davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
THE MAssAsOIT STRUCK.
Llghtning's Franks Keep spencerites on
the Hustle, and Traffic Was Delayed.

Spencer, June 15.-This afternoons
1torm was one OF the worst known in
Spencer for years. Traffic on the War
yen, Brookfeld & Spencer road was de-
layed, as was also traffic on the
Worcester & Suburban road. Passen-
gers on the former line sought refuge
everywhere it was possible 10 get in.
A large crowd gathered on the piazza
of the Massasoit hotel, and here there
was a panic, Landlord A. L. Grant of
the hotel rushed to the piazza, seized a
line OF hose and gave the startling IN
formation that the house was on fire.
The lightning entered the building by
means of a telephone wire. 1t struck
a gas pipe three-eights of an inch in
diameter, breaking it short off. The
cook detected the smell of gas and rush
ed to the kitchen. He lighted match
to ascertain the place of the leakage
and in an instant the room was mass
of blaze.
In a few moments the blaze was ex-
tinguished, but Where was excitement
galore for a few moments,
The brick chimney on the Boston &
Albany freight house was struck and
split squarely apart in the middle.
Brick was strewn in all directions.
The lightning also struck the barn of
Edward Stone on High street, and
Sagendorph's barn on Pleasant street,
and the steps of the Catholic church.
But little damage was done in either
case.
A maple tree on Mechanic street lost
a branch from the lightning. The eel
lar of the Waldo House contained about
two feet of water and miniature lakes
were common about town.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
BITTEN BY SNAKE.
Fangs of a Rather
Buried In His
Finger.
JOHN SONWELL, THE VICTIM,
Is at the City Hospital and
the Wound May Not
Prove Fatal.
JOHN SONWELL, THE VICTIM,

John Sonwell, employed for the past
Front street, is at the hospital suffer-
ing from an unusual wound received by
the bite of a rattlesnake on the index
finger of the left hand.
Sonwell is a snake charmer and
has appeared in this city several times
on exhibition with his pets. He was
attempting to remove the fangs from
one of the snakes, when he was bitten,
He was taken to the hospital, where
all that was possible was done for him.
Last evening he was suffering a good
deal of pain, but the doctors were hope
full that the wound would not prove
fatal
Sonwell had his pets away from the
playhouse where he has been EN-
ployed for some time. They regained
their freedom, and were roaming all
over the building. One of the snakes
has never had its fangs removed, and
Mr.. Sonwell decided that he would per-
form that difficult operation yesterday.
He had succeeded in removing one
Of the two poison sacks, and just as he
was about to remove the other the
snake struck at the finger of the oper-
ator and injected a quantity of the
poisonous fluid. AS soon as Sonwell
realized what had happened, he at once
bandaged up the finger, and calling for
a carriage he proceeded to the hospital,
where he was given stimulants and the
wound bandaged.
DR. A. w. Rounds took charge of the
patient and bandaged the hand in such
way that the flow of blood through
the hand was stopped. This is the
usual method of treating such a case.
The patient was also given a quantity
of stimulants and put to bed.
Sonwell is SO years old and is mar
ried. He has been living at the Wa
verify House, and his wife was called
at the hospital TO see him as soon as
the wound would permit. Sonwell was
expecting to go to Providence with the
snakes, and was preparing for the
trip when he received the bite. The
doctors have expressed their belief that
ehe patient would recover, but would
be laid up for some time to come and
would have a very sore hand.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
FRiGHTFUL AT WARREN.
Nearly Dozen Persons Rendered uncoa-
scious and Much Property Damaged.


Warren, June 15.-The lightning this
afternoon played havoc with telephone
Wires, and many places in the village
The rain came down in torrents, wash
ing the roads badly.
Lightning struck the house of 10
seph st. George in the southwest part
Of the town, and almost demolished it,
The roof was torn completely of. Mr.
St Georges wife and mother and
seven children were rendered uncon-
sciOus by the shock. Mr. ST. George
was at neighboring farmers, and
hurried home as quickly as possible
TO find his family and home in a sad
condition, the rain soaking through the
whole house.
Mr.. St. George himself received a
shock at Sam Adams, at whose place
he was when the storm commenced
All seem to have recovered from the
shock but the place is badly wrecked
Calvin Bliss on the Brimfeld roaG
had a very valuable COW killed by the
lightning.
Patrick J. Rielly's barn was strdck
by the lightning, the barn set on fire
and a horse killed. Charles who was
around the barn at the time, was
knocked senseless.
The house of George H. Ellis, Maple
street was struck by the lightning,
and Mrs Ellis and child were badly
frightened.
They were sitting directly beneath
the path of the lightning, and We're
made aware of the damage done by
the falling plaster, and cracking of
boards upstairs. One corner of the
house is torn in bad shape.
There was a big washout on The
Boston and Albany road at Cross
mans shop, West Warren. A big gang
of workmen was set Immediately at
work repairing it. Many bad wash
outs are reported through the town.
The private and New England Tele-
phone lines are practically useless.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
POLICE NOTES.
Thief Breaks Into a House But is fright
ened BY a Woman's sereamS

The police have been notified OF al
attempted breaking and enterpg OF
Frank NJ. Leach's residence a Al Co
burn avenue early yesterday prning
The attempt was made at 2.3fo'clock
yesterday morning, but the burglar
was frightened away/by the sFams Oh
Mrs. Leach.
Mr.. Leach is a compOsitor nployeu
at Leicester square ard WorH nlghls'
He arrived home yesterday nHnlnS at
o'clock and his wife told mp that
man had entered the housebut was
frightened away by her SCREENS.
He notified CHIEF of Police a. James
NJ. brennan of the attempts breaK
yesterday and Inspectors 9ne ana
O'Day are at work on the use Mrs:
Leach is unable to give a deflptlon OF
the man.
w. c. Whitney of 30 Florn ice street
reported to the police the lospt an lVer
johnson bicycle of SO mod, number
3S50S, frame had been cut dEn and ITS
color was bottle green. THfront tire
was a Morgan and Wrightand in one
place it was bound with 1ck tape;
The bike was taken fromn front OF
1863 Front stre9t.
The loss of another bicycHls also re-
ported. This one is Of WaVerly
pattern, "a inch frame, blaH enameled'
G.. and j. tires, and naturfFood rims
It's number is 128S13.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
BIG BARN BURNED.
Llghtning's Wicked work Caused Damage
of $4,000.

Leicester. June 15.-A large barn on
the Elliott place, two and one-half
miles from Leicester centre, owned by
Mrs. Mary Gagen. was struck by
lightning at O'Clock this afternoon,
and totally destroyed. Forty-five tons
of hay anG farming tools also went up
in smoke, and the loss is estimated at
$2500, with insurance of $500 through
the agency of Charles A. Denny of Lei
cester. The building is 10 feet long
and 80 feet wide and one side was
full of hay saved over from last sea-
son. The bolt struck the south gable,
split a four-inch oak beam, ignited the
hay. made a hole in the barn door and
disappeared. The four Gagen broth
ers were in the building. and ran for
water to put out the blaze. They
thought il was out, but it blazed up
again. They took two horses out of
the barn and drove to Leicester TO
sound the alarm. The fire department
with steamer No. !, made a quick trip,
and saved q hen house near the barn.
Daniel Gagen was stunned by the
shock, but recovered all right. The
hay was TO have been drawn off for
$50, ton next week.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
FREE TO SUFFERERS.
The New Cure for Kidney, Bladder
and Uric Acid Troubles.

Almost everybody who reads the news
papers is sure to know of the wonderful
cures made by Dr. Kilmer's Swamp Root,
the great kidney remedy.
1t is the great medical triumph of the
nineteenth century; discovered after
years of scientific research by DIR, Kilmer
the eminent kidney and bladder special
ist and is wonderfully successful in
promptly curing kidney, liver, bladder
and uric acid troubles.
Swamp Root has been tested in so many
ways, in hospital work, in private prac-
tice, among the helpless too poor to pur-
chase relief and has proved so successful
in every case that a special arrangement
has been made by which all readers of
The Spy who have not already tried it
may have a sample bottle sent free by
mail, also a book telling more about
Swamp Root and how to find out if
you have kidney or bladder trouble. When
writing mention this generous offer in The
Spy, and send your address to DIR. Kill
mer & Co, Bnghamton, n. Y. The reg
ular 80 cent and 81 sizes are sold by all
first-Class druggists.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
\ PARTING GIFT.

Division "a, A. o. H, held it's annual
meeting and election of officers in A.
o. II. hall last evening. The officers
elect are: President, Peter II. Breen;
viCe-p president. John w. Donnelley; fin
anciaI secretary, Thomas II. Donnaher:
recording secretary, James G.. Beswick:
treasurer, p. L. Clark. Peter H Roo
ney, a member of the division w. left
last evening on the midnight Apress
for New York on his way to Ireland.
was presented a watch charm and
chain by his brother members of the
division. President Peter H. Breen
made the presentation speech to which
Mr. Rooney responded,
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16

being struck by lightning. A pedler,
accompanied by a woman, neither Of
whose names could be ascertained, had
driven his cart under the bridge near
the local station, and had got up as
close to the wall of the bridge as he
could. After they had been there a
few minutes, a streak of lightning
struck the bridge and ran down the
side. The horse was knocked down,
and the wagon overturned, dry goods
and clothing being scattered in all di-
rectlons, Neither of the occupants of
the cart suffered injury, with the ex-
ception of the shock which was given
them by the occurrence. A number of
Boston and Albany section hands were
near by and rushed to their assistance
The horse was uninjured, and they
We're able to resume their journey.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16

through the roof of the barn owned by
Charles Farrar, on QuinapoXet street,
and killed valuable horse, which was
hltched to a democrat wagon. The bolt
set fire to the hay, and Mr.. Farrar, who
was at the rear of the barn, rushed
to the hay NOW with a bucket of water
and put the fire out,
Mr.. Farrar then rushed into the
house TO ascertain if his wife had been
injured, and then went back to the
barn. 1t was then he discovered that
his horse had been killed. There was
no mark whatever on the horse,
Some laborers who sought shelter in
a sand-pit came to Mr. Farrar's aid,
ana assisted him in putting out the fire,
which had again started The beams
about the barn were badly splintered.
The bolt went out through the north
west corner of the barn.
There was CONSERVATION at the home
of Charles Marsh, on Quinapoxet street.
Mrs. Marsh and her three children were
in the house when the shower struck
the village. All of the windows and
doors of the house were open. When
the shower was at it's height, a bolt
came from the clouds, entered the front
door and passed completely through
the house, going out of the rear door
without touching any part of the build
ing. Mrs. Marsh and her children
were dazed for u moment but other
wise were uTinJured.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
ONLY TEN I'M WORCESTER.
Father of Worcester Man Reported to Have
Died in Washington.

Chief of Police brennan received a
telegram last evening from Superin-
tendent of Police Richard Sylvester of
Washington, D. c., which stated that
man by the name of James Sullivan
had died there and wished the local
chief to notify his son, William Sulli-
van, of his death and to make some
arrangements for the disposition of me
body. The younger Sullivan is sup
posed to reside in this city, but there
are only 10 William Sullivans in his
city, SO the chief will depend upon the
man seeing this account in the news
papers and calling upon him for fur
Their particulars.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
Philips PIERCE

Miss Margaret Wendell Phillips, a
fc,mer member of The Spy reportOrial
staff, was married at Hudson yesterday
at high noon. Miss Phillips is a daugh-
ter of Capt John Phillips and a
groom was f. Allen Pierce, a rising
citizen of Waverly. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. Dr. Ella, assisted by
Rev. Arthur Dechman. Lohengrin' S
wedding march was played by B. w.
Rust of this city. A host of relatives
and friends were present from many
places. The floral arrangement was
the most elaborate ever seen in Hud-
SON
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
ATTRACTIVE 1 ooRAm.

Secretary Arthur WFalls Of Wor-
cester Sportsman's Clihas issued an
attractive program fthe first tour
nament of the seasd at the North
pond traps, Saturday hne "a. There
will be $40 of added bney, and the
10th and last event o1e program will
be a surprise for a lstantial prize.
Shooting will begin 40 o'clock, All
sweeps are optional, Ihandicaps and
nobody barred.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
THE RAIN DID 1T.
Lawn Party at Mr. Walkers Stepped But
Was Continued in Pilgrim Church.

Hon. Joseph H. Walkers lawn pre-
scented a very lively aspect yesterday
afternoon, booths were arranged all
over the lawn, flags We're flying, booths
We're decorated with red, white and
blue, extra electric lights were put in,
to give everything a gay appearance
during the evening. Everybody was
ready to serve the crowds that were
coming, when the clouds commenced to
gather and presently the rain came
down in torrents and beat upon the
booths so gayly decorated, and the
women in charge made hasty retreat,
taking refuge either in Mr.. Walkers
house or under Col. Smiths piazza.
Truckmen We're Immediately sent for,
and everything was transported to Pill
grim Church hail. where the booths
were re-arranged, and the party was
continued, but not with as much en-
ergy,as the women in charge felt some
what discouraged to see the sad re-
suits of three weeks hard labor How
ever, the sales went on under difficulty,
and all made the best of the matter.
Mrs Helen De Camp, in a short speech
encouraged the people to open their
purses and spend freely for the benefit
of the orphanage, saying: I'VE have
some of the sweetest candy that was
ever made, sold by some of the incest
young ladies in the country. We have
also nice cold lemonade made in the
shade, but not sold by old maids" 1t
was expected that 5000 would be cleared
if the rain had not fallen, but as it is,
probably not more than $l00 will be
made The bunting and everything
that was damaged will have to be paid
for out of the proceeds of the evening,
so that all contributions for the French
American orphanage will be greatly
acceptable.
The Worcester Opera Club, under the
direction of CT. Hanson, gave a musical
entertainment. Mrs Josephine L. Petit
was there with p children from the or
phanage, who sang and recited during
-, SV,,r
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
WORTHY OF ADDITION,
Board Track at the Oval is n An ImpOssi-
billy.

A project that is at prest in the air,
hut which promises to be9fruit in the
near future, is the erectidpf bicycle
track at the oval as soon ahe base bali
season closes. The idea Original with
the proprietors of the ovaRho nave al
ways wished to see a bicya track there
They expect to build a " OF a mile
track that will be outside Fpresent one
fourth mile cinder track
The new track, in order Pc construct
ed according to the ideas the BlgeloWS,
will necessitate the remoYpt the grand
stand back from its pre$ location, in
order to allow the track te put IN. The
fence back of right field III have to be
pulled down and built fome 10 or ~
feet further out.
The proposed track Y be made or
boards, as that is consfed to be. the
bicycle track these dal and will be
banked all the way arqi. 1t will be
banked eight feet on thp rns and four
feet on the stretch.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
WORST ON RECORD.
Brookfleld Suffered Big Loss on Account of
the Storm.

Brookffeld, June 15.-This town was Wis
tied this afternoon by one of the hardest
thunder storms ever witnessed by local
residents. The rain came down in foods,
while lightning struck in several places
The town house was struck, but little
damage was inflicted, the immense guam
tity OF rain preventing fire from catching
the building.
The house owned by Mrs Harvey Wood
on the road to East Brooktield was struck
shoftly after the storm commenced. and
a serious conflagration narrowly averted
The occupants of the house We're unhurt
but the flash of lightning set fire to
clothes in closet of the house. For
tunately help was at hand and the fire
was extinguished with little loss.
TWO cows owned by Charles Mitchell of
the OVer-the-rver district were killed
while many trees We're felled to the
ground by the lightning.
The large brick chimney connected with
the boot shop of Clancy & Son was struck
but sustained but small damage.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
THREE REGIMENTS.
Otis Enlsting Recruits Out of Philippine Vol
unteer Regiments.

Washington. June 15.-Gen. Otis is
organizing three regiments in the Phil
irpines, composed of officers and men
Of the state volunteers who desire to
remain in the service. If the full COM
plement cannot be made UP from those
discharged volunteers in the Philip
pines, the regiments will be organized
and differed in skeleton form until re-
cruits can be sent from the United
States to fill them.
These three proposed regiments, with
three regiments of regulars to sail
from San Francisco on the 22d and cath
and those under orders for Manila, will
give Gen. Otis $4,000 fighting men.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

c. A. Malm of the Greenwood Cycle
association is expressing the opinion,
that James J. Casey need not call him
self the best rider in the town. and
thinks that John S. Johnson Of his club
is a better bicycle rider than Casey.
The other central figures in the con
troversy have decided to drop TIE mat
ter. and save for an occasional distant
James Wilson. president of
the Associated Cycle clubs. and j. w.
Grady, the secretary. say that they are
not willing to enter into personalities
ia the matter.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
KILLED THE HORSE.
An Unenviable Experience of a jefferson
Fam W During the Shcwsr.

jefferson, June 15.-One Of the worst
electrical storms for many years visit
ed this place this afternoon. and some
damage resulted. The lightning was
so binding and the peals Of thunder
so deafening, that people were simply
terrorized, and. as one lady put il. we
prayed up here hard!" A bolt went
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
HOUSE AND BRIDGE.
Lightning Played Havoc at Holden aad
Rain Was Heavy.

Holden, June 15.-Lightning struck
the house occupied by Lester Pratt, at
40 o'clock this afternoon. 1t struck
the lower story and as all the occupants
We're up stairs, no one was injured be-
yond the shock. 1t smashed about 10
panes Of glass ip the lower windows,
and also a good deal Of the woodwork
of the cellar. The damage is about
SOS
Lightning also struck the bridge be-
low the railroad depot on the Fitch
burg Railroad The shower was very
heavy. and many washouts are re-
PORTED.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
2:20 CLAss-PURsE $3.50.
ADMIRAL CROSBY DEAD.

Washington, June 15.-Rear Admiral
Pierce Crosby, retired, one of the last
OF Farraguts active officers in the sea
nights Of the civil war, died here to-
night Of diabetes. aged rs years.
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
WAS A CLOSE CALL.
Pedler's Wagon oYerturned and Horse
Knocked Down sy Lightning.

South Spencer, June 15.-During the
heavy thupder storm this afternoon.
two persons narrowly escaped death by
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
DEATH NICHAEL O'HABA

Michael fa ! an old and respected
citizen ot clIy, died at his home
last nigh shirley street at tho 10
of So yea r o'Hara was born in
Ireland ~ came to this country
in 1919, n OF the famine in that
country. 9cated in Westboro. and
there liNN ~ years, when he va
turned native land. In 1862 he
again ca inns county and locata5
in Word where he has since re-
sided. F ti6ed for many years FOR
WashbJ Moen, and later for Al
bert Gu II was one Of the original
parishid q st Peters church. He
left a n nine children, as fell
lows: imam Sullivan and Mrs
John B ~ worcester, Mrs. Josenb
L. Coars .cester, Charles J. O'Hsra
promiu Afyer in this city: simon
P. Oh eInpioye at the Washburn
& Moe us; Henry j. O'Har5
mould Nabley's foundry: II. ;
O'Har arnard & Summers: Pc.
nard I ia and Francis V. O'Hara
The lawn party Of St MARIE
The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-06-16
SNOW AT PAXTON.
Unusual Scene Preceding June Thunder
Shower.

~ T ~ s17'' q VVIIU 7 WWIIUbT
Shower.
Paxton, June 15.-The drought was
broken IN a small way on Wednesday,
though the rainfall lasted for only a
very brief time. A peculiar feature
OF the shower was that at the begin
INNS and for few moments, quite a
Lail OF large snowfiakes preceded the
ran. me earth for nearly 20 feet
shows no moisture in a we'll beine dne
IN this village, but at % feet a Ieakaee
OF water came in between crevices in
the rocks - lli