Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-06-22
TERRIFIC RAIN STORM
Fell in Torrents and Streets
Flooded All Over the
CITY.
ACCOMPANIED BY ONE OF THE
GRANDEsT ELECTRICAL DIS
PLAYS EVER SEEN.
Street Cars Knocked Silly and Electric
Lights Put Out-Some Narrow
Escapes.
EXPERIENCES OF PARK CROWD

Friday night one of the most severe
rain and electrical storms ever known
here burst upon the city and envelop-
ed it for two hours. Few such eXhi-
bitions Of natures grandeur were
ever seen here. For two hours the
rain descended in torrents and the
sky seemed rent in twain by the
flashes of lightning and peals of thun-
der.
The atmosphere had presaged i'll
during the afternoon. The tempera-
ture was very hot and close, and later
it became evident that storm was
brewing
Early in the evening the sky was hid
from view by the clouds which had
been gathering In all directions light
ming was seen, and by many people a
9 O'Clock it burst upon the city. The
rain fell as a veritable deluge, filing
up the streets and choking the bitches
and drainage canals. The drainage sys-
tenn of the city was wholly Inadequate
to carry away the water, and the
streets became lakes and ponds and
rivulets. In many instances the side
walks were covered with water. This,
after flowing away, left deep de-
post of silt GIL the sidewalks, making
them almost impossible. nt: "=.
This grand demonstration of nature
was witnessed by a large crowd at
Bell park, Not anticipating what was
in store for them, big crowd had
gathered there to witness the perform
ance of the Spooner Dramatic COM
pany The show had just commenced
when the storm broke. Being an open
air pavilion with nothing but a shingle
roof to shut out the elements, the viol-
ence of the storm was keenly felt.
The noise caused by the downpour of
rain on the roof and tne rumbling of
thunder made it impossible to hear
the lines of the actors. Those who
occupied the front rows were even de-
prived of hearing their voices by the
noise of the elements. With the
loudest clap of Slunder the incandesc-
ent and arch lights went out and the.
pavilion was in darkness. The play
ceased until candles were brought out
and placed about the stage. With the
use of these the play was resumed
and finished. So loud and constant
was the noises FROM the outside. how
ever, that the most attentive failed to
hear enough to get the connection OF
the story being presented. - -...--
At the conclusion of the show it be-
came known that the street cars were
dead. Wild rumors were af1oat that
lightning had come in over the wires
and had irreparably injured some OF
the lighting machinery of the power
plant. These rumors caused great
uneasiness and speculation as to what
means could be employed to return
home.
Fortunately the telephone was in
working order and many persons ord
cred hacks and carriages. at 1aheF
prices a..
After waiting an hour or more after
the conclusion of the show, the trouble
on the car lone was remedied and cars
were soon at the park, and the walt
ing and anxious people went to their
various homes. a
1t was learned Saturday that Il
rain and lightning had ent"flee{ed.
siderable damage, ana nlanytruck -.
escapes from death were part Of av
Trees in some INSTANCES found in VII
with lightning, and .{j5evalks. Tie ar,
the city limbs of IT, tr ~ the correr boz
the streets and q9,Ts1nst q,s1os T. streets Ws VII
old warehouse wa'nT, The electric:y jail
q sarrssss .,sst sown with the S wires q & sed
came iy'