The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-08-07
ELECTRICAL STORM.
Severe Battle of the Elements
Over Oskaloosa

The most severe electrical and rain
storms Of the season passed over the
city Sunday afternoon and evening.
The afternoon rain fall amouuted to
three sixteenths OF an inch. The
lightning played on anything and
everything. Two bolts descended
some where in the immediate vici-
nifty of the HERALD Office, entirely
too close for comfort. The great
sparks" discharged by means of
the telephone pole at the corner of
Mace Hagan's, Bashaw barn. The
occupants of the barn office were
considerably shaken up but no one
was hurt. The bolt or small section
of it came into the HERALD Office
aud made lively demonstration
around the gas pipes and telephone
wires.
Sunday night and Monday morning
two and a quarter inches of water
fell, as reported by Mr.. yreeland' g
gauge. One storm rolled up after
another in quick succession and the
down pour was almost continuous.
The electrich part of the storm was
very severe. The lightning played
necessarily in one part or another of
the storm clouds making flash after
flash in continuous illumination.
The thunders amounted to constant
roar that lasted tor hours. Not for
an instant did the rollings and
'tumblings cease. Ever and anon a
terrific crash would indicate that
some discharge more violent than
others had occurred in the vicinity ,of
the listener.
The heavenly artillery in this battle
of the elements kept up such can
nonading during the hours of the
night that sleepless night wa the
rule rather than the exception among
the citizens.
Trains on the Rock Island were de-
layed few minutes today by high
water at Evans and Leighton, Much
akinock Creek which runs through
Evans is out of its banks and this
morning there was nearly a foot of
water on the railroad tracks The
trains were not impeded as it was
found that the road bed was as solid
as ever. At Leighton part of the
track was little out of line and the
$40 train to Des Moines was slightly
delayed on this account. The accident
was soon remedied however and no
great inconvenience was experien-
ced.
The rain last night was expremely
heavy at Evans and the lightning
jumped around promiscuously. Con-
siderable damage was done to houses
in the lower part of the town carpets
and furniture .sbeing caught by the
rising creek. The town presents
bedraggled appearance this morning
and although the water is now going
down, it ia still doing considerable
damage. .....
Lighting struck the Presbyterian
church steeple during the bonn bard
ment of the evening storm and shat.
tered some of the wood work of the
belfry. Several trees were struck
about the city but no great amount of
damage has been reported.
During the harder parts of the
storms the operating girls at the
telephone offices were compelled to
leave the switch boards to care for
them selves for the time being.
Numerous telephone poles about the
city received shock and in conse-
quence several instruments are burn
ed out.
The home of o. D. Mosher was
struck during the afternoon storm.
the family was considerably shock
ed but no oneswas seriously hurt. A
door where the bolt in the shape of
a great ball of fire went out was
some what shattered. Other wise no
damage was done that can be seen.
The house seemed for a moment to
be filled with flames and it was
thought to be on fire but the family
returningIafter the first scare found
no flames.
Big Barn Burned
The large barn on the Nose Davis
place south east of the city was
struck by lightning during the storm
of Sunday night and burned to the
ground. The barn contained among
other things about ten tons of hay
several sets of harness and some
small grain. One horse was Gre
mated. The loss will be in the neigh
borhood of $4,000 covered by in
surance.
Slight in juries often disable man