Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1903-1917, 1904-07-16
LAST NIGHTS STORM.
The Electrical Display Was Not En-
ioyed by Timid PaOnIe.


ed to 7S.lO0 Of an inch. 1t started about
II 30 o'clock and lasted an hour and a
half or more. During that time people
VINO We're out of doors were treated to
the most brilliant display ever seen in
waterbury, hot excepting the display
given on Independence day, and also
received ducking that made them
look as IL they had been trailed
through the Naugatuck river from its
source to the Sound. Bolts of lightning
darted through space almost continue
ously and the rumhling noise of the
thunder was most terrific, prompting
many who We're In bed to get up and
scurry around to see IL they could find
more secure place. Considerable anx-
tety was felt in every home while it
was on and In some instances timid
women folks went into Mysteries, chill
dren screamed and chicken-hearted
men turned pale. But even the stout
est quailed at times, and little wonder,
for houses rocked to and fro, blinds
banged, trees creaked and groaned and
the rain struck tin roofs with such
force one not aware of what was
going on would naturally rush to the
phone and call the police station,
thinking that the house was being
made cock shot of by an army OF
vandals equipped with an unlimited
supply OF brickbats. Some people
claim them never heard the thunder
nor saw the flashes of lightning, and
assuming that they are telling the truth
they have reason to be thankful, for 1t
was severe test upon the nerves of
folks who watched 1t from the inside,
especially the sick, and people who
were away from home and had friends
whom lhey knew would be wondering
where they were and how they would
fare in the storm were on the fidgets
until it was over and they got chance
to make break towards home, some
thing nobody could think of doing until
1t cleared up, for the rain fell in tor
rents and one exposed to 1t would be
soaked while passing from one door to
aonther.
The ripping up or the dirt roads in a
few places caused q little more work
for the street department. and created
employment for few men who would
have been idle to-day II the elements
had not gone on rampage. The sur
face water drains came In just right
and as a result the damage to the
streets is comparatively light COM
pared with what we used to see before
storm water conduits were installed in
places most affected by surface water
during heavy rain storms. The cleo
trio light service was paralyzed in
some places and the schedule of the
trolley cars was knocked askew; but
all things considered the company rem
dered pretty good service, and while
everybody wanted a car and kicked be-
cause it was not on hand, still after
people thought it over they realized
that 1t was out of the question to give
satisfaction on the trolley road last
night. twas not case Of go as you
please, but make the best hand you
can of the situation. A car was stalled
in Brooklyn, owing to the accumula-
ton OF sand under the Highland divis-
ion bridge, and another was unable to
proceed on the homeward trip from
Naugatuck until the scraper appeared
and tossed the dirt out Of the way. The
Bank street car had to get little as
sistance, too.
The fire alarm service was damaged
somewhat The bell in the tower of
Holmes, Booth & Haydens' shop was
put out Of business. the magnets burn
Ing out. 1t will take about week to
place the bell I'm shape again.
Some OF the streets In the north end
were nipped badly, but the havoc
worught there was slight compared
with what occurred in Brooklyn. where
things We're tossed about like straWs
In. a violent gale, mud being tossed
against the sides OF buildings and piled
up several inches high on the side
walks all the way from the railroad
crossing to Riverside street. The water
rose SO high in the Naugatuck river
people commenced talking of the need
of boat. but 1t abated In time to
allow visitors to that part of the town
to reach home before morning. A bolt
of lightning struck the chimney of the
residence of ID, T.. Word, 405 Washing
ton avenue, knocking down as many
OF the bricks as were above the roof
and tearing off several shingles. The
bricks bounded on the building with
tremendous effect and while the mad
dance was on the occupants of the
| building didn't know whether they had
better step outside or remain where they
were. But they concluded, and per
| haps wisely, too, to stand their ground,
and in so doing probably saved them
selves from coming In contact With the
/ flying pieces. A tree on the property
/ of the Third Congregational church was
| another victim, and the crash was
| heard SO distinctly In the neighborhood
and created such excitement many
braved the storm and peeped out to see
If the edif1ce was still standing. The
sand roadways were Quilted, but the
cobbIe pavement on washington ave
nue. and the vitrified bricks on Bank
street never looked better than they
did this morning. The bricks looked
as if they had been secured with So
luton Of soap and suds and We're the
object of so much admiration that
Jimmy Bvers, who sweeps them daily
and keeps the street In excellent condi-
ton. admitted that he was not In it al
the street cleaning business with the
elements. The water didn't so into
Tom KelIy's store, but 1t came danger.
ously near It, and while the clerks con
tinued to wait upon customers they
kept one eve upon the movements OF
the incoming tide and the other on
! what thew were doing and stood in