The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-26
TERRIBLE DISASTER.



Congregational Church I'm Lockport Struck
by Lighs ning-One Person Killed and sia
Others Seriously Injured.
From the Loci port Courier, May %
We are called upon to record awful and solemn vsi
tation Of Providence that has thrown gloom
the services an init had
menced that house struck by gh thing causing the
death of Mr. Luther Croker Jr and injurng more or
years Of age, Of VIM Mack: Mary Place, daughter
Of George Place Frances Holmes, daughter OF Alfred
Holmes. and Miss Sarah Stewart.
The lightning struck the church steeple on the south
west corner passing dom into the gallery Occupied by
the singers which was directly under the steepe and all
the affected BY the shock members OF the
choir They were about concluding the introductory
hymn when TIE shock came, carrying DEATH and
dmsy into their midst The maie streak Of electricity
entered the gallery directly the head Of Mr. Crocker
who playing the bass vol aud dlverged of either
way iniuriDg the persons named above.
The first moment after the shock Of universal
alton aud dsmay Every person in the gallery,
numbering some twelve or @ sos one we're
aided by persons from below, immediately proceeded
the assistance Of the unfortunate Some OF the injured
had their and bodies burned making them
present horrible picture, They we're all removed TO the
open air and the proper remedies we're applied under the
direction of rs. Fasset and Gouldwho providentay,
the church the time, which were successful in
restoring consciousness all except Mr.. Crocker The
deceased all outward appearances sustained the least
injury Of any of the sufferers but he doubtless visit
ed with the heaviest shock Tue lightning to have
passed along the outside Of his vest down to the right
thigh then across down his left Leg ripping open his
shock Mr.. Elias Clark standing bet him and
the latter up when the deceased said to him. Help me;
am hurt the worst!n Mr.. Crocker was Immediately
taken out but he only gasped twice and expired
His BODY was then taken to the Office Of Dr. Fasset and
every means which medical cen could suggest wasused
in vain to restore him to consciousness.
The lad, William Mack is ably the most injured of
the survivors, The electricity appeared to have struck
him the head Of the spine. passing down his body
tearing his clio tbes and boots. He insensible for
ont Of he chu Ey;u
seemed much affected besides being badly burned
He doing well late last evening.
Mr.. DuIfee was badly burned on his chest and limbs
the having passed his breast and down
his legs. He able to be removed home, however,
and 1t is thought he will soon recover.
MI. Cyrus Northam badly shocked, and q little
burned on the face and hands. The lightning passed
down one side Of his face and of his hands apparently
lie was restored to consciousness after little effort and
carried to house near by, and is doing well.
Mis- Mary Place the most injured Of the lady suf
ferers having her face and feet badly burned On coming
TO she suffered much from the pain but is hoped she
is not SO much injured but that she will speedily fnd
relief.
Miss Holmes burned the face and breast BY the
lightning but not seriously Her escape with little
injury, however, seems miraculous. The electricity
passed her bonnet melting the wires and tearing the
silk also around the wire in the cape of the bonnet
melting that In one or two places The shawl she had on
also torn In eral places
Miss Stewart understand, but slightly injured
and soon recovered from all effects Of the shock she
received.
The scene within the church Immediately after the
shock, is represented by eye witness to have been
awful in the extreme. The pastor, Rev. Mr. Gilman,
whose position in the pulpit such to enable him to
at glance the terrible effect the lightning tainted
away as did several of the ladies' and ghasty psleness
M y that 80
them Of giving vent to their feelings In the
ally exhibited similar but less appalling occasions. Not
ones made BY Of the Victims hustle confusion
ensued but dread CONSERVATION seemed to have taken
possession of all for the moment.
As the bodies removed out in front Of the church.
crowd gathered and the dread intelligence spread
hundreds came to offer their sympathy There has
been occurrence in midst which has seemed to
spread such universal gloom and sadness. Groups Of
persons discussing the sorrowful affair every
few rods in the principal Streets and the church
rounded by large concourse Of people until late hour
last night To add to the general detection nature her
self wore the most sombre aspect. the heavens wers
overspread with dark and drear clouds and the rain fell
profusely the greater part of the afternoon.
The lightning seen to strike the church BY several
effects piece Of the corncs Of the steepe was thrown
the road on the east of the church. and several
long from the wood work II the middle
gone In and out Of the building several times before
reaching the ground and it appears to have finally
porco and the other BY passing from the gallery the
The course of the electricity in the house was very sin
guar 1t appears to have gone from object to object in
unusual manner and some persons think it to have
divided into numerous parts but hi: is al conjecture
damage done to the walls or timbers Of the church.
Mr.. Crocker's body was more marked than We Hrst
his body down bis left leg leaving unmistakeabls
races of its course The wife and child of Mr..
in the body Of the church at the time Of the .ccdsnt
The wife she tainted away The little child, who was
frightened at the appearance of her mother and not
her father to and help her mother who said
was sick The scene was truly affecting and caused tears
CrocIer ~ss The ;unor psrnsr in the
Fagler Co and was an upright citizen, and con-
'stent professor Of religion He Of the leading
death will be loss to that society," and
'cavesly less one TO the community At large He
Ind attached friends to mourn HIS death.
Miss Stewart injured but slightly she being able to
cave the church in few moments without any assist
ance She dressed in silk. which doubtless the
Of her escape as the electricity passed over her
lress.
The lightning entered the gallery in two places, being
brought in by the wires Of two lamps One Of the bolts
struck with full force probably Mr. c., while the other
pread in directions being les: fatal in lis effects
gentleman who was in the body OF the church, look
ng up to The gallery ct the moment the shock came,
ays that it seemed ball of fire came into the gal
pg A moment, sufficient for glance. transpred ere
he shock came, and nothing stirred till the crash re-
echoed from floor to dome then the oesppsnts OF tns
,ther person says that the shock appeared TO him Like
he report of large cannon, and he supposed from the
the gallery imagined the thing, an infer
that the falling plaster and shivered boards strongly
confirmed.
Dr. W.ner Of the First Presbyt Church, pre-
ent and had It not been for fortuous circumstances
would probably have been injured Holding no service in
he afternoon his church, he is in the habit of at
lending service at the Congregational Church st that
hour and he usually occupied seat directly under the
gallery where the pastering broke away BY the light
hing, but being accompanied this occasion BY friends
rom abroad he fortunately took seat further forward
The injured persons doing WELL and all are consi-
iered Of danger The only effects remaining OF the
lightning their person is that caused BY the burns,
which are very painful
There we're six persons in the gallery who were
prosrated by the shock There were many other in
cdens connected with this sad casualty but the above
Is much . find time to record
ANOTHER MURDER IN New ORLEANs.-JEA-
LOUSY THE CAUsE-On Friday evening last between six
and seven clock Michael Clancy and John Bowes, both
walters ut that time in the Crescent City HOTEL we're
SEEN company with other person. to enter the old
yard which enters from Tchoupitouas street. near the
st. Mary's Market The gentleman who saw them enter
describes them a. having seated themselves In
apparent peaceable csnversation, when Clancy drew
q pifto and deliberately placing it against Bswles
side and fred. The fell to the ground mortally
wounded. and the murderer and his accomplish capped
Clancy, 1t 10 said a married man. and treated his
wife badly Bowles befricndsd the woman, and upon
several occasions had known to advance her money
AZ. snntn, aud ho ootat NO,f