Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1906 — DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING. [ARTICLE]

DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING.

Two Barns and One Church Burned . and Much Other Damage Done. -\ATrother severe electric storm came last Friday night or about 1:30 o’clock Saturday morning, accompanied by considerable fall of rain. There was a great deal of lightning and considerable damage was done in different parts of the county while in Rensselaer the bam of Ancel Wood worth, on River street, was struck and totally consumed before the fire company could get there to put out the fire. Some five tons of hay, 100 bushels of oats, two tons of straw, farm tools, harness, etc., were consumed, but the horses and carriages were saved. The pulleys, ropes, blocks, etc., used by Mr. Woodworth in safe moving were also burned. The barn was a good one and probably worth S4OO or more, it was insured for S3OO, and there was SIOO on contents. The barn on A. F. Shesler’s farm near Pleasant Ridge was also struck by lightning and consumed, together with some five or six tons of hay. The barn was worth perhaps SSOO and was insured for $350, but there was no insurance on contents. A new barn on the McCord farm, southeast of town, was struck and the gable end torn out, but the building was not burned. A barn in the same locality on the George Barrett farm, occupied by Daniel Williams, was struck and the roof and rafters torn up somewhat. Over in Jordan tp., one of L. H. Myers’ farmhouses was struck and the chimney torn up badly. This farm was occupied by Wesley Williams, son Daniel Williams, who occupies the Barrett farm. The bolt passed down through the house and quite severely stunned a two-year-old baby At Tefft, up in Kankakee tp., the Methodist church was struck and totally destroyed by fire. The organ, we understand, was saved, but the total loss was in the neighborhood of SBOO to S9OO, ,with $550 insurance.