The New York herald., 1845-09-28
Disastrous Effect Of Neutrality-suspicious.
Institute.

thunder guet, on the S0th utmO, In the vicinity
Of this city; with drawing.
I have the honor to be, sir,
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. GOLDsBoRoUGH BRUFF
To FRANCIS MAnkoE, Jr., Esq,
Corresponding Secretary, II.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 9Th, ls45.
The following account and observations, accom-
panied by drawing, have made from an exami-
nation OF the premises few days after the occur
renee, representing the melancholy effects Of light
nlng, and the imprudence of the unfortunate per-
sons In placing themselves, during thunder gust,
directly under and near conducting and attracting
points =
The gust occurred on the 30th ultlmo the meteo-
rologlca observations, for part of the day. were as
follows :-At9A A M, the barometer stood at 29a l6,
the thermometer Gn the shade and open air) at S2o
wind SW, and brisk weather partially cloudy;
l2 M, barometer 29a l8, thermometer S60-wind
SW, moderate cloudy. 8 P. M, barometer go IL,
thermometer 86a-wind SW, and moderate, with
thunder. lightning, and indications of About
S0P Ma strong breeze, with thunder, light-
ming and rala. The cloud from whence the light
ming chiefly emanated, seemed very low, and Of
that peculiar hue indicative OF much electricity it
was long and narrow, ranging In SW and NE dl.
rection, over the northwestern portion of the city.
AT about T. M, several vivid flashes were quickly
succeeded by sharp peals OF thunder-one of these
flashes slightly injured the top of BRICK house in
the city. The house was provided with an electri-
cal conductor
The premises have represented IN the drawing,
and the subject OF this account situated about q
miles north OF the Presidents house. upon the de-
civity OF hill at the base Of which, from opposite
the east end OF the house, and about 200 yards from
It, runs brook, called "Piney Branch" which
meanders in southerly direction. The house
stands upon cleared and cultivated space, bounded
on the east and south by the aforesaid brook on
the SW, by the highest grounds in the vicinity
about 300 yards distant and from thence, round to
a hui htI h,41r~ r.
tall trees, principally oaksof about the same dis
tance from the house all other sides, by hills of
less height, and wales, all thicky wooded, but gen.
orally of smaller growth. The house is situated,
longltudinally east and west. On the small farm,
around the house, enc few scattered young fruit
trees, with none other near except the tall oak close
to the west end OF the dwelling serving, in this in
stance, as the conductor This tree appeared to be
about forty feet in height (the drawing represents
It's characer), distant from the house exactly four
feet and about three feet north of the centre of the
building 1t inclined over the house about five feet
There lay upon the ground, at the northwest cor
ner OF the house, (nearly under the oak) an iron
kettle, of about two feet diameter
In the kitchen room, (west end of the house)
against Its west end, stood the dnner-tabe covered
with knives, forks, &c, as left after dinner The
table was hall is length nearer the north than south
corner, and consequently, almost opposite the body
OF the tree Between the table and the north cor
ner at the height of four-and-a-half feet, hung a
bright hand saw, above which, and perpendcularly
with IT, was small oak stud, its foot mortced In
the upper log OF the wall, the other end supporting
the outer rafter. Nearly under the corresponding
stud OF the opposite side, was cast-iron coffee MILL
secured to the side OF small cupboard, about four
feet above the floor. On the ledge formed by the
upper surface OF the top log OF this end wall, and in
which the studs were stepped, there lay, over the
coffee mill, at the foot of the stud that side &c.
veral old knives, &c, and between the studs, over
the table, a broken gun lock-
chair at the Of the table, in front Of the saw,
and three feet from it, her husband, the proprietor
OF tho premises, sat also in chair, on the opposite
SIDE and recined his head back against the corner
and one foot from the wall He had been sleeping
in the chamber, at the opposite end of the house.
but, probably awakened by the thunder, had got I'D
and placed himself in the chair in the kitchen, as
just described, about ten minutes preceding the ia
tai stroke.
A very young boy was playing under the dinner
table, one older sat in the corner by cupboard and
south side, and one still older, was in the bed
chamber.
AT about 44 p M, the oak was struck by light
ming, the top; the fluid descended to about the
height OF the house. and branched-one portion pas
sed down the south side of the tree to within
abeut four feet OF the ground, where a small twig
seems to have again divided it, and the bark was
stripped off in two parallel stripes of about broad
other main branch and doubtless the largest, perfo-
rated the clapboard opposite the tree, at ten feet
above ground, (marked in the drawing), leaving
aburnt hole OF about one by two inches. It de-
ecended the stud % behind the lady, splitting
and spnteringt superfcialy; split the saw-handle.
where rlveted, killed Mrs. Boose and her infant,
and LETT minute scorched orifice in the fioor d-
rectly under her chair The stud on the opposite
side was completely bursted, and shredded to its
centre, except about two inches of the upper end.
The principal force of the fluid dseems TO have been
eyered at the lower end of this stud, where lay the
old knives. CThe drawing represents the appear
ance OF this stud-H) A splinter was thrown off
from the cupboard, where the mill was attached ,and
Mr. Boose directly under iD killed.
tnran k.xx,a sla
injured but account of the rain, and terror they
did not venture out till hour after the calami
tous visitation. They then alarmed an uncle, llv-
ing about half mile to the north of them Ga brother
OF the unfortunate lady, and the gentleman to whom
! am indebted for these particularly Ga entering
the house he found il filed with the fumes Of
burning horn, from his sisters comb. Mrs. Boose
sat in the chair with her head reclining back: no
mark was found upon her. The infant girl lay upon
the floor near her mother, and had several dark
stripes down her face. The father lay on the oppo-
site side, with his head close the foot of the cup
board in front, and his feet extended on the floor
The top OF his head was marked by scorched and
bare circular spot, about the size of half dollar
Their countenances were natural and SERENE par
ticuary that OF the ady,on whose lips smile SEEM
ed TO play.
Mr.. B was 40 and his wife as years of age. They
were very industrious and religious people, and left
large number OF friends and acquaintances to de.
plore their loss.
There were three older boys away from home At
the time OF the catastrophe.
was informed that several trees on the hills 10
the north Of the premises struck from the same
cloud. J. G. b.
The EXTENT or THc EQUINOX The Equinox has
passsd over without doing any injury, and was cha
racsrised only by superabundance Of rain. Border
ing the lower lake its effects have been sensiby
felt The northern portion of Niagara county vis
tod by violent gale accompanied with hail gentle
man who was Lake Ontario at the me says that the
gale was very severe and the terrific The first
appearance OF the storm indicated by black Clouds
thunder ana Lighting and the appearance at distance of
about nall mile OF four water spouts. The gale
rsmendous accompanied by hail Of an enormous size
The windows OF the steamer Express were all dashed in
and the scene on board Of great
AT Toronto the rain fell in