Hemingray factory damaged by high winds

FACTORY UNROOFED

BY THE HIGH WIND

Flint House of Hemingray's

Plant Suffered Heavy Damage

Yesterday.

WORKMEN FLED IN PANIC

Worst Storm in Years Past

Over City Doing Injury in

All Sections.

Muncie was visited by one of the most severe wind storms that has raged over this section in years yesterday afternoon, a number of buildings being unroofed and many lives endangered. Probably the most serious damage was done to the flint house of Hemingray's glass plant in Industry. The roof was lifted from the building and the hundreds of workmen were thrown into a panic. Fortunately no one was injured. Men and boys rushed from the factory, seeking shelter, believing that the entire building would be destoyed. It was necessary to close operations in the flint house yesterday afternoon and the shops were down last night. Repairs will be made immediately. The damage will amount to several hundred dollars.

The wind created havoc among smaller buildings in the up-town district and partially tore the roof from the Root building, in East Charles street. In the vicinity of the Big Four station several small warehouses suffered. The High Street Milling company was damaged considerably, the high stack on the boiler room being torn down.

CHIMNEYS BLOWN DOWN

The roof over a portion of the House saloon, in Kirby avenue, was loosened. A number of windows were blown in over the city, among them being a large plate glass on the fifth floor of the McNaughton building. A French glass in the home of T. C. Lacey, 309 Kirby avenue, was destroyed. In the vicinity several chimneys were blwon down.

The heavy wind, which lasted about thirty minutes, was accompanied by a driving rain. Although the weather had been threatening, the up-town streets were filled with people. When the gale had struck its gait, pedestrians hurried to shelter and some if the unfortunate ones were nearly swept from their feet. The force of the wind was felt more on corners, where there were tall buildings. At the corner of Jackson and Mulberry streets it was almost impossible for a person to make the crossing. Several women, who intended to go east on Jackson street were swept north on Mulberry and one elderly lady was compelled to hang to a telephone pole in order to keep on her feet.

STRUCK THE COURT HOUSE

One of the queerest tricks played by the wind yesterday was the blowing down of one of the ornamental pieces of stone from the top of the courthouse. The ornament weighed several pounds and was blown from the top of the building our over the walk and deposited in the yard. [incomplete]