The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-06-08
Affecting Calamitv,

The Lockport IN. W Courier furnishes
the particulars ofthe terrible disaster (men-
toned under our Geographic head in last
weeks paper,) which took place in that
village or Sunday afternoon. We extract
some ofthe details as follows
We are called upon to record an awful
and solemn visitation Of Providence-one
that has thrown a gloom over the entire
community-yesterday afternoon, just af.
ter the services at the Congregational
Church had commenced, causing the death
of Mr.. Luther Croker. jr., and ~injuring
more or less Samuel Durfee, Cyrus G.
Northam, a lad of about ID years of age,
son of William Mack, Mary Place, daugh-
ter Of George Place, Frances Holmes,
daughter of Alfred Holmes, and Miss Sa.
rah Stewart.
The lightning struck the church steeple
on the southwest corner, passing down in.
to the gallery occupied by the singers,
which was directly under the steeple, and
all the persons affected by the shock were
members of the choir. They were about
concluding the Introductory hymn when
the shock came, carrying death, sorrow
and DISNEY into their midst. The main
shock of electricity entered the gallery d.
rectly over the head of Mr.. Croker, who
was playing the base viol. and diverged
off either way injuring the persons named
above.
The first movement after the shock was
one OF universal CONSERVATION and dismay.
Every person in the gallery, numbering
eo-oo tvn1yo ar HGaan avoonf IN nr fuS,
were Frustrated by the shock, but those
that escaped injury. aided by persons
from below, Immediately proceeded to the
assistance Of the unfortunate. Some of
the injured persons had their faces and
bodies burnt, making them present a horri-
BILE picture. They were all removed as
quick as possible to the open air, and the
proper remedies were applied, under the
direction Of Drs. Fassett and Gould-who,
provid entially, were in the church at the
time-which were successful in restoring
to consciousness all except Mr.. Croker.
The deceased. to all outward appearances,
sustained the least injury of any of the
sufferers, but he was doubtless visited with
the heaviest shock.
The scene within the church immediate
ny dlteT Tue SHOCK Is TePreSehteu ny I'LL
eyewitness to have heen awful in the ex-
treme. The pastor, Rev. Mr.. Gilman.
whose position in the pulpit was such as
to enable him to see at a glance the terri
BILE effect Of the lightning, tainted away.
as did several Of the ladies, and ghast-
ly p~aleness overspread every cou%ntenance
The shock was so terrific, and its effects
so astounding. that it seemed to deprive all
Of the power of giving vent to their feelings
in the manner usually exhibited on similar
but less appalling occasions. Not a Shrek
or a groan was heard, save the almost in
audible ones made by some OF the victims
no hustle or confusion ensued, but dreat
CONSERVATION seemed to have taken pos
session OF all for the moment. As the bod
. les were removed out in frontofthe church
a crowd gathered. and as the dread intel
ligence spread, hundreds came to offe'
their sympathy. There has never beer
an occurrence in our midst which Ina!
seemed to spread such universal gloom ant
sadness.