Evening journal., 1899-06-21
LIGHTNING SEVERE.
Heavy Storm Swept Over This
City Early Last Evening.
WIND BLEW, THUNDER ROLLED

SELDOM WITNESSED IN THIS
SECTION OF THE COUNTRY.
LIGHTNING Made ELECTRICAL
PLANTS UNCOMFORTABLE.
The most severe electrical storm Of
years visited this city last evening, and
for time the sky in the northwest
was lighted up by continuous and
vivid flashes of lightning.
Early in the evening great masses
OF dark clouds began to form to the
west and north Ct this city, which, as
darkness came on, grew more dense
and formidable.
Shortly before O'Clock the wind be-
gan to rise. and in a few minutes
heavy wind storm swept over the city.
Awnings tapped, signs creaked and
the trees bent under the force Of the
gale After the wind had subsided
somewhat, lightning began to play
pranks in the heavens. Vivid and
startling flashes of electricity streaked
the dark sky to the northwest, which
at times seemed to rend the heavens
asunder. Forked flames shot in rapid
succession in every direction, and the
sight was a grand one 70 behold.
Shortly after the storm set in the
heavens were lighted from the re-
hection Of a burning building to the
north of the city, and large crowds
gathered upon the street corners. and
many went upon the rolfs OF buildings
to get a better view Of the conflagra-
tion. Soon after the first reelection in
the sky was noticeable in the direction
of Concordville, another was seen, ap-
lparently from a fire near Rockford,
and later a third appeared from the
direction OF West Chester, but at that
time nothing definite could be learned
Of the exact location Of the blaze.
During the progress Of the storm in
this city telegraph and telephone com
t munication was entirely cut off, as nj
= one cared to risk the danger Of &
= shock by using the wires.
r AT the police station, while Operator
S Wallace was talking over the tele
phone. there was a bright flash o
+ lightning followed by the cracking c
the wires in the room Wallace wa
stunned and knocked against the wall
but soon recovered
a In the telegraph offices fuses wer
y burned out, and electricity shot fortl
p i'm every direction. The police and fir
alarm system was cut cut soon afte
: the storm began to avoid damage q
i. the apparatus.
i Around electrical plants the light
I ming made matters interesting 70
those who were employed there, an
IF in some instances balls Of fire flew ou
y Of the switchboards. and empDoye
t. gave the boards a wide berth.
: The Delaware and Atlantic telephon
service did not snffer any damage fror
s. the storm. AS a means of protectio
about 200 coils were taken out durin
g the storm and a number OF fuses re
moved. The relays were also cut on
d as the lightning coming in over tn
wires kept the lamps lighted thu
d causing a constant drain on the Gun
m rent.
The Delmarvia Company only suffel
Ia ed slightly. The extent Of damage o
Of its line was few fuses burned Gu
f Both lines were in full service a shoi
time after the storm. AT the electr
= light station the Sixth street CONNIE
es cial system was put ous of operatio
by crossed wires.
te As soon as the wind began to ri'
ct the crowds at the parks made a brea
for home and for time street ca
Z. were crowded with people seeking
he place of Shelter from the on-ccmir
en- storm. Up to about 9 O'Clock but lit
'n rain had fallen and it was thought Il
n storm was over, but at that hour it s
k in, and the wind blew and rain fell
he torrents. The thunder, which up
at that time had been low, them lbecan
- heavy and timid people we're unable
I'd rest. Soon after IL o'clock, howevC
tn the moon shone cut from behind q
les clouds and the rain ceased, the stor
ms passing over toward New Jersey.
-, G. w CHAMBERS INJURED.
,io While the storm was at its woI
rt- George w. Chambers, a member Of I
on morocco firm Of Charles e. Fritz & G
accompanied by his wife, was drivi
-e- down Broome street toward Lancasi
he avenue. The horse and driver we
in shocked by an unusually bright fla
Of lightning. When the horse recov'
ed himself he gave jump and \
and Mrs. Chambers were thrown fro
ch the carriage.
on Mr. Chambers alighted on his he
for in the street, and was stunned. NJ
ug Chambers escaped with a few bruii
ich Both were carried into the house
an Charles Skinner No South BrOO