The New England Hurricane and Flood of Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1938 had less water damage than the floods of 1927 and 1936, but much wind damage. Sadly, one of the four deaths in Windham County was a summer resident in Westminster West, killed by a falling tree.
It was some good luck for Putney youngsters that all the roads through Westminster were impassable. The Phoenix’s Putney column on Sept. 30 reported, “A truck carrying Fro-joy ice cream stopped here last week and when the driver learned that road conditions would prevent his reaching his destination, he took his load to the school and treated the children.”
From the Vermont Phoenix, Sept. 23, 1938, page 1:
Barns, Silos Down in Westminster
Flood Danger Diminishes; Fenn Brothers Lose Several Pigs
Alarm over flood conditions here that was felt up to the mid-forenoon today diminished with the report that the Connecticut river was slowly subsiding. Farmers who remembered the heavy toll of damage exacted by the ’36 flood found something to be thankful for. Their losses were primarily caused by the furious wind that lashed buildings and trees, destroying barns and silos. At its peak the water went over the road on the upper street from Westminster Station. There was no electric power in town.
W. H. Bent, a heavy loser in the ’36 flood, saved 300 pullets and 200 roosters as flood waters reached his property. Six large brooder houses, unoccupied, were afloat. Mr. Bent moved his cattle at an early hour, as did others, when water reached his stable. Half of the roof on a barn at Selectman W. H. Powers’ place was whisked away in the storm. Lynn Fullam’s tobacco barn was blown down and two large silos were flattened at the Fen Brothers’ farm. The Fenns lost a large number of their pigs.
Buxton’s store at Westminster Station was badly damaged when a large tree uprooted and crashed on the building. The proprietor, pinned in the wreckage at the rear of the store, escaped unaided and unscathed. Skinner’s garage was damaged to a lesser degree by a falling tree.
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Page 8:
BELLOWS FALLS HAS STORM DEATH
Westminster West Summer Resident Killed by Falling [tree]
Village Shambles; Power Lines Down
A casualty in this locality resulting from the storm was learned here this morning with the death in Rockingham hospital of Leonard W. Whitbeck, 53, of 94 Moffat road, Waban, Mass. and Westminster West, who succumbed to injuries suffered yesterday when he was hit by a falling tree. His death resulted from a broken back and fractured skull.
The summer resident of Westminster West suffered his injuries when he was attempting to reach his Westminster West home late yesterday. Leaving his automobile to remove obstructions in the highway, Whitbeck was struck by a falling tree. Found by residents of Westminster West, he was rushed to Rockingham hospital.
Mr. Whitbeck had left his summer home yesterday to drive to Boston. Forced back at Keene by impassable highways, he had nearly reached his home when disaster overtook him.
Mr. Whitbeck leaves a wife and daughter.
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Road conditions were bad. Travelers attempting to go south found the Westminster road completely flooded. The so-called Swift cabins were completely inundated.
The Connecticut river continued to rise this forenoon, but power officials said at 11:30 a. m. that the peak had been reached. They stated the high water had reached within nine feet of the 1936 mark. ….
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Sept. 30, 1936
Westminster West column
Storm Damage Is Less Here.
The hurricane of Wednesday night, Sept. 21, caused much anxiety for about four hours and this place suffered considerable damage, principally in the loss of wood lots, maple orchards being nearly wiped out for some. Others suffered less serious damage.
W. F. Buxton had the entire roof taken from one side of his barn and several sheds lost their roofing. A number had cornfields flattened.
The village street lost several of its prize shade trees. At A. C. Barnes’ the trees in the yard blew down, one smashing the piazza roof and cutting off the water supply. The houses generally were not seriously damaged although some roofing is minus and also window lights.
In R. H. Ranney’s orchard, apples were nearly all blown off. Still all feel fortunate knowing of the heavier losses elsewhere.
Death of L. W. Whitbeck.
The untimely death of Leonard Whitbeck of Waban, Mass., a summer resident here who lost his life while returning from Westminster when struck by a falling tree during the hurricane, was a shock to all. Much sympathy is expressed to Mrs. Whitbeck and daughter, Susan, who survive. All will miss the neighborly calls and friendly spirit he radiated.