It should come as no surprise that lightning and high winds caused damage to trees and building 100 years ago as they do today.
If you wish to avoid the sadder news of the past, skip the third article today.
From the Arizona Daily Star, Wednesday, August 9, 1916:
SLIGHT DAMAGE IS DONE BY WINDSTORM
Chinese Store Struck by Lightning; Many Trees Uprooted
Minor damage was done by a severe windstorm, accompanied by rain, which passed through the central part of the city yesterday afternoon about 3:45 o’clock. The wind was accompanied by heavy thunder and lightning and it was followed by a drenching rain.
The store of Lee King and Company, at the corner of Congress and Meyer street, was struck by lightning and the roof badly torn up, the damage being estimated at several hundred dollars. Here the trolley wires were cut down by the bolt of lightning, but were quickly repaired.
A stand of billboards of the Clingan Billposting service on North Sixth Ave., between Pennington and Congress, was blown to the ground during the storm.
Numerous awning were wrecked, among the number being the awning of the Vogue Millinery store on East Congress, and the awning of the Franklin and Heighton Real Estate agency on West Congress.
A window in the Women’s Exchange was broken, but the damage to windows was not as heavy as might have been expected from the violence of the storm.
A large umbrella tree in the yard of Sheriff Forbes on East Pennington street was completely uprooted, falling over the fence so that the upper part projected into the street. A tree at the corner of Church and Pennington was also wrecked. Branches and foliage were torn from numerous trees in other parts of the city.
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A bicycle officer attached to the police department appeared to have complaints against him, because his contract was given to another officer when it lapsed.
Bicycle Cop Fails to Get Reappointment
Charges Made Against Sullivan but Accusation Not Made Public
Bicycle Officer T. S. Sullivan was not re-appointed to the police force at the meeting Monday evening by Acting Mayor Bernard, and it was stated yesterday that the failure to name Sullivan is the result of charges against him.
The nature of the charges have not yet been made public, and Sullivan stated yesterday evening that he proposed to fight the matter before the police committee and vindicate himself of whatever the charges were.
The effect of the failure to re-appoint Sullivan with charges against him is equivalent to a suspension. Henry Beltran has been named to fill his place, and yesterday evening was on patrol duty.
A young man missing in the desert was found alive, but died shortly after.
Succor Reaches Youth Too Late to Save Life
Ago Boy, Lost on Desert, Found but Death Claims Handicap
A small excavation made in the ground near a clump of grass which he had made in his last frantic search for water, was the clue that led searchers yesterday afternoon to the finding of Frank Sprague, who was lost on the desert Sunday afternoon four miles from Ajo.
Sprague died yesterday evening several hours after being located, according to news received by Sheriff Forbes.
Sprague and a companion Comstock, started from Copper Hill, eighteen miles from Ajo, to go to the latter place Sunday to play ball. They had a leaky canteen with a half gallon of water. Four miles from Ajo their water gave out and Comstock told Sprague that he would go to the top of a hill and try and locate a ranch. He found the Childs ranch, but when he returned with water Sprague could not be found. Comstock went on to Ajo and a band of searchers was formed who searched that evening and Monday without success.
Yesterday a posse of more than a hundred, chiefly national guardsmen, was formed and continued the search until the clue was found. The discovery of Sprague followed later in the afternoon, but all efforts to save his life were in vain.
He was a young man, strong and healthy, and was a miner. His parents are said to reside in Philadelphia.
