Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-07-19
Plays Havoc About the
City, Monday Afternoon.
Scores Of Trees uprooted or
Injured cellars Flooded.
Crops Damaged. -GIass Bfokea.--Bulldlags
Sutfer.-.Enomous Nall Stones.

The most interesting thing Wh1ch
happened in Waterville. yesterday, was
the thunder storm, which was little
short Of q tornado. About three min
utes before the ma jority Of the observ-
ers were contemplating in their minds
the possibility Of a wind storm or thun-
dershower. the effects Of both were felt
in disturbances of the elements which
will 60 down in history.
The center Of this storm seems to
have been the northern part Of the
city, near the dividing line between
Waterville and Fairfield. At 3.15 o'clock.
without even the warning Of thunder
or lightning, the heavens opened as II
q thousand Elijahs had commenced In
concert to break up the drouth. Clouds
of hail and sheets Of water swept over
this part of the landscape, binding the
sight and raising havoc with every
thing that was not firmly anchored to
the ground. The center Of amusement.
at this time was at the Maine Central
station. 1t was just at this time that
the passengers for trains Nos. 102 and
II were making the usual rush on the
platform. Within two minutes after the
breaking Of the cloud, even the two
trains were obliged to wait at the mer-
cy of the elements; for it was obvious
ly impossible for people to attend to
their baggage when they could not see
the length Of the platform through
the binding water. The crashing Of
limbs, the twirling Of live wires which
could be seen on Chaplin street, a run
away horse making dark colored
streak in the direction Of College ave-
nue., trunk Of large dimentions, pre-
sumably empty, but which sailed over
the south end of the platform as if
handled by spirits, were enough even
to make the conductors forget that
they had trains which were due to de-
part.
The storm left about as quickly as
1t came and a refreshing atmosphere
and few uncomfortable suits Of
clothes were among the results which
were most commonly felt. Had the
storm lasted the usual time generally
occupied by squall. fearful damages
and great destruction would have been
the consequence. Considering. however.
that il lasted but four minutes it Is
rather interesting to note some Of the
things which happened in that short
length of time.
The damages to the wires are said
to have been considerable. Telephone
communications between Watervile
and Fairfield were necessarily sus-
pended and will be until at a late hour
this forenoon. The largest individual
loser which has come to our notice has
been Frank H. Mitchell, florist, having
greenhouse on Highwood street.
EiEhty-two panes of glass must be re-
placed before the greenhouse will be in.
its natural condition. The apple or
chards in this immediate vicinity were
blowing in all directions, for a short
time, with the exception of the larger
branches OF the trees which managed
to keep their hold on Mother Earth.
The shade trees of the city were
damaged. in many cases, to such an
extent that they will be hereafter, use
less. Several of the most attractive
trees on Ticonic street, four on Ash and
five on Oak streets were found in like
condition. About half Of a large maple
standing near the corner of the Lam
nigan residence on College avenue was
shorn Of it's strength by being cut into
half, the severed half being
thrown nearly across the street. The
garden truck in some localities
where the hail did its worst was COM
pletely destroyed.