The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-08-11
LIGHTNING
And RAIN.
Much Damage Done in Dif-
ferent Sections by the
Storm.

Wilmington and the surrounding conn-
try. was visited by another severe wind
and rain storm last night. In tho country
much damage was done. corn being torn
upby the roots, and hay which had been
stacked, was blown over and soaked
through. Shortly after noon residents OF
the city were notified OF tho coming storm
by pcals of thunder, which continued
throughout the evening until the rain fell
at 0 20 o'clock. The sky became black and
vivid lightning at Intervals illuminated it
for miles around. Tho ruin began fist in
shower and thon the wind shifted and 1t
became a little less than cloud burst. 1t
seemed to come from oil directions at one
time and an umbrella was no protection
to those who had occasion TO bs upon the
street. A slight fall of hail was noticed
In some parts Of the city but 1t was very
small and was hardly preceptable. No
damage was reported as being done beyond
few flooded cellars.
During tho storm last evening a tree
was blown down on A street near Town
send, and another on the causeway.
The heavy rain at Delaware City washed
the mud off the roads.
BRIDGE WASHED AWAY.
Reading. Aug. 1.-THE Wilmington &
Northern Railroad bridge across ALE.
ghany Creek, " as carried away during the
storm last night, and a disaster was only
averted By the watchfuiness OF the flag
man, Charles Westley, WHO discovered
the accident aud stopped heavily-laden
passenger train bound for the Joanna
Height Camp meeting just In time to pre-
vent it from plunging over tho embhnk-
meut The engine was not 10 feet from
the brink when stopped.
In this city tho storm was very severe.
Lightning struck St Andrews Reformed
Church. but beyond breaking several win
dows, no damage was done. -Four feet OF
water flooded the steam forge of the Read
ing Iron Works. and u flood OF two feet In
Pipe mill No. 8. Of the same company
made it necessary to shut down and sus-
pend the night force Of l5O men. Tons OF
mud and sand were washed upon the
street car tracks, necessitating the calling
out of shovel brigade to releGse ilnplis-
oned cars
Great damage was done in the Alle-
ghany Valley south Of Gibraltar, where
every bridge was carried away and all the
roads so BADLY washed that they are in:-
pnssable. Tho dam above the forge broke
and huge volume Of water rushed down.
four feot deep, sweeping every hing before
it.
Tho men at work in the forge and the
rolling mill. 100 yards bolow, saw tho
food coming and ran for ,heir lives. All
escaped, but those working in tho forge
aro surrounded by water, on small hill
near by, and cannot be reached before
morning. Tho rolling mill employees got
sway by climbing along the side of tho
mountain
Philadelphia, Aug. 11.-Much damage
was done hero and the loss by fire. rain
and wind Is very near sl0O, coo. The fancy
glass works at Trenton avenue and Westor
more and street was struck by lightning
and was entirely consumed by the fire
that followed. A trolley car was also
struck while crossing Market street at
Ninth, and lightning cracked and sp'ut-
tered about the cornors where tho light
wires nro concealed. Flames burst out in
several parts OF tho chr and in their en-
doavor to got ous the frightened passen-
rbn,1
other. Ono woman who had received a
heavier shock than the rest, had to be car
ried from the car and 1t was some time boz
fore she could move without assistance.
Tho fl g reserves wore called and tho flames
il tho car wero quickly extnsuiShcd.
So fierce was lhJ storm that the uccumu.
lated rain caused the large main sewer at
Thirty first street and Powolton avenue to
give way and fali in.
The entire ombankmcnt in front Of the
sewer and along tho Pennsylvania Rail.
road was completely washed away and on
to the railroad tracks. The force of water
poured down on tho track, causing q min
iature dolugo.
For an hour 1t locked as II the entire sys-
tom Of tracks would be wa ,hcd away by
tho force Of tho water.
A gang of mon were, however, placed at
once ~ work ana tho water was finally di-
verted into suice. this preventing tho
flood from doing further damage.
SEQ The beautiful s yies In the now Lud-
wig pianos They ure rich. Store 5lj
Shipley street.