The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-03-28
DAMAGE BY LIGHTNING.

Last Monday evening, March II, our vii
lage was visited with a severe thunder
shower. During which, the lightning struck
house occupied by Messrs. Maxfield and
NOVEL;; it catered the house at both ex.
tremlties, splitting beams, and tearing up
castings. &c, and renting the chimney. In
MIR. Maxfield's part Of the house the light.
ming entered between the roof and the
chimney, and descended to the cellar in
passing down it split beam one foot square
on which hung a cartridge box full of pow
der without setting it on fire. One branch
entered a small chamber, in which was a fe-
male who was holding light; this was
thrown out of her hands, and herself knock
ed down. In Mr.. Nowell's part the light
ming appears to have entered at the top of
the chimney and passed down to the FIRE
place where Mr.. NOVEL; and small boy
were sitting. Mr.. N. was smoking pipe
at the time, which was thrown to an oppo-
site part of the room, and vet he suffered no
injury. The boy did not escape without in
jury; the lightning seems to have struck
him on one of his legs, renting hole his
pantalooDs and burning his stockings as it
passed off. We visited the house shortly
after it was struck, and was surprised to see
the ravages the lightning had made and
yet without setting the house on fire. The
rent in the boys pantaloons was six inches
In length. His stocking was considerably
burnt, and by the sulphurous smell showed
plainly that it was the effects of the light
ming. How he ceuld escape without more
injury or being instantly killed, we are at
loss to conceive. The lightning struck the
house in seven different places and all at
the same moment. We have heard of MANY
remarkable escapes from lightning, but
never before knew or heard of an instance
like the above.-Dorer w H. Chronicle.
At Portsmouth, IN. H. last Monday mid
night, house was struck by lightning.
The fluid came down chimney, passed the
floor, tipped off the sole of one Of the shoes of
Miss Austin, whe was writing at the mo-
ment, and passed off without niurinc the
young lady, though the building was some
what injured. At the same time it struck
two-story dwelling house, occupied by Mr..
J. MoultoB, in the south part Of the town.
The family were all in bed; the lightning
entered chamber, where Mr.. NJ wife and
two children were sleeping, shivered the
door to atoms, and broke the timhers, win
dows, &C., in several parts of the house
Fortunately no one was injured.
Lightning. During the thunder shower on
Monday evening, 18th inst, the barr Of Mr.
Abel Gutter in Jaifrey, IN. II } was struck by
lightning and consumed, with number Of tons
OF hay and nearly thirty slieep--some others
were so badly burnt as to render them almost
worthless. Loss about $400-no insurance.
WARREN BRiDGF. In the debate on Mr..
Mann's order to inquire into the expedency
of authorizing the Executive to appoint suit
able persons to receive the tolls ON Warren
Bridge, when the same should he surrender
ed to the Commonwealth, Mr.. Lawrence of
Boston, remarked that he had information
from The clerk of the corporation which
might be deemed authentic, that 70 of the
500 per share, had been paid. The pro-
prietors we're TO receive the principal and
five per cent. interest; and according to
the safest calculation, S3I more would be
required TO pay the principal and interest.
They had never paid less than $40 per
quarter, except where the law expenses
were deducted. The next dividend would
lie made in April next, when it was expect
that 81 would be paid, upon each share,
which would make 900 Of the principal; SO
that in July the whole principal would he
paid, according TO the calculation, If the re-
ceipts should continue as they hive been
for many months past. Then there will lie
the time from July to January TO pay the
interest, which will he about $14, not to in
cluds any expenses Of litigation.
Bsnsn Csntina