The Cape weekly tribune. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1914, 1914-09-11
LIGHTNING PLAYS
HAVOC IN CAPE;
2BUILDINGS HIT
Barn is Burned and Bolt Tears
a Great Hole in the Alt
Mansion
STREET CARS CRIPPLED;
HOLDS UP NEW SPAPERS
Electrical Display Frightens Res
idents and Thunder Makes
Heavens Roar

A severe electrical storm accom-
panied by a heavy downpour Of rain,
visited the Cape Tuesday morning at
about 8 o'clock.
The storm suddenly and unexpect-
eddy and lasted for almost an hour.
Wicked flashes followed by deafen-
ing claps of thunder, played inces-
sanity, and the heavens were almost
constantly in state of brilliant illu-
mination. Glittering blue flames flash
ed and darted along exposed wires and
metal fixtures, and the atmosphere it.
self seemed to be heavily charged with
electricity.
| The disturbance ceased almost as
suddenly as it had appeared, and in
few minutes after the echoes of the
last peal had faded away, the stars
came out and the sky was cleard per-
fectly.
! Many citizens who had been arous-
ed from their slumbers by the furious
outbreak, again retired to finish their
nights rest after the storm abated
and the clouds had moved away.
Their peacefulness was soon to be
broken again, however, as their first
experience was only a forerunner of
one of the most furious and fear in
spring aerial turbulences ever record
ed in this section of the country.
At about five o'clock great surging
banks of clouds appeared and in their
efforts to forge ahead, seemed to toss
and tumble as if struggling to escape
the wrath of some unseen force that
was driving them onward.
The heavens were again con-
cealed in inky blackness, and the Sec
ond storm burst with renewed fury.
The machinery at the power house
could not withstand the immense volt
age of electricity that was carried into
the plant, and finally some of the es-
sential parts give way, after which
it was no longe" possible to distribute
power throughout the city.
The Tribune was Just ready to go
to press when the breakdown occur
red, and for seven hours work was
suspended while the necessary repairs
were being made.
The power was impaired during the
progress of the first storm, but opera
tons did not cease until the second
outburst an hour later.
For several hours the street cars
were unable to move, and traffic was
completely blocked.
The beautiful residence of Captain
Alt was struck by lightning during
the storm, and the interior was great
ly damaged. A large hole was torn
in the roof where the bolt entered and
fragraments of timber and plastering
were scattered almost over the entiIn
house.
Immediately after the stroke, the
whole roof seemed to be completely
covered with a thin blue blaze. from
which would dart long red flames Tia.
appeared to leap from place to place
over the charged surface. rha spec
tacle was visible for more than two
minutes, and the blue light finally ap-
peared to gradually fade from the
. edges, and concentrate with great
brilliancy near the spot where the bolt
entered the roof. When it had at last
: assembled into what looked like an
: immense ball of fire, the object sud-
, denly flew into atoms, sending mil
lions of sciutiIlating eparklcs in all di-
, rcCtiOnS.
The house is moccupiod, and il
| was sometime after the disappear
r ance Of the strange phenomena, that
; admission was gained to the premises.
f Investigation showed that the in
| terror which is kept in a scrupulously
/ orderly condition, was in a bowilder-
; ing state of confusion. Heavy pieces
e. of furniture were turned over, cur
I tains were torn from their fastenings,
/ and parts of the woodwork were splin-
tered and broken. Every exposed sur
r face was covered with heavy layer
I of crumbled mortar and brick dust
S and badly disordcrcd condition ex-
t listed in every part Of the house.
p Considerable damage was also caus-
D cd by the rain pouring through the
}, hole in the roof where the lightning
r entered.
t Fortunately the building did not TO-
S mite as they generally do when struck
by lightning,
e A barn belonging to Al Graves, n
p prominent contractor, who livCs on
r South Henderson avenue, was alec
I struck, and completely destroyed bv
q tho fire rcsuItin~.
r. Mr.. Graves was standing on his
s. back porch at the time. and fmr,r-
q diately after IN" flash. rrnltr.G rbos
{ his barn had boon struck.
z v. w. Ellis Of Ste, Gouoyicvo is i'm