Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1909 — WEATHER ADDS 200 TO NEW YORK DEATH LIST [ARTICLE]

WEATHER ADDS 200 TO NEW YORK DEATH LIST

Fatality From Water Poured Near Lightning Charged Pole, New York, June 29—A downpour with an electrical display lasting flf teen minutes was responsible for the death of one man and the injury of several persons As 5,00 b fans rushed for shelter at the Polo Grounds a blinding flash struck the flagpole in centerfield, smashing the upper portion of the staff into splinters and tearing down the pennant flag which the Giants won in 1905. John Freeman tried to put out h fire which had been s’arted by lightning in a pile of rubbish around an iron telephone pole. Freeman threw a pail of water on the fire and fell

back dead, killed by the electricity which traveled back to him on the water from the pple. Summing up the results of the heat wave which has held New York in its grip for a week or more. Health Commissioner Darlington In his weekly mortality report noted an increase of nearly 200 deaths over the figures for the corresponding period last year.