The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-08-24 00:00:00

A GIRL KILLED BY LIGHTNING IN
A SUNDAY-SCHOOL.

During a thunderstorm at Philadelphia on the 4th
inst., the lightning struck a large tent used for a
Sunday-school and religious services in connection
with the Ridge-avenue Methodist Episcopal congre-
gation, at Ridge-avenue and Diamond-street, and
killed one child and injured three others. A. despatch
in the New York Times says :
"As the time drew near for the opening of the
Sunday-school, the children assembled. The rain be-
gan to fall, and Mr. Charles H. Wilson took the
scholars into the tent. There were about fifteen per-
sons in the place, scattered round in different sections
of the enclosure. Two boys, William Adams and
Walter Elfrey, occupied seats on a bench near one
of the poles supporting the canvas. Mr. Wilson sat near
the door, while two little girls, Ellie Burns and Mary
Elfrey, were in front of him. When the rain began
to descend heavily one of the children turned to Mr.
Wilson and remarked, 'The rain is coming in.' He
replied, 'Well, it will be over in a little while.' Then
there was a sharp flash of lightning, followed by aloud
peal of thunder. The electric current struck the pole
near where the boys were sitting, passed down, and
struck Walter Elfrey, throwing him to the ground.
Young Adams was stunned and fell on top of him.
Mr. Wilson was rendered insensible. The lightning
then struck Ellie Buries and Mary Elfrey, prostrating
both. In its passage down the pole, which was
shattered, it exploded three coal-oil lamps which
were suspended from it. The oil ignited and set
fire to some hay which was spread on the
ground floor, and the flames communicated to the
wooden Beatings. In a few minutes the whole
place was in flames. The children who escaped
the lightning immediately gave the alarm, and assist-
ance arrived in time to prevent the unconscious
persons from being burned to death. Mr. Wilson first
returned to consciousness and procured water, with
which the flames were extinguished. It was then
found that Mary Elfrey had been killed instantly.
Ellie Burns was severely burned in the right side,
there being a zigzag streak from her feet to her neck.
She wore slippers, and the right one was torn almost
to,shreds. This child is in a very precarious condition,
and is not expected to live. Walter Elfrey suffered a
complete prostration of his nervous system, and is not
expected to recover. Should the reverse prove the
case, it is believed he will be a paralytic. The effect
on Willie Adams was peculiar. While not injured on
the body, his hearing, which was excellent previously.
is seriously impaired, and it is with difficulty thathe can
be made to hear words addressed to him. Mr. Wilson
was prostrated, the shock to his nerves being very
severe. Hector Connor, another trustee of the church,
was also injured. The children all resided in Edgeley-
street, near the church. The congregation were to
have voted in the afternoon upon the question as to
whether they would renounce the Methodist and turn
their church over to the Reformed Episcopalian
denomination. Since this occurrence and its fatal
results, the members fear to go away from their first
love, and are rather superstitious concerning the
occurrence."