Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1901-06-27
FURIOUS STORM
In PITTSBURG
Causes Loss Of Life and
Damage TO Property
DEADLY WORK OF LIGHTNING
One Woman Killed and Others Nav
Die-W Waters Literally Enguli
The Town

Pittsburg, June 27.-The storm
which struck Pttsburg and vincinity
yesterday afternoon was short in dura-
tlon. but terrific in power and disas
trous in result. The lightning and
thunder was practically continuous for
about 30 minutes. the wind cstained a
velocity of 30 miles an hour, and 4.G
inches of rain fell. In two minutes Of
this time Is of an inch of water fell,
which would represent inches an
hour The temperature fell "a degrees
within an hour One woman was kill.
&c instantly by lightning and several
other persons may die from the same
cause. numberless houses and church
es were struck by lightning and sov.
eral picnic parties we're panic stricken.
In the city proper no fatalities are
reported, but in Homestead Mrs. Alice
Lester. aged "a. was struck by light
ming and instantly killed. Her hus'
band is a steel worker employed at
New Castle. Pa.
Miss Grace Jackson, aged 10, OF
Homestead. was struck, and her re
covery is doubtful Richard Rucker
also of Homestead, was frlghtfully
burned by the electrical fluid, and will
hardly recover. Rev. John Saulton aad
Clay Fands we're badly shocked, but
will recover.
The waters rushed down the hills
around Homestead and literally en-
quilted the town. The extent of the
damage done there is the worst in tho
history Of the town, and will reacl
many thousands of dollars in property
loss. Resides the numerous house:
that were partially wrecked four iroi
bridges Of the Monongahele Stree
| railway were washed out. Dozens o
washouts occurred between Pittsburl
end Hazlewood, and street car trave
was suspended.
At South Avenue Park, at the en-,
Of the Suburban Traction company
line. picnic party composed Of 1,20I
persons, 700 Of whom were children
gathered in the dancing pavilion 70
cheltor from the storm. Lightning
struck a tree within eight feet of tn
pavilion and set fire to the structure
The picnickers were panic stricken
women tainted, children screamed ant
oven the men in the party gave way t.
their fright Fortunately the heav
rain cxtinguished the flames, AM
though a large number of the part
| 10. nj
none were seriously injured.
A similar panic ensued at St Jc
sephs Parochial school on Mount OIL
yer, where commencement exercise
were being held. The hall was file
with children and their parents whe,
lightning struck the building, teal
ing a portion of the roof away. Par
demonium reigned for a time, but n
fatalities resulted.
All through tho south and the ives
ends the storm carried destruction
with It. Phillips glass house at Nine
teenth and Mary streets had its 100
pound sheet roof picked up bodily an
carried across the street The Sout
Side Presbyterian church was struc
by lightning and numerous houses SUI
fered the same fate. A heavy lane
slide covered the tracks of the Pitt
burg. Virginia and Charleston raj
road with mud and stones TO the dept
of about Is feet, and trains wer
blocked for hours.
From all surrounding towns report
are coming in telling of the widesprea
damage done by the storm, all the Co
p, respondents uniting IN saying it wa
f the worst known in years.