Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1907 — HORSES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING [ARTICLE]

HORSES STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

During the thunder storm about last, Wednesday merning, lightning struck a large tree in the barn yard at the old B>rn t'ager place about two miles south of tiwn, now occupied by George Borntrager. Opp Wolf, employed as buyer and slaughterer for J. J. Eigelsbach’B meat market had just driven up to look at some calves. He tied his horses to the rear end o°a farm wagon standing partly under the tree, and himself took refuge under the eaves of the barn. He had been there bat a very few m'nutes when the stroke came, and it followed down the tree to a large bend and then left the tree and struck the horses. They both fell and both were thought killed, but in a few minutes one of them showed signs of life, but the other never moved. They were good horses and for the one killed Mr. Eigelabach had just refused an offer of sls<Jl_ The horse that was not killed is badly shocked and may n wer be of aqy use agaiu. The horses are partly insured. A much valued farm dog belongijg to Mr. Borntrager was under the wagon to which the horses were hitched, and was also killed. The tongue of this same wagOD was ■ Hit to pieces while the wagon the horses were drawing was not damaged. Mr. Wolf thinks he got a pretty severe jolt from the lightning. Mr. Birntrager was in the barn at the fc me with a little son, but neither were hurt.