The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-05-20
FIRST
ELECTRIC
STORM

Larimore, May 2O.-Reports from
Hatton state that lightning struck
the Great Northern depot In that city
at about 0 o'clock, setting fire to the
building, which was badly Quilted be-
lore the flames were checked.
Telephone lines are down and fur
ther details of tn fire are lacking, but
1t was stated soon after the first re-
port that the freight, express and bag
gage which was stored in the freight
room was saved from the flames, but
considerable Of it badly damaged by
the rain after being carried out.
Communication Cut or.
Communication was completely cut
off when the bolt struck, rendering the
telegraph and telephone service use-
less.
Rain fell on and off throughout the
day heret and a heavy shower fell in
the early evening. farmers saying that
1t was worth considerable money to
the crops. No damage from lightning
was reported in this vicinity.
crookston Soaked.
Crookston, Mimi, May 2O.-A heavy
rain, accompanied by a lively light
ming and thunder display, visited this
NSSNAOA Vi thS Ndll0S IdSl hight SOu-
siderable damage was done to tele-
phone and telegraph wires and re-
ports, unconfirmed of farm buildings
being struck in the country north Of
here, came in late tonight. The rain
is welcome, for farmers who have
crops in feel that it will do worlds
of good.
Storm West
Devils Lake, May 2O.-The storm,
which seems to have been general
over a wide portion of the state last
night, did not dodge Devils Lake.
Rain fell at intervals during the aft
ernoon n evening and last night was
accompanied by lightning and thun-
der. Bolts evidently struck close to
the city, judging from the shock felt
here and the vivid display of light
ming. At an early hour last night no
damage to farm buildings had been
reported.
At Grand Forks
Grand Forks, N. D., May 20.-Light-
ming played mad pranks in the city
last night and the Security block, on
Third street, in particular was visited
by a wanton. bolt, its entrance be-
ing made through the skylight ami
down the elevator shaft, according to
Ed. Thompson, janitor who was in
front Of the building when the fash
came.
No exterior signs of the bolts en-
trance. were d~iscernable in the inky
darkness of last night, but residents
of the block will vouch for its little
party calls, in close proximity to diff
ferent apartments and suites.
Fiirts With Motor.
Thompson soon after the flash,
went to the basement, where an cleo
trician had been engaged in fixing
electric wires. A. motor, acting per-
fectly docile and as silent as any
motor. when not in action, suddenly
took a notion to begin today's work
and hummed away merrily for a few
minutes, finally quieting down for the
night. after a sleepy elevator boy had
rubbed his yes to discover If he
really was awake or dreaming.
An electric piano on the fourth
floor will require the services of q
mechanic today. as it apparently at
tracted the curiosity of the visiting
blue streak and was short on motive
power at this writing.
DR.. r. 3. Foster sat in his office
on the third floor when the bolt
struck. A photograph on a stand
near which he d was jolted from
it's rest and thrown to the floor and
the SHOCK. as though the building
had been struck, plainly felt by the
somewhat startled professional man.
Several ladies, in the apartments Of
Miss Fannie M. Reese, on the third
floor, were given a severe fright and
there was general confusion in diff
ferent apartments Of the building, it
being the general impression that the
same had been struck and that fire
would follow.
Noted Across Street.
The travelling men ana guests at
the Hotel Dacotah who were stand
ing in the front door when the flash
came, felt the shock and two were
thrown back into the hotel doorway
They state that they first saw a vivid
ming down the center of the interior
Of the Security block across the street
and Their the crash.
The rain was general all over this
section Of the country and frequent
showers during the afternoon fresh
ened up gardens and lawns and drove
industrious husbandmen indoors from
their work about their homes.
The air grew suddenly close and
oppressive soon after 2 O'clock and 1t
was not longer after that the heaven
~ arIllleTy Stdrteo. pSalS VI tLluHuSL
and vivid streaks of lightning, dart
ing across the heavens, causing con
siderable anxiety.
Much Good.
The rain has done much good and
crops will thrive, in the opinion OF
farmers and others. Most Of the
grain Is in and should there be de-
lay in seeding some pieces Of land
planed for wheat, 1t is expected that
this will mean a larger crop Of flax,
as It Is not too late, for this is a prof
table crop, especially in this locality
with a ready market for straw as
well as seed. No reports of damage
in this section of the county came In
last night, although ~carefule inquiry