Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-04-10
FRANKS OF STRONG
WIND PLAY HAVOC
ON CITY STREETS
Tenth and Market Corner Was
Dangerous for Any But
the Strongest.
UMBRELLAS IMPOSSIBLE

An ordinary ito be expected April
rain was turned into a very disagrecable
storm today through squally gusts of
wind, that blew gu" umbrellas, broke
off signs, blow over small buildings, tclc-
graph poles and manifested itself IN a
destructive way generally.
Those who had business near Tenth
and Market streets and who walked
there realized the force Of the wind. 1t
was the same distressing experience for
pedestrians at other corners when there
were high buildings, but in lesser degree.
As usual, the wind was much stronger
around the Ford and du Pont Buildings
forming sort OF gulley.
Traffic Officer Donohoe stationed at
this point, tried to stick to his post in
the middle of the street. but the wind
nearly blew him into a couple Of auto
mobiles and he found it safer to use the
pavement.
This was market day and many I'M
suspecting ladies well laden with their
week marketing received a surprise
when they reached Tenth and Market
streets, and some fnery was also spoiled
when hats did aviation stunts. In many
cases it was three things that the ladies
had to look ont for and before they
settled in their minds which one Of these
was the most important all three had
happened They were skirts, hats and
market baskets.
One lady was ID bad plight for about
five minutes when with market basket
in each hand. she was blown against a
pole IN front Of the Ford Building and
was unable to proceed. She finally
managed with the help of couple Of
men to get IN a doorway Of the Ford
Building and left BY way Of Market street
and remained off Tenth street.
Men and women were on the chase al
morning, trying To capture their head
gear A messenger boy OF the Western
Union was making his way hy the corner.
when his cap went off, together with five
messages which were carried out Of sight
by strong puff OF wind. The boy had to
make another trip 10 the office 70 get
duplicates Of the messages
Some persons had escapes from flying
glass and slate from roofs torn loose by
the heavy wind. A large tree Of Eighth
and French streets was blown over and
narrowly missed hitting a passing auto
mobile. The glass in the large storm
doors of the police station was shattered
by the wind. There was much other
damage done in various parts OF the city.
Wrecks OF umbrellas lined the curbs
along Market street. like hotsam along a
strand There was but one way TO
wear" an umbrella safely and that was
accomplished By grasping the tip lightly
between finger and thumb and allowing
the wind TO blow it out, ike 4 pennant
from a staff Flags Jared sadly; few cscap=
ed being rent or ribhoned
The awnings over the King street side
walks tapped and snapped and bcllied out
like the sails on Il frig&tc
4 BARRIERS sign Al > East Sixth street
lost the glass Of its swinging sign; many
branches % shade trees were broken. but
no serious accidents have been 80 far
reported
The wind seems 70 have done very
little real damage The property at III
French street, owned by the Bush estate,
and adjoining the Long restaurant, had .
wall partially caved in no one being in
jured, however. The work Of straight
ening the wall and reinforcing it has al
ready begun. Building Inspector Ellis
p Preston, so far, reports no other dam
age in the city.
4 large tree was blown down st the
corner Of Eleventh and Madison streets
Shortly before ? p. IN. a section Of the
copper caves of the roof Of the Ford
Building was torn loose and fell at the
corner Of Tenth and Shipley streets,
narrowly missing two pedestrians
Simon Keen, $50 Spruce street, suf-
iered q broken shoulder blade this after
noon, when a sign over "a cigar store on
Fourth street east Of Market street
fell and mt him,