Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-09-26
A MARTYR TO SCIENCE.

After #ranklin made his great discov-
cry Of the identity of lightning and cleo
tricity, by means of kite sent up into
the air during a thunder storm, many phi
losophers eagerly sought to repeat the
experiment. Among these, Prof. Rich
man, Of St. Petersburg, was the most in
defatigable and fearless. In pursuing a
series Of experiments on atmospheric cleo
trcity, he erected what was called a
gnomon, which consisted principally of a
Leyden jar, communicating with an iron
rod, which rose some feet above the roof
of his house and an electrometer, con-
sistfng of a linen thread with half a grain
| Of lead tied to it. OF course, when the
gnomon was charged with electricity, and
had communicated that faid to the thread
and the metal, the latter being easily
moved, wohfd be repealed from the gno-
mon and its angular ascent on the face
of divided quadrant or index, indicated
the force of the electricity which had been
accumulated.
On the 9th of August, 1852, Richman
obtained from the end of the rod electric
flashes, which could be heard at several
feet distant and if any person touched
the apparatus smart shock was felt. On
the 9Th Of August, 1853, the professor,
while at meeting Of the Academy Of
Sciences, heard the sounds of distant
thunder and having previously made
every arrangement for making expert
ments he instantly quilted the assembly,
taking with him his engineer, Sokolow, to
make draughts of whatever might appear
interesting in the phenomenon. On their
arrival at Richmans house the plummet
of the electrometer was found elevated
four degrees from the perpendicular ; in
other words, the electricity IN the gnomon
had accumulated to such an extent that
it repealed the lead to the distance men
toned.
While the philosopher was in the act
of describing to his companion the dan
gerous consequences which might follow
if the lead rose to 45 degrees, tremen-
dous crash Of thunder shook the city. He
bent his head over the gnomon to observe
the indications Of the electrometer, and
in this position, with his head foot from
the ironrod, a globe of blush white fire,
about the size of Mr.. Sokoow's fist shot
from the rod to the professors head, ac-
companied by report as loud as that Of
a pistol
The discharge proved fatal he fell
back on chest and expired in moment.
Sokolow was stupiGed and benumbed by
a kind ofyapor which had generated, and
his clothes were covered with burnt marks
produced by the red-hot fragments of a
metallic wire which had struck his person.
On recovering himself, he rushed out of
the house, and made known the terrible
disaster which had taken place. In the
meanwhile, Madame Richman, alarmed
by the thunder-stroke, FASTENED to the
chamber, and found her lifeless husband
in the attitude of sitting upon the chest,
and leaning against the wall. The medi-
cal part of the case is NOS without inter
est. Aid was of course Instantly obtain
ed vein was opened, but no blood
flowed from it and, although every at
tempt was made to restore life by violentl
friction and other means all was in vain.
When the body was turned, small guam
tity Of blood dropped from the mouth,
and from red spot which marked the
forehead, few drops also oozed out.
Several red and blue spots, not unlike
leather, shrunk by burning, were discov-
cred on different parts of the body. The
shoe Of the left foot was burst open, and
a blue mark appeared On the foot beneath
the aperture The stocking exhibited no
corresponding hole, and the coat had
been uninjured. On opening the body.
neither the brain or the Uranium showed
any appearance of injury; little blood
appeared in the cavities below the lungs
and in the lungs towards the back, which
were Of dark brown color. The heart
glands and smaller intestines were all in
famed, but the entrails were of the natu-
raj appearance. Some silver in one Of