The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-22
PAINTING CROWDS
CAUGHT IN PARK
. by SUDDEN STORM.
Thousands Begged for Rain,
but Were lJnprepared When
Prayers We're Answered.
Wild Rush for Home

Rain was what they wanted yes
terday--the swetering, dust-choked
people of Richmond. IT was what
some of them had prayed for. and
what they got in huge package In
the shank OF the afternoon. Inclden-
tally. they were for the most part un-
prepared. Awaiting an answer to
supplications, they had repaired to the
parks in drovea that taxed the car
service. and were not aware of the
impending relief until it was almost
upon them. Then there was a wild
rush for home and shelter, but many
there were who moaned over bedrax-
gled summer suits and new straw
hats.
From the carly hours Of the morn
ing, the heat was almost intolerablc,
growing worse as the day wore on.
me streets were covered thickly with
dust, which was put in motion only
by the passing cars and vehicles.
thousands of people crowded the cars
and thronged the parks with the hope
OF gaining some relief from the con-
ditions In the city. There they found
grass and shade of trees. which helped
some but there was not enough breeze
TO stir the leaves.
Caught In Parks.
During the hottest part of the ar
tcrnoon. a little after 1 O'Clock, the
sun Was hidden and a stiff wind came
up. bringing before IL a cloud of dust,
which might well be compared TO the
sand storms of the desert. The acct.
mutation on the streets was picked up
and carried in dense swirling mass.
50 thick that at times 1t was impossi.
bic TO see person for the length of Il
block, Gathering into cloud for a
few moments before the rain came, the
dust could be seen hanging over the
city in canopy and extending out
over the river, where II resembled Il
heavy fog.
/, was at this time that the throng
of fresh air seekers realized that some
thing would probably be happening in
"a very short time. The few cars
which had brought out the latest con-
Isignments to the parks, were besieged
by an army that II had taken the entire
equipment the best part of the after
noon TO get out. With people hang
Ing 10 every available strap anu handle,
lthey pulled for the city
Then the rain began TO lay the dust.
and before half OF the retreating crowd
could reach their corners. it had been
converted into mud, and water was
standing in small ponds all over the
streets. Many ran for it." some took
refuge in the doorways. shielding them
selves as best they could by crouching
and turning their back TO the storm.
ture OF an extra nicke. or two, rode
around the loop. some OF them several
times. An idea of the size of the crowd
in the different parks may be, gain
ed from the fact that the first sew
leral cars leaving the sheds just be-
fore the storm broke. got the tail ends
OF the soaking lot on their next trip.
Signs Blown Down.
After the storm. besides the fact that
1.-THE ground was wet and the air sew
lcral degrees cooler. there was ample
evidence that the wind which preceded
the downpour had done its work.
Along the streets signs which had
hung namely a short time before We're
Lying on the sidewalks, torn from their
places. Many trees were bereft of
large branches and some of the small
| er ones were twisted off in spite OF the
protection afforded by the boxes around
| them
| The soft drink men. who pull down
Il their blinds and stir their own little
atmosphere with electric fans had dono
| rushing business all day, but when
tho storm broke there was the addi-
ltional inducement of escaping the pelt-
ling rain. and customers poured in.
Grateful for the shelter and In most
cases thoroughly out of breath they
were inclined to buy. The soft drink
men smiled and turned on extra fans.