One of the severest electrical storms of the season passed over Lewiston last night and while few reports of damage done had been received at an early hour this morning, lightning struck in several places with more or less disastrous results.

One bolt struck one of the linotype machines in The Sun’s composing room causing consternation among the employes. However the machine was not seriously damaged, and was soon restored to working order.

Much damage was done to the electric light and telephone wires. A large number of the New England Telephone Company’s wires were put out of working order, fuses were burned out and lights shut off in various parts of the city.

The electrical display was followed by a heavy rain fall which will largely relieve the distressing conditions threatened by a continued drought.

After midnight the street lights were out and the streets and sidewalks were flooded.

50 Years Ago, 1956

BOSTON – Eight middle aged men, their faces betraying no emotion, were sentenced to life in prison today for the nation’s largest cash robbery – the $1,219,000 Brink’s looting of nearly seven years ago.

Still missing was most of the loot. Only about $90,000 was recovered from the Jan. 17, 1950 robber.

25 Years Ago, 1981

•We join in congratulating the Dominican Fathers on the 100th anniversary of their coming to Lewiston. The Roman Catholic community, the Twin Cities and the state have benefited from the century of service which this religious order has provided.

•The famed Maine lobster is being snubbed by the British government, which claims Yankee crustaceans carry the “red tail” disease that may infect its native stock. Parliament enacted a rule last August which bans live North American lobsters from British land and tidal waters. But American lobstermen and marine scientists say they think the British are using the disease as an excuse to protect their own fishermen from cheaper North American imports.