New-York tribune., 1900-08-13
SIXTEEN DEATHS REPORTED BEFORE A
STORM BRINGS COOLER WEATHER.
LIGHTNING STRIKES OFTEN. AND NINE
PERSONS ARE HIT AT a PICNIC
WIND CAUSES LOSS OF LIFE.
The temperature yesterday as recorded by
the local Weather Bureau, was follows:
sHighest
Number of heat PrOstratiOns reported II
Number of deaths reported. .16

Number of heat PrOstratiOns reported
Number of deaths reported.
One of the fiercest sieges of hot weather which
this city has known for years was broken yes
terday by a sudden and violent thunderstorm,
and tired city dwelers. utterly worn out by heat
and humidity, sleft last night with more com
fort than they have experienced for days Ac-
cordng to the Weather Bureau. there will be
local rains to-day and probably Tuesday. with
light winds from east to south.
Ushered in by a dust storm worthy OF the
sandy Sahara. made all the more thrilling by
background of densely dark clouds. which
banked themselves in the Jersey horizon. and
which were occasionally pierced by brilliant
flashes Of zigzag chain lightning, the promised
storm materialized after every one had given IL
up but the weather who predicted it, The
clouds began to gather in the west about 1:SO.
coming from both north and south They rap
idly drew together. and dense mass ad-
vanced toward the steaming brick city. There
was wind in quantities ahead and behind. and
in passing over the Jersey flats sand and dust
by the ton picked UP by the storm. This
binding vanguard swept across the E-S< River
as a solid sheet The lower half split into
thousands of pieces by the solid blocks on the
river front. but the pieces found their way into
every street and alley from upper Harlem TO the
Battery The dust coated the trolley passengers.
blinded the pedestrians and found its way into
countless windows and doors.
Then came the rain Only a few drops there
were at first, which almost sizzled they
splashed against sun-baked pavements and
walls of brick. But the sizzle and steam were
over in a moment, for the rain came down IN
wet, shivering bulks. made muddy puddles out of
the dust which had come before. drenched every
one who could not find immediate shelter and
lowered the red and silver Innings OF the ther-
mometers a whole degree at time. 1t was
What thousands had beeD rra wing for asuacfaI-
" in the crowded tenement houses. where the
greatest suffering has been There the children
left off painting and ran out into the deluge.
They wore but little clothing. and with cries OF
glee exchanged sweat beads for cooling cloud
drops.
The wind did not cease with the rain, but con-
tinued to blow in gusty squalls. which were most
dangerous 10 the numberless small craft which
were to be found every waterway, and even
made the big excursion steamers take to cover
or run before the storm The first squau which
struck He'll Gate caused the only fatal accident
10 boating reported during the day. A father
and daughter sank after short and terrible
struggle and the who with them mar
rowly escaped Nearly a hundred small boats
were surprised offshore between Manhattan
Beach and Coney Island and Sandy Hook. and
were forced TO run into the Narrows and Graves
end Bay for safety. Most Of them had time to
take in sail and scudded into shelter under bare
poles
AT the many beach resorts there was a mad
rush for shelter. Thousands OF bathers hurried
out of the surf Countless women who had VEN
tured among the crowd TO show newly bought
fnery crowded the hotels and covered booths.
and made faces at the storm which the multi
tude received only 200 thankfully.
The lightning darted around the heavens long
after the rain ceased to fall and. in fact. was
still darting late last night Occasional venture
some bolts found their way earthward. making
prey out OF hagpOles and chimneys setting fire
TO frame houses and barns. With every strike
made by the lightning came a deafening crash
Of exaItation from the thunder gods One can
nibalstic bolt darted into an Usage orange bush
in North End picnic park under which a EuE