The Somerset reporter., 1908-08-06
Much Damage by Small Hurricane

A wind swept through Smithheld,
Nye's corner in Fairfield and the
northern end Of Benton Friday after
noon that was little short of cyclone
and which did large amount of dam
age. One set of buildings was des-
troyed, many small outbuildings
swept from their foundations and
large barns and dwelling houses given
considerable of a twist. Miles of
fencing were blown away and scatter
ed over the face of the earth. 1t was
the hardest blow that has been ex-
perienced in this section of the State
for many years, if ever before. Show
hogan knew little about it until the
reports of damage began to come in
from the surrounding country, as
there was only good strong breeze
there.
In Smithfield the set of buildings
belonging TO Addison Caldwell was
demolished. The set consisted of
house, ell and stable and was located
on knoll. The buildings were top
pied over and slid down the side of
the little hill, complete wreck.
Mrs. Caldwell was at neighbours at
the time and Mr.. Caldwell in Water
vile.
The house of Cyrus Drew was NOV
ed on its foundations and consider
ably racked. Mrs. Drew and her two
children were at home at the time but
were not injured. A haystack of
about so tons out in field was scat
tered far and wide but it is thought
most of it can be recovered.
The union church of Nye's corner
in Fairfield lost its roof. This was
taken off clearly and deposited in a
field short distance away.
The barn Of Carl Wood, 12545 feet
and full of hay, was moved eight
inches on its foundations but no very
serious damage resulted.
At the home of Willis Holbrook two
chimneys were blown down and a
sheep shed subjected to peculiar and
very rough treatment. The shed was
between the house and the barn and
was taken from its position and car
ried over fence and dropped in a
heap in field. Just how the wind
happened to exert such force at that
particular spot without doing more
damage has not been explained.
Herman Williams was driving in a
top carriage near the corner and was
overturned and thrown out but es-
capped serious injury. The horse did
not run away SO the tangle was
Strengthened out without much real
damage being done.
There were some pretty lively do
ings in upper end of Benton. Consid-
cradle rain fell there and buildings
were blown heller SHELTER. Many
trees were blown over and many rods
of fencing lost. Chimneys on the
houses of E. B. Moore and Everett
Roundy were demolished. The hem
house of Joseph Spencer was moved
bodily several rods. The barn of s. j.
Piper was moved from its foundations
and hay rack blown from the wheels
and demolished.
A barn belonging to Leroy Bowman
was struck by lightning and destroy
ed with its contents consisting of four
tons, OF straw, two wagons, from 5000
to 5000 feet of valuable hard wood
and pine lumber and other property.
There was no insurance on the build
ing.
II. M. RICHARDSON was enployeu
painting the house of Mrs. Allen on
the Clinton road and had just reached
the ground when the ladder was
whisked away to quite distance by
the wind. There were many other
instances of small damage by the
wind in that section of the town.
Telephone lines in the vicinity of
Skowhegan were wrecked and Friday
night about all the central Office had
was few farmer lines.