Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1895 — LIGHTNING’S WORK. [ARTICLE]

LIGHTNING’S WORK.

Loss of Life and Destruction of Property in the United States in 1894. In January no liyes were lost so far as known. In February 2 lives were lost, 2 persons injured and 50,000 feet of lumber destroyed. In March G lives were lost, 3 persons injured, and 2 barns, 2 churches and 5 dwelling houses struck and damaged. In April 14 lives were lost, 15 persons injured, 1 barn and 7 dwelling houses damaged. In May 55 persons were killed by lightning and 34 severly injured ; 12 houses were set on fire with a loss of not less than $35,000; 30 dwellings, 4 churches. 2 school houses struck, and more or less damaged; 58 horses and 22 cows not in stables were killed. In June 96 persons were killed and 102 severely injured ; 69 barns were damaged not less than $49,000; 49 houses. 30 cows, and 15 sheep not stabled were killed; 80 dwellings, 22 churches, railroad depot, 1 oil tank, 1 grain elevator, 6 mills and factories were damaged, the loss in the eight last named being not less than $257,000. In July 60 lives were lost, and 103 persons injured; 46 barns were damaged not less than $50,000; 45 dwellings, 12 churches, 2 academies, 3 mills or factories, and 2 railroad depots were struck ; 24 horses and 13 cows, 5 mules, and 6 sheep, not stabled, were killed. In August 78 lives were lost and 76 persons iujured; 81 barns were burned with a loss of not less than $129,800 ; 41 dwellings were struck, 22 horses and 15 cows, not stabled, were killed; 5 churches, 2 academies (one with loss of $38,000), 2 mills, and 1 oil tank (loss $20,000) were struck. In September 99 persons were killed and 14 severely injured; 53 barns were struck with loss of not. less than $141,500; 42 dwellings, 2 churches were struck, 14 horses, not stabled, were killed. In November 1 dwelling was struck, valued at $3,000. In December 1 barn in Ohio, 2 dwellings (one in San Francisco, Cal., where damage from lightning is almost unknown), were struck. During the year 336 persons were killed and 351 severely injured, 268 barns struck with a damage of $407,500; 55 churches were struck, damage unknown; 261 dwellings and several oil tanks, factories and .elevators, the damage amounting to not less than $351,000.