Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1869-09-03


eleven miles southwest of town, was
visited by lightning, the charge go-
ing down the stove-pipe into the
kitchen and thence to the cellar. A
dog, lying under the stove, was kill
ed, and the family narrowly escaped
with their lives by being in another
room at the time; they had just left
q few minutes before.
L. Hensley's house, two miles
south of town, was entered during
the same storm, via the chimney; no
serious damage done.
We learn incidentally that little
girl at Buckingham, was killed dur
ing the same storm. She was stand
ing by her mother at the time, who
was also considerably shocked by the
charge. but has recovered.
East of Waterloo, we learn from
the Reporter, a tree was struck on
the premises Of VIM. Cramine, kill
ing at the same time, two mich cows
and two two-year olds. A barn near
the tree was also struck at the same
time injuring three horses severely.
The storm in the afternoon exceed
ed In terrific fury, anything we ever
experienced. 1t was exceedingly hot
during the middle of the day and
about three o'clock the clouds began
to gather blackness from four direc-
tions, though there seemed to be no
indications of a serious storm, but it
soon commenced and i'm all its fury
poured down. accompanied with the
almost instantaneous charges of
lightning. 1t seemed for time as
though the heavens were on fire, and
that the earth was soon to be. Our
streets were soon flooded and the
water-courses filled TO overlooking.
The culvert at the Home could not
accommodate the large body OF water
that came down Fifth street. The
cellars and yards along 4th and 9Th
streets Were favored with more than
a passing notice. The wind which
set in during the storm, beat the rain
badly into the shocks and stacks in
the country. Very few stacks were
proof against so much wind and wa
ter, ana the farmers have been COM
PEELED to take them down and stack
over again the unspoiled part. There
was solemn look on the counte-
nances of every one Friday night,
but the weather since has been all
that could Leasked for, cool and clear,
and the farmers have been improving
every moment. 1t Is hoped that the
damage will not be as severe as feared
but viii be fully up to what we have
estimated above. We have learned
of a number of fields being nearly
swept away, along dry run and in
the vicinity of the Big Woods, by
the sudden rise of the water.
The lightning accidents In the af-
ternoon were more severe than In the
morning. >.-
Ed. Shields house, north Of town,
was struck on the gable end, the
charge passed down to the ground,
tearing off boards but doing no seri-
Gus damage.
Mr.. Wells, on the GAINESVILLE road,
had horse and steer killed. They
were about forty rods apart near
wire fence and it is supposed that the
same charge killed the two. The
horse was thrown over the fence
from where it was standing.
Mr.. Mckinney, north of town, had
eleven shocks of wheat struck and
burned. whether by the same charge
we cannot say. Mr.. Leversee also
had one burned.
Chester Corey, southwes. of town,
had two stacks struck and burned,
and Philip Eiler one.
We learn from the Waterloo Re-
porter, that the stacks of wheat be-
longing to Smith Bros, of Big Creek
township, were struck and consumed.
Several shocks of wheat were also
struck and burned In the fields of r..
Kennedy, M. Helm and Mr.. Fritz, In
the same township.
The house on the farm belonging
to F. Moulton, near LaPorte, was
struck at the flue. the electricity fol-
lowing down into the interior of the
house, completely Kidding things ;
no one injured, though several were
in the house at the time.
A workman, in The vicinity Of I.s.
Porte, received a shock, and sir.ce
has been slightly 4.eran.s.a.
3. =. Smi...., who resides near
Wolf Creek post Office, Tama county,
was struck by lightning and Instant
ly killed, while driving home with q
threshiEg machine just purchased at
Waterloo. He was just crossing the
bridge at LaRorte when killed. A
part of the machine was melted and
otherwise Injured.
May we not hope that such storms
are now ar an end, for tLis season ut
least. If any more like those of last
Friday, are in store for us, we prefer
to divide the thing up with those
sections which are suffering with
drouth,