The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-16
TYBEE IN A STORM
BOLT OF LIGHTNING STRUCK THE
CUPoLA OF HOTEL TYBEE.
SET THE CUPOLA ON FIRE.
EXCITEMENT REIGNED IN THE HO-
TEL FOR A TIME.

came HystericaI-Rushed Franti-
caIIy Hither and Thither-SOme
Packed Their Valuable Belongings
in Order to Move if the Fire Could
Not BE ContrOIled-Flnmes Were
Extinguished without Much Loss.
Hard Luck story of n Man Who
Held Four Aces when the Light
ming Struck-COlony of Tents Put
Out of Business by the SiXty-MiIe
Gale.
Tybee Island was visited yesterday
afternoon by a fierce wind and rain
storm, which conspired with the ac-
companying thunder and lightning to
thoroughly alarm many of the resi-
dents and visitors. All escaped with
out physical injury, but the shock to
their nervous systems was not incon-
sidera BILE.
The material damage was not great,
but there was every reason to fear
for a time that dire results were to
follow a stroke of lightning which
struck the Flagstaff on the cupola of
Hotel Tybee. rending it to fragments
and hurting them to the sands.
Personal discomforts and some little
financial loss befell the camping con-
tingent. Their canvas shelters were
torn down by the wind and their per-
sonal effects were scattered about the
beach. 1t was sad stroke for the
campers, and they were bewailing
their hard lot. Some decided that they
had better return to the city, but 9TH
ers declared they would stick to it,
though it was the second time within
week that their roofs had come
tumbling about their ears.
watched the Gathering storm.
For half an hour the storm was seen
gathering far out at sea. About 4:30
o'clock the wind began to blow with
accelerated velocity. 1t came hurting
across the sea. whipping the waters
into tossing whitecaps and hurrying
them up upon the beach. Walkers on
the sands ran to shelter and then turn
ed to view the storm.
Soon appreciation of the scenic ef-
fects changed to alarm. From out the
midst of the pail of lowering clouds
flashed the zig-zag lightning. This py-
rotechnic display was accompanied by
the loud detonations following the
flashes, but they were as the report of
a musket to the lannon's deep roar in
comparison with the one mighty crash
of the storm.
This was when the bolt descended
upon the hotel. Women screamed,
children cried and all rushed hither
and thither. alarmed by the crash and
the crv of fire" that was not long
in following.
In the pavilion in front of the hotel
were a number who had taken shell
ter. These saw the Flagstaff struck,
and a moment later they deserted a
thin wreath of smoke ascending. The
lightning had followed the staff
through the roof of the cupola and ig-
nited the wood in the cupolas attic.
Fire Followed Lightning.
Immediately after the cry of fire"
Proprietor Charles F. Graham Capt
NJ. Ed. Wilson, Clerks Leon S. Levy
and Joseph McCuen and others went
as rapidly as their legs could mount
the stairs to the cupola, securing
hand eXtinguishers on the way. Ar
rived at the cupola, they found diff
Guilty in reaching the fire. Efforts
were made to get to it from the out
side, which proved futile, resulting in
nothing more than the loss of Capt.
Wilson's hat, which was sent scurry-
ing over the housetop. 1t was seen
that different tactics would have to be
followed. A hole was soon made in
the ceiling. Through this two or
three members of the ever-swelling
fire brigade pushed their way. and an
intelligent use of the eXtinguishers
soon put out the flames.
Within the hotel during the minutes
the brigade was fighting the fire, con-
sternation reigned. One lady tainted;
others grew hysterical; others thought
of their children, and gathered them
together; others thought of worldly
possessions, rushing precipitately to
their rooms to pack valuable belong
ings. Jewels were the especial objects
of the attention of a number and val
liable ornaments were pitched into
cases, which were tucked under the
arms of their owners. who fed with
them to the neighboring cottages. or
make a rapid flight should it be found
that the efforts of the fire brigade were
without avail against the wind-fanned
flames.
1t was a relief to the ladies when
reasuring news was brought from the
cupola. 1t was not known five stories
below how it was going with the crew
that was fighting flames not far be-
meath the lowering heavens. The fear
was of the WIND. AS luck would have
it, however, the flames did not secure
a vent so that the wind could reach
them. Had this happened, it would
have been but q matter of a few MIN
utes befoT the hotel would have been
in a blaze, despite the deluge of rain
that began to fall This came in great
sheets, and il was said that it was
instrumental in helping extinguish the
fire.
When Mr.. Graham was able to take
note of the damages he found the N
but slight. Some repairs will be nee
essary in the cupola, but it is thought
that $25 will cover them.
Broke Up a Little Game.
Such danger as that which threat
ened the hotel is never without it's
amusing episodes. These can best be
appreciated after all danger has pass
ed. One of the most amusing was the
experience of a quiet. social little poker
party, on the top floor.
The game had been going for some
little time. The four who were sitting
in had trailed along with varying sue
cess or lack of it, and the time had
arrived when everybody was trying TO
i