Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-05-31
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PETERSBURG, Va. May &c.
U0aderGd Escape.-On Monday evening
nast week a severe thunder storm passed over
this town, without, however, causing any serious
injury, although, in one instance, several indl-
viduals escaped miraculously from its effects, as
will be seen by the following statement, which
we have gathered from a gentleman who was
present Immediately after the scene occurred.
On the evening alluded to. a Mr.. Major, who
had lust returned from the Western country,
after a long absence, was detailing to his brother
(Mr. Francis Major who resides near Poplar
Spring, ONE particulars of his journey, apparent
ly unconscious of the storm that ragged without.
The two brothers were seated very near each
other, Mr.. F. Major occupying the chair nearest
the window. For some purpose or other, he sud-
denly sprang from his seat, when instantly a WV
id flash of lightning entered the room by the win
dow at which they had been seated, and fall
ing upon the head of his brother, it felled him to
the floor, in a state of utter insensibility. Mr.F.
Major was also shocked, but not seriously. None
of the other inmates of the house, as we learn,
were at all injured. An alarm was Immediately
given, and when our informant entered the house,
the room in which the party had been seated, was
filled with smoke, strongly impresnated with sui
phur.-MI. F. Major was running wildly about,
so much stunned as to be partially d%eliriOus.
while his brother was Frustrated on the floor, and
to all appearance lifeless, the blood oozing from
his head, which was afterwards ascertained to is
sue from a wound produced by the fall. Cold
water and powerful stimulants being freely APP
piled, Mr.. Major, in a few minues, manifested
signs of returning life, and after a short time he
was sufficiently recovered to set up.
Mr.. Major was then examined, when it was
ascertained, that the fluid, after it had struck
his head, and literally shaved it, passed down to
his neck, which, being enveloped with a silk neck
cloth, escaped unhurt. The fluid having been
turned from its course by the neckcloth, next
struck the body on the right side, a few inches
below the throat, and proceeded d~ownwards,
until it was again intercepted by a silk bandage
with which his body was beIted, and in which he
carried his money. Thus interrupted in its pro-
gress, the fluid again bounded off, and then at
tackled the right thigh and passed off at the foot,
havingin its progress partly melted his watcEGhain
The House was not materially injured, some
of the plasterins only having been knocked down
We consider this a wonderful escspe; and we
have very little doubt but that Mr.. Major yves
his life to the circumstance of his neck and body
being enveloped in silk, and to the immediate
application of cold water and the stimulants-a
remedy which is strongly recommended in all sim
liar cases, it having been hitherto used with great
success.-OM Dominion.
~9a9ee5a~
We are glad to perceive by the New York pa
pers that the Carvils of that city are about to pub
lish "Ledyard, or the Minutemen;" a poem in
three cantos, by Fitz Green Hallock, Esq. We
have ever esteemed this gentleman as one of the
first among American bards. His "Marco Boz
zaris, " ''Ainwick Castle" and "Fanny," have
given him no mean reputation, and his productions
instead of being of a Puerile and fancifuI cast,