The Portland daily press., 1898-08-18
LIGHTNING LET LOOSE.
Severe Electrical Storm all Over.
New England. i
GREAT DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
AND TWO LIVES LOST.

Boston Church Struck and Spire Burned
-Governor of Vermont Loses Four
Barns-HuM Reports the Storm the
Worst in Fifty Years.
Boston, August ia severe thupder
storm passed over this city this afternoon
and while fortunately it was unattended
in this section at least, by any fatalities,
1t caused some damage.
just before the storm struck, the city
was overshadowed by a cloud Of intense
blackness, and for some minutes it was
difficult to distinguish objects at short
range. Then came a fall Of hail that
proved destructive to many exposed
windows, the hail stones being over an
inch in diameter The hail lasted over
five minutes, and many horses. being
struck, became frantic, and some ran
away.
The rain was accompanied by fierce
lightning and heavy thunder, and
number of tall buildings throughout the
city were struck.
The principal damage was done to st.
Stephens church OH Hanover street, the
steeple being struck and partially de-
stroyed by the fire which followed. The
body of the church was not damaged.
Other buildings which we're struck
escaped without serious damage, At
Winthrop. heavy wind blow down tele-
graph and telephone wires and for an
hour the town was cut off from communi-
cation by wire.
LEvELLED CIRCUS TENTS.
birmingham, Mass, August 1.-THE
storm this afternoon was very severe in
this vicinity the lightning striking the
house of Isaac Hamilton and damaging 1T
and wrecking the interior of two rooms
in Michael Welsh's house. fA
The wind blew down all the tents of
circus exhibiting in town.
Out at Camp Dalton, many of the tents
were levellad and the big marquee of the
Salvation Army was carried long dis
tance Trees and electric wires suffered
heavy damage.
GOV. CIRCUITS BARNS BURNED.
Newport VT, August 17.-Governor.
Josiah CIRCUITS four mammoth barns,
several head of cattle and swine and 200
tons OF hay were destroyed by fire this
afternoon. entailing loss of $1,000, there
being an insurance of $4,000. The New
port fire brigade checked the flames be-
fore the residence was damaged to any
extent The fire was caused by a bolt of
lightning during terrific electrical
storm that ragged In this vicinity for
several hours
WORSTIN FIFTY YEARS.
Hull, Mass, August 17-The worst
summer storm that has visited Hull for
fifty years. made its appearance this
afternoon, The wind blew a perfect hurri-
Hardly q house in town escaued without
broken windows.
the town hall had thirty windows
smashed Trees were uprooted and blown
down, making the streets impossible.
The chimney of Hotel Pemberton was
at the storm, ran away, and collided with
an express wagon, throwing out the
driver, Gus Dowd, who is seriously in
jured.
LITTLE GIRL KILLED.
Oakdale, Mass, August II. During
heavy thunder storm this afternoon,
Mary Thomas, IS years of age while play
ing in a shed with several other children
was struck by lightning and instantly
killed Two other children were stunned,
but not seriously injured.
PENNSYLVANIA SUFFERS.
Twanda, Pa, August H. The most
terrific electrical storm experienced here
in many years passed over the central
part Of this county this morning. The
storm was accompanied by wind of al
most cyolonic velocity and great damage
was done to tobacco plants and fruit
trees.
MAN KILLED IN WALTHAM.
Waltham, August ia terrific
thunder storm passed over this town this
afternoon, the rain, which came down in
torrents, together with the lightning do
ing considerable damage to property.
Anthony Barney, an italian engaged as a
farm hand in the farming district Of the
city, was struck by lightning and In
stantly killed, while moving In the field.
The house of Martin NJ. Spaniard, OF
Spring street was struck by bolt and the
chimney demolished. The telephone and
signal lines were demoraltzed.
TWENTY sixth MAINE REUNION.