Kenosha tribune & telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1856-1859, 1859-05-26
Advice about Lightning

sons are killed by lightning every year
IN tins country, and as the season is APP
preaching when casualties OF this kind
are imminent, a few words of advice
and caution upon the subject may serve
as a safeguard, if carefully observed
During the prevalence Of a recent
thunder storm which visited the town
and vicinity of ST. Petersburg, Ill.,, two
men were suddenly killed by stroke
OF lightning, which descended the chin
ney Of the house in which they were re-
siding. One of the unfortunate vic
TINS was in the act of winding a clock
that stood on the mantlepiece, and the
other was standing Immediately behind
him, when both were struck lifeless.
Two women were at the same time sit
ting i'll the room and escaped injury, as
they happened to be seated some dis
lance from the chimney.
When the lighthing's fash and the
thunder's crash are seen and heard al,
most simultaneously, tits sign that dan.
ger is at hand, and the next bolt may
| strike the tenement which affords us
shelter. To know the place of greatest
safety upon such occasion is important
knowledge. This science clearly teach
es us, and as faithful monitor, its voice
should be heard with attention.
The earth and atmosphere are satur-
ated with electricity, which ordinarily
remains in state of equilibrium. When
this condition is disturbed we have the
phenomena of thunder-s torms-which
is simply an effort Of nature to restore
the electric equilibrium between the at
mospherc and the earth. The almost
phere in such eases is converted into a
huge Leyden jar; the lightning is simply
descriptive discharges through the inter
yening air and thunder is the sound
caused by the violent and sudden com.
preston Of the air-producing waves,
hence the long continued roll like the
discharge of artillery. Lightning is the
most subtitle and irresistible power of
nature. a single flash can shiyer the
tall mast Of a war,ship that might bid
defiance to a cannonade, or rend the LOT
ty oak OF the forest to splinters in an
instant: and single bolt has toppled
the tall church spire to the dust in the
twinhling Of an eye. What is the puny
power of man before such mighty ag-
emit? 1t is physically trail as q feather
or Trembling leaf. Armed in The pan
oply of science, however, man, like a
weak but skilIful general, can maneu-
yer his forces against this otherwise de-
struclive power, and convert danger
into comparative safety.
This discovery was made when Frank
lin proved the identity Of lightning and
electricity with his little kite. Eectri-
city possesses the peculiar property of
flowing quietly along or through what
are called conductors" such as copper
gold, iron; &c. and taking advantage
Of this, the American philosopher sug-
gested the erection Of tall rods of iron
or copper on houses and ships, to tap
the Leydon jars of the atmosphere, and
:. convey their charges quietly and safely
to the earth. THIS suggestion carried
out has saved thousands of lives and
millions worth of property, hence all
houses should be provided with such
conductors: but as is the case now, per
haps the great majority of buildings will
always be unsupplied with such agen
cles. In all such eases, it should never
be forgotten that the lightning always
seeks to pass to the earth by the nearest
prominent conductors, hence we have
an explanation of the cause why trees,
masE of ships, steeples Of churches,
towers and chimneys are so often struck
and why the persons referred to above
should not have been standing so neal
the fireplace on the occasion of thun,
der storm which cost them their lives
In such storms, persons in houses should
sit Or lie in some place as far distant as
possible from the chimney ond the most
exposed parts Of the walls-the middle
OF the room, if it is large, is the safes
Locality. Sailors on the sea should keel
as Tar from the masts as possible, anC
farmers in the fields should never
seek shelter under trees. Horizontal
strokes Of lightning sometimes take
place, and several persons have beer
sruck while sitting at open Windows
during thunder-storms. Every window
OF room III which persons are sitting il
such cases, should be closed flash o
the fluid, which would pass through al
open window into an apartment, will b.
conducted down through the floor anC
wall to the earth if the window is shut
We have thus given some directions t.
be followed by all persons during th'
prevalence of lightning, and we have
set forth the science of the question, 81
that all may not only see the reasonable
ness Of our remarks, but their seasonal
bleness also.-Scieaatifc american.
Hon to Gsin Undninaity an JurieS.-Let tn,
nrv consist exclusively of ladies' As it is pro
verbal that women never do disagree. Their
would not be the slightest difficulty insecuring
i alWNys an unanimous verdict