The times., 1899-07-17
HUNDREDS STORMBOUND.
The Lightning Plays Havoc With
the Trolley Roads.
A Disabled Power House and Pros
trnfe Wires and Poles Block Traf-
he on Four Suburban Lines for
Five Hours-Houses UnrOofcd and
,-nny Trees Destroyed in the City.

The rain and wind storm which visited
the city and suburbs of Washington last
evening was one Of the severest of the
summer. Water fell in torrents, causing
sewers in South Washington to back water
up into the streets, washing out suburban
roadways. and in numerous other ways
producing much damage.
The James Creek Canal swelled until the
water flowed over its banks in the vicinity
of the N Street bridge. In some parts Of
the lower end of the city the streets were
converted into miniature rivers and canals
whereUn boats might have been used. A
heavy wind accompanied the rain causing
great havoc among trees in the suburbs
and uprooting some inside the city. A
large tree in front of 624 T Street north
west was blown down. II fell against the
house ard broke a number of windows.
The street was blocked. The wind unroof-
ed the house of ]. c. Saulter, at 1881 Wilt
berger Street, causing about $500 damage.
Fortunately no one was injured, although
the occupants OF the house were badly
frightened
The street railways, particularly those
The greatest damage by reason of the
storm. The power house OF the Bright
wood Railway Company, on Brightwood
Avenue, was struck by lightning and dis
abled. A large smokestack was blown
down and the dynamos injured. All traffic
on the road ceased and persons from the
city, who had travelled out the road dur
ing the day, found the greatest difficulty
in returning 10 the city.
Almost a thousand persons were storm
bound at Glen echo, Cabin John Bridge,
Tenleytown, and various places along the
lines of the Great Falls Glen Echo. and
Tenleytown railroads. Many cars were also
disabled by the burning out of their
motors. This would not have been so
bad had not the storm blown down poles
and wires at a certain point along the
Tenleytown Road. and thus cut OF en-
tirely the electric current of the three su-
burban lines mentioned all OF which re-
ceive their motive power from the power
house by means of wires along the Ten
leytown Railway.
These poles and wires were blown down
about o'clock. and communication with
the city was broken until very late
hour in the night Owing TO the ex-
IRENE heat of the day. several thousand
persons rode TO various suburban resorts
storm began, about $50 o'clock, there were
fully thousand persons in the vicinity of
Cabin John Bridge. 1t forced them TO seek
shelter at the hotel. The rain fell IL
torrents for almost an hour. Then there
was a rush for the cars.
The first car leaving the bridge was con-
seeuently packed with passengers. II did
not proceed far before the rain began 20
fall again. Then the motor burned out
al.
to leave Cabin John Bridge came up just
in time to push the first train as far as
Glen Echo AT that place the motor on
the second train burned out also. and the
four cars in the two trains stalled. A
third train of two cars then came along
and, after being attached to the disabled
cars. began TO push the heavily LOADED
train toward the city. Nearly 800 persons
were on the six cars. When this long
train reached Curtin's Club House about
four and one-half miles from the city. the
current gave out entirely, and the passen-
gers were compelled to remain there FIVE
hours. The cars stopped about o'clock.
AT 9 O'Clock there was no prospect that
they would start again. Many passengers
left the train 10 walk TO the city. At
that time the cause OF the trouble was
not known. 1t was impossible to obtain
current, but whether this was due to the
power house being disabled, or to a break
in the feed wires, could not then be ascer-
tanned
When the Great Falls Line was dis
abied the Glen Echo and Tenleytown lines
were also rendered useless. and the great
crowd of pleasure seekers was left praeti-
cally without means of reaching the city.
Some were in cars al various points a 'ong
the railways several hundred yards. and
in some instances farther. from any street
or road. On every hand was either sticky,
yellow clay or muddy water. Through this
many of them waded 10 reach the nearest
house or road. Some persons were plucky
enough to walk several miles to road
houses, where telephones might be
reached. They telephoned to the city for
teams. Other persons, especially young
and athletic looking men. walked home
There were women with babies. They were
forced to stay in the cars.
The rain beat through the cars, damp
ening frail garments and light summer
suits. Some of those who walked TO the
city wore canvas shoes and crash trousers
The mud had very unfavorable effect
upon such attires. workmen were sent to
the break along the Tenleytown road after
the storm had passed They worked ene.-
Eetically until late hour making repairs.
and il was not until after midnight that
cars we're again operated.
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