Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1912 — Lightning Struck Young Man. [ARTICLE]

Lightning Struck Young Man.

Jacob Groffart, aged 26, was struck by lightning during the electrical storm Tuesday afternoon and lives to tell about his miraculous escape and thrilling experience. He and Will Flick were working in a held on the Philip Gutwein farm near the Jasper county line road opposite the Guingrich place when the storm approached. They started for the house and had only gone a short distance when a bolt hit the telephone line -near them, shattering two poles and at the same instant struck Groffart. He fell unconscious upon the ground and Flick, who was partially stunned, thought the lightning had done its deadly work, so he hustled to the house for assistance. Later when they returned Groffart showed signs of life, Dr. F. L. Sharrer was called there, and after working with him awhile he was restored to consciousness but suffered intensely from the effects of the shock. An examination showed that the lightning had struck his watch, stopping it at 4:23 and melted his chain. There were no marks on the body. Groffart and Flick recently came from Cuicago.—Francesville Tribune.