Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 106, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 September 1899 — How Thomas And Simpson were Killed. [ARTICLE]

How Thomas And Simpson were Killed.

The Michigan City News gives full particulars of the death by lightning cf Benjaimun Thomas and Frank Simpson, some facts but no reliable details of which had been received here. Ben Thomas formerly lived near Julian but was at one time in the butohdr business in Rensselaer with his brother Morris Thomas. He had managed the big Rufe Jacobs farm, in [La Porte county, near Wanatah. Simpson, who also lived near Julian, was working for him. On Thursday Sept. 7th Thomas and Simpson took refuge in a barn during a heavy thunder storm. With them were Wm. Miller of Michigan City and Wm. Richmond, o f Wanatah, who chanced to stop for shelter. Lightning struck the barn and both Thomas and Simpson ‘ were instantly killed. The other men were somewhat shocked but not seriously hurt. The men who were killed were each about 40 years old and leave families. Mr Thomas has quite a number of relatives living in Rensselaer.