Litchfield enquirer., 1844-07-18
Mr.. Fred. J. Cope.

AT meeting Of Union Riffemen held at their
Armory in Litch6eld on Wednesday the 10th day
of July 1914, it was unanimously
RESOLVED, That we have heard with deep regret
of the death Of EDWIN B. DEAaINc, late member
Of this company.
ResOkUed, That we recognize in him one that was
known only to be esteemed, and that we will ever
while one Of our number, and the deep interest he
always felt in Our welfare.
ResOlred, That as tribute of respect for the de-
ceased, we will wear the usual badge of mourning
for thirty days from this date, and the next COM
pany parade.
: Resolred, That we tender to the family of the
deceased our heartfelt sympathes in their deep af
aiction, and that copy of these resolutions be
signed by the Chat rman and Secretary Of this meet
ing and sent to them, and also published in the En-
~ " ~ J. G. PATTERSON, Chairman
PHILIP WELLS, Secretary.
The following letter, which we have requested
for publication, gives the particulars in relation to
the death of Mr.. Deming. 1t will be read with
interest by his numerous friends and associates in
Litchield:
QUINCY, June 90, 1874.
Dear Sir: 1t has become my painful duty to be
the bearer in this way of the mournfu intelligence
of the death of your son, Edwin s. Deming. He
died on Tuesday last (day before yesterday by
lightning. The particulars will give, which are
these About the middle of the afternoon there APP
peared the gathering of heavy storm at the west
north west and south west, and commenced raining
about o'clock, but subsidized partially after few
moments and for half an hour 30, when the storm
came on more violently increasing until about half
past six. About or little after, Edwin went in.
to the barn, where there six or eight others,
and whilst attending to some of the chores in the
stable the lightning struck the barn and run down
tearing off one end Immediately where Edwin was,
and killed him instantly. Nothing struck him but
the electricity, and no bruise upon his body, nor
marks, except his breast where it was burned just
as to produce little blister on the skin He was
standing entirely erect at the time of the shock,
and when he fell was lifeless corpse. Every eff
fort was Immediately made that could be to bring
him to, but life was extinct and the spirit was
gone. The flash at the time and report was one Of
the heaviest ever witnessed, indeed the most aw-
full. Two or three others in the barn were knock
ed down but not materially injured. He was buri-
ed on Wednesday afternoon. Sermon preached by
Rev. Mr.. Marks, Presbyterian minister, (the Con-
gregatonal minister was sick from the words "Be
We also ready" The funeral was attended by good
congregation, and the corpse followed to the grave
by our family and another with whom he had board
ed, together with some few intimate acquaintance
and many others who only knew him. We could
not but reluctantly conclude to bury him without
his brother being present; but found it imprac-
ticable to get word on account Of the exceeding
highness of the creeks before two or three days,
and it equally mpracticable to keep the corpse
longer than 81 hours. His watch, which was in
his pocket, was struck, case melted, and think
the fluid passed through it. 1t remains Just az it
was, telling the exact time of day when he died.
have thus. dear sill, been particular, and know
to you it will be heavy stroke; bat whilst you
and yours are thus suddenly called to mourn the
sudden and awful death OF your beloved son, you
will believe feel also to rejoice in the hand and
kss the rod that has brought upon You this severe
affection. Your son l have known since Decem-
Der or January last. He has for the most part Of
the time since then been in my employ. He had
been member of my family for two months or so.
He united with the Congregational church at our
last communion, six or seven weeks since. Since
he became member Of our family our attachments
had become strong. My little boy Of twelve years
feels the affection deeply. and we all feel that we
have lost a brother; and must say that IN my &C.
quaintance with young men have found none to
excel him, and few if any to equal him, in faithful
ness, integrity. and conscienciousness His chris
tian character shone where it ought, (but, alas,
where it is too seldom seen. in his every day walk,
his every day duties. But this not all: he was
deeply interested in our Sabbath School, and our
social and family prayers; and may this be the
comfort of his parents, his brothers, that he daily
remembered them at the throne Of grace. In our
family prayers, in which he almost always took an
active part-none of his friends were forgotten. /
believe he was growing Christian. and for the
last three days Of his life this growth appeared to
increase. But he has gone-awfully affective. aw-
fully solemn as it is, It is true; and my prayer L.,
that when this intelligence reaches the ears Of ms
friends, his prayer for the blessing Of Heaven upon
them may be answered. and also that to us who feel
his loss and have seen the hand Of God displayed
in its awful power the Providence may be blessed,
and serve to make US all more active in laying up
treasure in heaven. That this dispensafion Of
Gods Providence may be blessed to yourself and
family is the prayer Of your unworthy servant,
E. B. KIMBALL.