The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-08
RAIN And LIGHTNING
QUEER PHENOMENA DURING THE
HEAVY STORM.
vari-COlored Sheets of Water on
Monument PIace-A WOman's Ad-
venture with a Tub.

The storm that broke over the city yes
terday afternoon was one of the most Sc
we're that has visited Indianapolis in years.
Not only was there a deluge of water, but
the electric accompaniment was vivid and
dangerous. Prior to the storm the sun was
shining with intense warmth. About 3
clock huge black clouds seemed to settle
in the northwest. A half-hour later the
clouds began to show in other skies and
within short time they all combined.
Then a roar of thunder heard. pre-
coded by faint lightning. The rain began
to fall gently. The lightning increased as
did the thunder and in a short time the
whole armory seemed TO break loose over
Indianapolis. Flash after flash of lightning
came and peals of thunder crashed with
such volume of sound as to send men,
women and children to seek places of
safety.
The downpour of rain became greater.
The rain fell In such torrents that for fully
fifteen minutes no object could be discerned
clearly four feet away in the open street.
The Weather Bureau last night said the
precipitation was Ia inches from 4:25 TO 6
o'clock. The greatest downpour was one
inch in thirty-five minutes. In one minute
of that time IL of an inch of rain fell The
wind also played an important part in the
storm. During the heavy rain strong gale
from the southwest blew across the city at
the rate of thirty-eight miles an hour.
On the Circle there was fine scene. The
rain was falling in such volume that the
mere outline Of the monument could be
seen. The lightning seemed TO play along
the sheets of water. The water was in
regular sheets and the lightning kept fit
ting along, dancing over the waves and
changing colors as II moved.
STRUCK TUB OF WATER.
Another phenomenon occurred on the
West Side. An old woman was putting
out some tubs to catch the rain water
One of the tubs was already full. and she
was placing another beside it. A bolt of
lightning flashed before her eyes, causing
her to lift her head. The fluid spent its
force in the tub of water. The water
spouted about five feet in the air, entire
ly covering the woman. The lightning
played havoc with the telephones and fire
alarm and police boxes. A great many of
the telephones were temporarily put out of
use.
The rain poured down on the streets until
the sewers were unable to carry ii away.
At p. m. Delaware street from South
to Ray street, was covered with water
to the depth of three inches. No street
cars were able to pass through it, Shelby
street was in like condition, The stalls
and roadways in the South Side market,
which are slightly lower than the street
level, were under eight inches of water.
Many cellars were flooded. large sewer
close to the tunnel on South Illinois street
burst early in the storm, sending a river
into the tunnel. The wind carried away
many branches of trees, corlices, shingles
and tiles. The streets, after the water had
subsidized, were filled with rubbish
The members OF the bicycle police force
were kept busy last night placing red lights
around town where trees had been blown
down during the afternoons storm. The
greatest damage said to have been
done in this line the North Side Along
the sidewalks and given shade during hot
afternoons were twisted off and blown into
the street.
A large sewer along East Louisiana street
was damaged. and last night red lights in
profusion were placed along its sides TO
warn travellers OF its danger. The heavy
rain on top Of the earth and the great flow
of water through the sewer caused ii to
give away hole about two feet deep was
the bricks had caved In. This extended sew
eral blocks.
Police Sergeant John Boylan has a house
at 907 South State avenue. occupied by A.
r. Davis, that in a measure upsets the old
saying that lightning never strikes twice
in the same place" About a month ago the
house was struck by electric bolt and
was damaged. Yesterday afternoon light
ming again hit the house at the chimney.
about half of the roof. No one was in
iurad