The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-06-25
One of Sharpest Electrical
Storms Last Night
Ever Known
SEVERAL BUILDINGS
''fS SSIrnEABOUTS STRUCK
Lightning Accompanied by
Heavy Rainfall and
Great Wind

All the sky's pent-up electrical en-.
ergy and stored-up water supply in
weeks seemed to be discharged stimuli
taneously at the earth late last night
when most severe storm broke over
this section, accompanied by a wind of
almost hurricane velocity. The deluge
ended a long period of dry weather
which had promised to handicap agri-
cultural products seriously.
The heat and humidity of several days
gave way at about 10 o'clock to cooler
temperature and half an hour later the
rain began to fall in such copious guam.
titles that the parched earth was unable
to receive it. Seldom is such a rainfall
noted herea bouts, the drops even turning
to hail at one time and being driven by
the strong wind in a sharp lombard
ment. Trees were lashed and swayed by
the swift air current and many were laid
low, while large limbs were torn from
others.
Meanwhile there was an almost con-
tinuous electrical display with loud ac-
compartment of thunder. The lightning
struck two buildings and burned one of
them, that being barn on the Lyons
place between Williamstown and North
field, Shortly after II o'clock the storm
began to abate, and residents of this city
crept forth to repair what damage had
been done. Many of them found their
sidewalks completely covered with
deep layer of mud washed up when the
catch basins failed TO carry off the tor
rent, while some had to bail out their
cellars.
Street Supt Wilson had force OF
men out early this morning repairing
the damage to streets and sidewalks.
The Main street pavement for long
distance looked like an alluvial plain az
the rushing waters had brought down a
great quantity of earth and small stones
He reports that the gulleying OF roads,
as far as he had been able to investigate
this afternoon, has been negligible, al.
though on some of the hill streets the
water had gouged its way beneath the
surface and caused damage which viii
take some time to repair But. all in
all, there was quite remarka BILE freedom
from heavy loss in spite of the tremen.
dous downpour.
One of the mercantile establishments
to lose through the rainfall was A. Z,
Abbott & CO., whose roof again permit
ted a great quantity of water to run
down into the stock of goods Willing
helpers did what they could to avert
the damage however and thus the loss
was kept down considerably below what
il otherwise would have been Some of
the low-lying easements also received
b,,+ Ja
slight.
A rush of water undermined the Will
Jamestown branch of the Central Yer.
mont railroad at what is known as the
Holden road, and the early morning pas
,enger train from Barre did not essay Ia
PASS over the weakened place The train
'eturned to this city and crew Of men
we're sent to the place early in the fore
noon, so that the fill was made in time
or the $3.50 passenger train to pass over
IN the way to Williamstown.
Barn Burned to Ground.
The barn on the Lyons place on the
Dad from Williamstown to Northfeld.
hree and one half miles from the former
,lace, and owned until recently by
Henry Macl<in. was struck by lightning
luring the storm and was burned to
ne ground. The loss is estimated at
2 900. partially covered by insurance.
The barn was vacant, Mr.. Mackin havr
ng moved from the place only Tuesday
o the o. L. Cheever place on Gallison
i'll in Montpelier, which he purchased
f Mr. Cheever last week, giving his
arm in part payment for the same.
The barn destroyed was large one,
) by so feet, with slate roof and cleated
ides and had accommodations for %
ows. There was no one on the place
{ the time of the fire, The fire made
great illumination and was seen for
niles around.
Struck Old Schoolhouse.
Lightning struck the old school build
10 at upper Graniteville in the town OF
The brick chimney was
artially shattered and some of the clap
oarding was stripped from the walls,
he structure did not take fire and the
amage is not great. The schoolhouse
located near the Solid Rock chapel.
LANcED FROM TREE TO HOUSE
lightning Loosened Shingles and Clap
boards at Plainheld