Bridgeton pioneer., 1900-07-12
SUNDAYS GREAT STORM.
Fences, Wind Mills, Trees, Buildings
and other Properties were
Wrecked.


Wrecked.
lt was about two o'clock yesterday |
afternoon when sullen peals of thun-
der rolled ominously and it was ap-
parent that there was a rain storm
approaching. Over ia the southwest
the clouds blackened, and increasing
in size swept this way. There was a
peculiar color in the sky, and many
became somewhat apprehensive
Gathering in force, almost before
one could realize it. the wind came
on and the storm broke. Instantly it
seemed -as if there was bowling
cyclone rushing over the city. Trees
swayed, limbs cracked, snapped off,
were whirled through the air, wagons
moving along the road were rocked,
and threatened to be toppled over.
People walking along the streets were
hurried along, not able to withstand
the mysterious force that swept upon
Them The dry dust was caught up
and whirled in perfect clouds, made
1T almost impossible to see, and be-
fore windows and doors could be
closed houses were filled with dust,
dirt and grit, and housekeeping was
in order after the rain came. For
about ten minutes the cyclone spent
its fury here and then swept on across
the country. Heavy peals of thunder,
frightful lightning flashed. and a
deluge of rain followed A little later
the clouds broke. the skies cleared,
and the sun came out, while over in
the East beautiful rainbow ap-
peared.
There was much damage done about
this part of the country. Here in
town fences were leveled, chimneys
toppled over, roofs were unfaStened
and rolled up, while trees were blown
down and limbs were snapped off and
strewn about the streets. Consider
able damage was done the telephone
and electric light wires, but fortu-
nately there were no serious results.
Maple trees were damaged most.
The limbs were apparently more
brittle and easily breakable, and espe-
cially on Church street were they
most damaged. The limbs fell across
the trolley wires on Church street
and upon North Laurel street. and
for time the service was held up.
Road Master Quimby was out imme-
diately with special car, had the
limbs removed from the wires and
the service restored. The electric
light men had troubles all their own
many limbs being across their wires
and in some instances wires were
pulled down. These were promptly
repaired.
Cohansey street suffered consider
ably. Several big trees were down
blocking the streets and carrying
wires with them. Tin roofs from
buildings upon David P. Elmer's
property were swept off, and a part
of them carried to North Laurel
street.
There was some damage done at
the Park. Several sections of the big
base ball fence were carried down.
One of the pavilionS over the water
was twisted somewhat, but not
greatly injured. Chairs were lifted
from the platform and carried out
in the pond. The waters of the pond
were dashed into perfect fury, and
the rolling waves dashed high over
the banks. A couple of big windows
were carried out of the merry-go-
round building.
Over about Hampton, New and
Vine streets, the residences that are
considerably exposed suffered con-
siderable, a dozen or more big Chin
neys being carried away.
A part of the iron roof on the Co.
hanSey Glass Companv's tank was
lifted off, and rolled back. Some lit
tie damage was done the steeple of
the First Baptist Church.
During the heavy storm the funeral
of the late Philip E. Souders was
held, and the wagons were held up
on Pearl street by fallen limbs. and
going about Bank street, were obliged
to cut themselves out.
There was considerable damage
done out at the Hospital for the In
sane and the Aims House. Fences
all about there were torn down and
one of the wind mills was levelled.
The roof over the administration
building of the Hospital was started
up, but was not carried off. The
baluStrade about the cupalo was torn
down.
Over at Minatola the new building
for, the tank glassworks of George
Jonas was levelled to the ground. do
ing damage to the amount of possi-