The Washington times., 1911-06-01

At least one person was killed and
several thousand dollars damage was
done in Washington and vicinity during
the rain and thunder storm that broke
yesterday afternoon shortly after 5
o'clock
The dead man was William o. Pars-
ley, prominent farmer, who lived near
Lay Hill. in Montgomery county. He
was struck by lightning just as he was
opening the door of a tenants house on
his farm. seeking protection from the
rain and wind. Although there were
several other persons in the house at
the time, none was injured.
Mr.. Parsley, who was fifty years of
age, leaves a widow and two sons.
So far as is known, this is the only
fatality that resulted from the hurri-
cane-like storm which broke so sud
denly over the Capital City. The prin-
cipal damage was done to the trees and
buildings in the city. 49,
Havoc About White House.
Gangs of axe men from the office of
the Parking Superintendent are iR the
White House grounds and on the streets
today, chopping and saving away the
debris.
More than 100 fallen trees confronted
the workmen when they went out this
morning. While the storm, which broke
the long heated spell, was general, the
high wind which accompanied the light
ming flashes and the thunder swept over
only portions Of Washington. So the
damage to parkings and street foliage
is confined largely to the sections be-
tween New York avenue, y street,
Fourth street northeast, and Seventh
street; the nelghborhood near Third
and r streets northeast, where several
dwellings were struck by lightning, and
in the White House grounds, where sew
eral of the trees suffered. A row Of
trees on street along Franklin Square,
was uprooted. e.
While the damage to the grounds of
the Executive Mansion is not great. the
lawns this morning were Uttered with
smaller branches which had fallen, and
the flower beds, especially the circles of
giant peonies, were beaten down by the
driving rain. ..
Shortly after the storm broke, at sos
o'clock, a vivid streak of lightning cleft
the giant ash tree which stands near
the Treasury entrance. to the grounds.
One-half Of the big tree fell, with trunk
stripped clean of bark.
Wishing Tree" Victim.
Trees in the enclosed Dark, back of
the White House also escaped without
injury, as did all of the trees in La
fayette Park with the exception of the
best known of all the foliage there
the giant Spanish chestnut known to
all Of Washington as The Wishing
Probably the first injury to prop
erty was done a row of new
houses at Third and r streets north
east where. the roofs were taken off
by, the high wind. -
Another bolt ripped part of the slate
roofing from residence at Seventh
and streets southeast, owned by
William Fowler. Still another, shatter-
ed the fagpole which for a score of
years has stood on the campus at
Gallaudet College.
A heavy gust of wind crashed in the
big plate glass window at the Occi-
dental Hotel, near Fourteenth street
and Pennsylvania avenue shortly after
the storm broke, and also blew out
ether windows in the hotel building,
causing damage which will amount to
more than 500. Next door, at Golden
stroth's restaurant, another window was
smashed. - l
a bolt of particular force struck the-
rear Of Patrick Collins dwelling. 1913
Lincoln avenue northwest, bulging out
the rear wall. Although Mrs Collins
and tne Collins children were Ill the
house at the time, Eone of them were
injured Fireman Cornelius O'Brien, Of
No. 12 engine company, however, went
10 the collins home and remained with
the family. until the storm had passed.