Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-09-26
WIND AND RAIN.
Buildings Wrecked by the
Storms Fury.
New Bed ford Visited by Severe Cy-
clOne-Da mage, 100000.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass, Sept. 24-This
city was visited by one of the most violent
storms in its history, Il component part Of
which was a veritable cyclone. The result
ing destruction to property is estimated ut
$125,O00, and for hours it was feared that
several lives had been lost in building
which was wrecked by the terrific wind
The storm commenced at about 6 o'clock
in the morning, when rain falling in sheets
was accompanied by a display of lightning
seldom eQualed. just after this hour two
men standing on the Fairhaven shore saw u
bolt of lightning descend in zigzag course,
followed bya terrifying peal of thunder,
which shook the ground This flash of light
appeared to meet the land in the vicinity Of
the cotton house Of the Bennett mill. Fear
ing fire they at once made their way in the
direction of place from which an alarm
might be given.
Several clerks in the mill who had just
prepared to go their work were temporarily
blinded by the descending ball of fire. Their
first thought was that it had struck the
water, but when moment later they saw
the yard men rushing from the shed they
knew that the building had been the target.
The master mechanic was notified. and with
out delay the mill fire department was put
ut work.
No time was lost in giving the alarm,
which summoned good share of the ap-
paratus of the city. The cotton house rests
upon piles. and at high tide it is practically
surrounded by water access being gained
only at the extreme north and south ends.
When the llremen arrived the tide was near
ly full having turned only short time be-
fore. and the water interposed Il serious OBJ
stace to their approach.
Wading in and attacking the fire from q
distance. losing of course by this, their only
chance, considerable valuable time, they
al 1ylv Hrnv hu,.L IN m in that IN die
tance from the shore to the building could
be brdged by ladders. Stored in the build
ing were some 1000 bales of cotton.
Estimated roughly and without making
deductions for the damaged cotton which
will be disposed of to other concerns, to be
worked up into inferior goods. the total loss
was about 100000. The loss on the build
ing is practically total, and will be about
$4,000. All of the damage is amply covered
by insurance.
In the very midst of the greatest excite
ment attendant upon the fire, worse result
of the storm transferred the attention of
the crowd and everybody else to
the corner of Coggeshall and North Front
streets, where the cyclone had swept q new
three-story building from its foundations,
shattered it into kindling wood, and buried
several persons beneath tons of splintered
timbers and general debris.
1t was at the most furious point of the
tempest that this unfortunate occurrence
took place. The building was located at the
southeast corner of the streets and belonged
at this time to the contractor, Thomas NJ.
Chase. who was erecting it for James Har-
graves. The structure was of liberal pro-
portions on the ground floor, and three full
stories in height, with hip roof and dormers
above making full fourth story. The
building had been all finished on the eX-
terror, except for the lower floor. where
plate glass was to go in, and inside was
ready for the fathers. AS far as could be
seen, it was as good construction as modern
methods provide for such buildings.
Then came the deluge of rain. The street
was crowded with people, who hustled for
the nearest point of shelter. Many rushed
into the lower story of the unfinished build
ing-how many no one knew.
Then the blast of the cyclone swept along.
1t entered the window openings of the new
building, tugged at the rafters and their an
chorages. rising in wrath till it gathered its
mighty force under the big roof. and lifted
it bodily from the walls. The suction be-
hind was too much for the walls, and. with
frightful crash they too left the foundations
and joined the roof in Il general tangle of
shattered timbers on the ground. As 1t fell.
the whole structure canted to the East and
North, falling in such way that it covered
the South sidewalk and half the street.