The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-21
STARTLING AND svSlIMt ELECTRIC SPECTACLE.
The Heavens and the Earth Coming Together
ia Flashes of Lightning ind Bolts Of Thun.

The Heavens and the Earth Coming Together
ia Flashes of Lightning nnd Bolts Of Thun-
der.
midland (Mich.) correspondence (June 15) Detroit
Press.l
On the night Of the l4th Sunday we witnessed in
| Midland one OF the most extraordinary exhibitions
OF electrical phenomena perhaps ever beheid IN u
temperate climate and at so high latitude About
hve O'Clock III The afternoon low lying long, sinuous
mass VI dark clouds seemed to come climbing up
against the wind over the valley OF the TIltibiwasse
from the southeast, meeting light scirrhous fug
tive series OF clouds from the opposite direction but
apparently Tying higher. An electrical skirmish
seemed TO commence, an occasional Nash and clap
OF thunder, not very loud, would DC followed by a
slight shower but the clouds seemed unusually dis
turbed and mixed up. This sort OF thing kept on.
varied by an occasional CLEAN OF brilliant sunshine,
till about dark. Then colder blast from the north.
east set doors banging in the houses and seemed
to raise the deuce 8!oft. The flashes became fre-
quent, the thunder heavy, and the rain would sud
About eleven O'Clock the ball seemed to open in
earnest The lightning not only became constant,
but four nve sin and even seven flashes would shoot
from different parts Of the SKY AZ the same time;
round the horizon they chased crossed each
others path like derry serpents. from zenith 10 ma
dir they poured like falling shower If me .eors. Up
again they shot like fire balls tossed by hilarious
multitude on a gala night, till the whole ornament
darkness could be had only about every ten minutes
so constant were the emissions OF the electric fund.
Having got up out OF bed In utter amazement at the
glory and nagnncence OF the scene, tried and read
from my bedroom window at the Greasy House ten
lines OF the Free Press, lying on my dressing table.
fully grand. One instant, as lash more than usu-
ally brilliant would start nom the eastern sky, the
sombre pines to the west would shine like frosted
silver against the darkened heavens behind them.
The next instant nash from the west would reveal
the same pines as giant group OF deepest inkiest
hue against sky OF molten, cleaning gold. Build
nes az distance would start into sudden light Til
you could perceive their smallest features al view
ed by q telescope in the DAYTIME; then as suddenly
shone by another lash beyond them. And all this
time the sky, into its inmost recesses which you
could see was one seething mass OF dense cloud
surging hither and thither, but apparently pursuing
steady course or moving IN any lateral direction
AS some Of the higher lightnings flashed along the
zenith, could count five or six strata OF clouds be-
| trayed by their Illuminated edges beneath it. The
! whole armament was one blazing fiery mass, and
forcbly reminded the beholder OF the sublime des-
criptlon OF the Evangelist OF the period when the
heavens shall pass away like . SCROLL and the ele-
ments melt with fervent heat" speak 1t reveren-
tally, and with ave. when say that 1t only wanted
the appearance OF the announcing Archange to com.
pete In its fullest submlty st. Johns description OF
the end Of all earthly things. The peas OF thunder,
at 4rst frightful became so incessant that there
could only be heard continuous roar, which the
becoming accustomed to noted not, like that Of
Niagara, but Infinitely louder 1t seemed IS II the
terested as was at the magnificent phenomenon, q
sOemnity OF feeling OF the power OF the Almighty in
voluntarily crept over me.
II Is singular no harm was done to the denizens OF
earth hereabouts. watched 1T least eleven balls Of
fire dart TO earth within mile radius, and an angle
OF less than one hundred and sixty degrees from
where sat. The only casualty, and that not fatal,
is the most singular ever heard OF or witnessed the
effects Towards the east end OF Midland, about
chain and half from the banks ofthe Tittlbiwassee
James Spencer and his wife and child slept in
eight by ten room In cottage and q younger
brother occupied the next bedroom, still less in size.
One of the slnrpest OF the flashes struck tall pine
(eft for 0rnanent close 10 the corner OF his bed
room, and descending IL leaped about twenty feet
from the ground through the gable OF the house.
Through the bedroom ceiling 1t passed, leaving a
hole like muket ball Thence II struck the upper
corner OF the mirror hanging against the wall and
running down its back again pierced the glass with
Frame made for the bed 1t took hold OF Mr. Spencer
at the wrist, and winding upwards around his arm,
darted acrosshis body, leaving burned mark on his
skin ana singed mark on his woOllen shirt on Its
passage aud leaving him insensible. Having no
respect for innocent childhood II next took hold OF
his infant about six months OF age, singed the hair
or his scalp knocked 1t also senseless, but turned
before more than frightening the mother by its side
and made for the next room, where Johnny Spencer
was lying. II tore'through that leaving a mark like
Johnny " never even dreamt Of It," He was fast
asleep when the Streams OF Mrs. Spencer brought
Mr.. Charbonneau who with his family slept In the
other end ofthe house to the scene. Mr.. Charbon-
crowded with suphWous smoke, woman scream
ing for dear life. father insensible, child but
barely breathing and the prospects OF re imminent.
II took two hours OF cold water duckng and plen-
tiful application OF internal stimulant to bring Mr..
Spencer TO Consciousness, and then he did not know
what had happened. The babe to-day breathes
slowly and Is unconscious, but its rate Of pusation
II evidently on the increase. visited the place this
morning, and he scene il w0nderful-the pine is
riven, the end Of the house all shattered to atoms
and what was twenty-four hours ago fair, sound
looking cottage Is now all but travelled ruin. And,
still more WONDERFUL the inmates are all a. yet alive
and promise u do well II no relapse sets In.