was only
wide expanse of water without single top
OF garden truck to be seen in the flood. Mon
day all the tops were out of water but lean
ing down stream. AS yet we cannot get
to them, but they look all right with the eX-
ception probably of a stump coming down
stream and tearing away few onions.