Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-02
STORM VISITS The CAPITAL
BRILLIANT LECTRICAL DISPLAY,
HEAVY RAIN.
Strikes Number of Build
ings-Blaze in a Dwel1ing-coun-
try Barn Damaged.

The artillery Of the skies did some heavy
cannonading above this city last night dur
ing tropical thunder storm which came
down from the northwest about II o'clock.
Preceding the downpour of rain, the crash
ing thunder and the bolts Of lightning that
darted hither and thither, came q number
of black scud clouds flying low over the
housetops, telling of the anger of the ele-
ments that was to follow.
The display of atmospheric electricity was
most brilliant, the flashing lightning at
times being incessant, and reports today
show that the bolts struck several buildings
In and about the city. although no serious
damage or fatalities are said to have re-
suited.
of Mrs. Mary Ahern. S32 d street southeast,
while the storm was at its height and set
fire to the rafters. Not knowing the extent
Of the damage that had been done. the oc-
cupants of the house hasteneu to the lower
floor and remained there until truck 7
company responded to call for assistance.
The blaze under the roof was soon extin-
guished. and 1t was estimated that about
$50 damage had resulted
Strikes Flagstaff.
A heavy thunderbolt descended from a
black cloud Immediately over the business
center Of the city shortly after II o'clock
last night. 1t came straight down. accord
ing to an observer, and was accompanied
by a crashing report. The bolt struck the
large Flagstaff over the northwest corner Of
the Hotel Raleigh. 18th street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue. and split it in twain. The
metal ball that capped the stan was torn
from it's fastenings and hurled away, and
a great mass of splinters fell upon the roof
and down to the street. 1t is said the SER
wants who occupy the rooms Immediately
beneath the Flagstaff were greatly fright
ened by the crash Of the electric discharge.
cd hot har ha
Chain bridge was struck and one Of its
sides knocked off by flash of lightning
that zig-zagged from the mass OF storm
clouds overhead. Several trees are also
said to have been struck.
Lightning also struck a car of the
Georgetown and Tenleytown electric rail-
way about 11:45 o'clock last night as it
was proceeding toward Rockville.
The car was well filled with passengers, it
is said, and had reached a point near the
Willows Hotel on Wisconsin avenue. when
. thunderbolt descended and struck the
track. The electricity ran along the rails
until 1t came in contact with the car. put
ting its mechanism out of order, and caus-
ing the car to jump the track. according to
Mr. Karl Heurich. The axle of the car was
broken and the passengers considerably
shaken up and alarmed, but no serious in
jury was received by any one. The car
was lifted from the track by railroad men
and traffic resumed without much delay.
The injured car was removed to the shops
for repair today.
Local in Character.
The storm came from the northwest. and
Prof. Alfred J. Henry of the weather
bureau says it was local in character. but
had considerable energy and made lot
Of noise" Another weather man described
1t as premature celebration Of the ''glori-
Gus Fourth by the elements"
We can look for thunder storms almost
any time at this season. added Prof.
Henry.
How about the Fourth he was asked.
Everything looks pretty good for the
day we celebrate" was the reply. There is
no rains in sight. and conditions will be
cooler tonight. Tomorrow, and Thursday, the
Fourth, will be fair and warmer, and the
Fourth of July is generally productive Of
thunder showers, we may have one of those
disturbances in the afternoon. Electric
storms are reported from many sections Of
the country"
' Temperature Today.
Notwithstanding the fact that the sky
was overcast with cumulus clouds this
afternoon. the downtown pedestrians
sweltered under a temperature Of SO de-
grees in the shade. registered at 2:15
o'clock this afternoon on the giant Their
In, NJ nh