Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-10
MUCH DAMAGE
BY Storm AT
LEWISTON

Lewiston, Nc. Aug. s.--The neaV-
lest rain OF the summe2. accompa-
MED by q severe electrical storm
broke over this vicinity THURSDAY
afternoon about o'clock. Hoodins
the streets, severely Gripping the
telephone lines. completely stopping
the electric railway traffic for the re-
1nainder OF the night, and for several
hours leaving the two cities in DARK
ness. The electrical storm lasted I'M
til late into the night and the ram
continued until Friday noon with IN
checked violence. Considerably over
Two and one-half inches fell.
The greatest damage done by the
storm was caused when a single boi'
of lightning struck the plant OF the
Androscoggln Electric Co. at Deer
Rips about O'Clock. passing through
the lightning arresters and causihs
a shutdown of the lightning car
cults for some time. A big crew
from the company was immedIatetE
set 10 work. and labored all night.
From SO o'clock last night all the
electric roads were tied up. and there
was no service on the lnIerurhan
or the L., A. & w, lines from that
time until this morning at $50 Al
that time all lines were in operation
except the Brunswick and Bath nnE'
which. owing to a short circuit, DID
rot begin until 80 o'clock this at
,ernoon. For several hours last night
the cars remained in the streets. but
were later removed on q direct cur
rent battery from Mechanic rains
and Days Corner.
The telephone service was also quite
seriously affected. Manager Aver of
the Lewiston office stated this morn
ing that between 800 and 500 telephones
we're out OF commission, considerably
more than was thought last night The
ca bles on Minot avenue and Webster
street are out of commission. The dam
age was caused almost entirely Ivy
lightning 1t will take several days 10
repair the lines, and a large crew from
the Office has been working steadily
since last night to set them i'll Comm's-
sion.
In spite of the heaviness OF the rain
there were few washouts on the roads,
il is stated at the Public Works office.
A few have been reported down the IS
bon road. but none are serious. From
the L., A. & w. Office it was said that
there are surprisingly few washouts be-
tween this city and Watervilic OF Au-
81,
line
The evening newspaper last night Of
the news carrier had lot been drowned
on the way) was read by candle light in
many homes. ami while the rain swish
ed against the window panes, from time
to time the candles little radiance was
entirely dimmed as the roo IN was for
an instant suffesed with lightning
The lightning and the thunder were
unusual Not from any one portion
OF the sky did it seem to come, but
from everywhere. The entire sky
would glow for Il moment, light pull
sating from all sides, Then down
upon your very head the thunder
would tumble and pile, and then echo
and reverhrate in the distance.
Hendrick Hudson and his men We're
having a ROYAL game of ten pins,
The correct street attire this morn
ing. demonstrated by number OF the
younger generation, was slicker, SOU
weStcr. broad smile, and feet sans
anything. No one but the youngsters
had the courage cf their convictions
TO dress this way,-but they We're
nightly 10 he envied, as they
strayed 10 paddle in the swirl;ng
rivers that transformed the cutters.
Sailing boats down the rails Of the
car tracks was another Juvenile
sport, interrupted at times 10 let the
cars pass, but good fun lust the same
for tho water ran swift, and the
ciang Of the coming car, like a
monster super dreadnaught, only
added a spice Of adventure to the
sd ilors Of the tiny crafts.
The storm rcsemblcd nothing SO
much us a September line storm in
its heavy persistence and its pene-
trating drive.