The Republican journal., 1916-08-31
THE ELECTRIC STORM OF AUG. 23d.

On the 3rd page will be found some details
of the severe electrical storm experienced in
this section Aug 23rd. Later reports bring
additional particulars, summarized as follows:
In Montville lightning struck and set on fire
Zalisco H. Fosters barn. Luckily his cows
were in the pasture. Three horses and load
of hay in the barn were saved. The barn was
well filled with hay. The house was saved
by strenuous exertion.
In Winterport Albion Bolan and Reuel Cog
gins, High school boys working their first sea-
son as haymakers, had reached an old barn on
the McIntre farm. now owned by Ellery Bow
den, with load driven by John Larrabee. just
before the storm struck. Soon the old build
ing began to creak and sway and suddenly
came down with crash, burying the men.
hay and horses in mass of wreckage. The
boys managed to get out, although Boan was
struck on the head by beam and Coggins had
a cut on the leg. Larrabee, the driver, was
found pinned down by large timber across
his legs and the boys succeeded in rescuipg
him. The horses were unnjured The boys
are under medical treatment, but their injur-
les are not serious.
In some sections great damage was done by
hail. Carroll F. Clements of Monroe lost
about four acres of fine corn, which was cut
off within three inches of the ground. He
also lost all of his hoed crops. The hail stones
were of unusual size and % panes of glass
were broken in the house. We hear Of one
man in Brooks who lost all of his crops.
No damage of consequence was reported in
this city, but telephone and telegraph wires
leading out of the city were put out of COM
mission. The local lines suffered little or no
damage In the surrounding country the
damage by the wind and lightning was great
Belfast motorists returning from the Bangor
fair had hard time making the trip home and
say that in the vicinity of Monroe it appeared
as if cyclone had struck the country. Poles
were blown down, wires we're hanging and
everything was going before the terrific wind
People coming in on the evening train said
there were four fires in Thorndike set by the
lightning and twelve fires were reported on
the line between Belfast and Burnham.
Edwin S. Johonnett and hired man at the
Johonnett farm on the Palmyra road in Pitts
field were instantly killed by bolt of light
ming. They started for the pasture about ..
n to drive the cows to the barn and when
they failed to return the family became alarm
ed and searching party was organized to
lock for them. It was SO dark that they
could not be found. but Thursday morning at
daylight the dead ,bodies were found lying
close together on the edge of an open field
heading to the pasture. Mr.. Johonnett, who
was about AZ years of age, was progressive
farmer and assisted his parents. Mr. and
| and Mrs. Herman G. Johonnett, in carrying on
the big farm. He is survived by his parents,
who on Jan. 28 1918, celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary; by his wife, who was
formerly Mi iss Mary Lord of Palmyra; by
three sisters, Miss Emma J. Johonnett, Miss
Mabel Johonnett of Palmyra, Mrs. Louville A.
Cowan of Pittsfield, and by two brothers, Rev.
Charles H. Johonpett, pastor of the Methodist
church at Hampden, and Leslie Johonnett of
Palmyra.
/ In Appleton the farm buildings of Mrs
Callie Fuller were struck by lightning and
burned to the ground. Mrs. Fuller. who was
in the barn at the time. was rendered sense
less and was carried from the barn. The COW
and one horse were saved. About so tons of
hay. hogs, litter of pigs and large flock of
thoroughbred hens were burned. Only part
of the furniture was saved. Estimated loss
5000. partially insured.
report from Washington says that the
Edw. Creamer farm buildings were destroyed.