Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-06-04
A Church Struck by Lightning.

The Lockport, N. Y. Courier Of
Monday has the following account Of
the affecting calamity which occurred
there on the previous day:
Yesterday afternoon, just after scr
vice at tho Congregational Church
had commenced, the Church was
struck by lightning, causing the death
Of Mr.. Luther Crocler, Jr., and in
iuring more oil less Samuel Duffee ;
Cyrus c. Northam; lad about II
years Of ago, son Of VIM. Mack; Ma
ry Place, daughter Of George Place ;
Francis Holmes. daughter Of Alfred
Holmes; and Miss Sarah Stewart.
The lightning struck tho Church
stecplc on the Southwest corner, pas
sing down into the gallery occupied
by tho singers, which was directly un-
der the stceplc, and all the persons
affected by the shock were members
of the choir. They were about con.
cIuding the Introductory hymn when
the shock came, carrying death, sor-
row and dismay into their midst. The
main streak Of electricity entered the
gallery directly over the head of Mr..
Crocker, who was playing the bass
rviol, and diverged on either way, in
juring the persons named above.
The first moment after the shock
was one Of universal CONSERVATION
and dismay. Every person in the gal.
lery, numbering some twelve Or liE:
teen. except one OF two, were pros
trated by the shock, out those that
escaped injury, aided by persons from
below, Immediately proceeded to the
assistance of the unfortunate. Some
of the injured persons had their ia
ces and bodies burned, making them
present horrible picture.
They were all removed as quick as
possible to the open air, and the
proper remedies were applied, under
the direction of Drs. Fasset and
Gould-who, providentially, wore in
tho church at the time-which were
successful in restoring to conciousness
all except Mr.. Croker. The deceas.
cd, to all outward appearance, sus.
tanned the least injury Of any Of the
sufferers, but he was doubtless visited
with the heaviest shock.
The lightning seems to have passed
along the outside of his vest, down to
the right thiglI, then across, down his
left leg, ripping open his boot in pass
ing of. The only scar is on his left
foot, and this is very slight. He spoke
once after the shock.
Mr.. Elias Clark was standing be-
tween him and Mr.. Durfee, and no,
being injured, he proceeded to lifl
the latter up, when the deceased said
to him: "Help me, I am hurt the
worst!" Mr.. Q. was Immediately ia,
ken out, but he only gasped once or
twice and expired. His body was
then taken to the office Of Dr.. Fasset
and every means which medical sci
ence could suggest was used in vain
to restore him to consciousness.
The scene within the church imme,
diately after the shockis represented
by an eye witness to have been awful
in the extreme. The pastor, Rev
Mr.. Gilman, whose position in the
pulpit was such as to enable him tc
see at glance the terrible effect o.
the lightning, tainted away, as die
several of the ladies', and a ghastly
palencss overspread every counte
nance.
The shock was so terrific, and its
effects SO astounding, that it seemed
to deprive all of tho power of giving
vent to their feelings in the manner
usually exhibited on similar but less
appalling occasions. Not a shrek o1
q groan was heard, save the almost
inaudible ones made by some one o
the victims; no hustle or confusion
ensuod, but dread CONSERVATION seem
ed to take hold of all for the time.