Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-07-06
Fierce Storm, Tuesday, at Oak
land and Watervi|Ie.
The Estimated Damage is Between
$4,000 and 5000.
Barns and Buildings LeveIlcd and Hundred OF
Trees Blown Down.


lied the worst storm which has visited
this section in years, Tuesday night
Up to a late hour no fatalities were re-
ported. although it was feared a party
of young people from this city VIII
had been spending the day sailing at
one Of the ponds. had persisted. and as
The result there was no end to the anxi-
ETY.. II Is estimated that the damage
done amounted 20 between 5000 ana
sl5. 900.
The damage was worse in the west
ern part ~ the city ana in the vicinity
nf Oakland. In Oakland proper the
damage Was 50 great that IL could not
be estimated. Tuesday night.
During the day the heat was simply
terrific. II was In fact the hottest day Of
the season and the most uncomforta-
hle. Every flag which had been used
for decorating purposes hung at the
mast head. as limp and lifeless as tho
majority Of people who had spent tn"
night before In celebrating. Shortly
after noon. a slight breeze sprung up
and clouds began 70 appear in the
west. By O'Clock. the clouds in the
western horizon began to be shaped i'll
such manner that ii ala not require
much Of weather prophet to ten that
there was danger ahead. Or at least Il
| thunder storm that would probably ~
felt in this locality.
Before two hours had passed :ho
muttering thunder fulfilled the predic-
tons Of the amateur weather prophets
ana drops OF rain much larger than
> h.. g 81,
These changed to those Of a smaller
size. and with the reduction in size
came the increase in number until tha
streets became channels for swift flow
ing streams Of 81 great volume thai
| the man holes gave up the task of try
ing To take care NJ the water as hope
| .lrsS. ana allowed the muddy current
~ back over the sidewalks into peoples
cellars doing several hundred dollars
worth 81 damage - goods which had
been stored away.
At Oakland the ioWnpour for a few
moments Was accompanied by hail
stones as large as a mans thumb and
in So great numbers that hundreds Of
dollars worth Of window glass was
broken out. For the few moments
while the storm Ia Eted the downpou-
was 81 great that it was possible to
sec only - feet ahead. Beyond every
thing was a mass Of rain drops ana
hail stones.
With the rain came a heavy wind.
To those living in the western part of
the city ana near Oakland the storm
seemed to be 4 combination Of two
storms meeting with such force that
4 miniature WhirlWind was formed of
sufficient velocity To break trees seV-
eral feet in diameter short off and tear
down great branches that would have
taken 4 chopper with an axe several
hours to sever from the mother trunk
Parties coming in from the ponds
counted on the Oakland road 20 large
trees By the road side which had been
lail fiat by the force Of the wind. on
Pleasant street. within the city limits.
ana but two streets beyond Main street.
there We're two trees laid fiat across
the road. In the City hall square 4
tree several feet in diameter had been
torn down by the force of the wind.
That was within 500 feet of the city
hall.
In Winslow the sheds of the kiln al
the brick yard of r. l.. Proctor We're
completely demolished and the parts
scattered about as though built Of
nothing more than straw. The de-
struction comes at a very inOpportune
moment for the reason that there is a
great demand for bricks and in order
TO meet the demand it has been found
necessary To increase the capacity Of
some Of the plants in this section.
on the River road no Western cy-
clone in a mild form ever created worse
disaster Several barns were twisted
and torn until nothing remains but 4
mass of timberS. One of the greatest
losses was that of c. H. Redington's
barn on the River road. The barn
stood in a much exposed place and on
account of its size, 40X50 feet, and the
location, mad been propped up to make
it more secure. The props We're torn
down as though they We're nothing but
paper candle lighters and left without
the barn was left at the
mercy Of the winds and totally destroy
ed Mr.. Redington was planning To
begin haying in day or two. and is at
loss to know how to dispose of his hay
The barn when new cost $500. 1t was
built at a time when lumber and labor |
were much cheaper than at the pres
ent time.
At the farm of c. II. Nelson was an |
old barn in field. The barn was left |
open that the horses might have a |
place to run in when it rained. Several |
horses had gone into the barn during |
the shower. When the barn was !
caught by the wind and torn down the |
horses escaped uninjured and did not |
appear to be frightened in the least.
All communication by wire with |
towns was cut off through |
the effects of the wind. Attempt af- |
ter attempt was made to get connec- |
ton with Oakland to learn of the fire !
at the car shops but for once the ac- |
cor,modating people in the hello Of |
fee were unable to crafty the wishes |
of the subscribers. Through the |
of the central office the Jour
nal is allowed an all night connection |
between the Waterville and Augusta |,
Continued on page ~