Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-09-09
Accidents bY Lightning.

~ SA@oASA~0'
Since the advent of warm weather
this year there has been an unusu-
al number OF accidents by light
ming. Many of these have been
in the city papers, and
many others only in the provin-
cial journals. They have served
to attract attention, in consequence
of their number, and the extraor-
binary character of some OF them
to the electrical phenomena of
thunder storms and they have
illustrated, quite remarkably, the
ignorance oil many persons upon
this subject.
Some singular accidents have
occurred. But a short time ago a
locomotive upon one OF the New
Jersey railroads was struck by
lightning. The metal probably
attracted the electric fluid. Near
Orange, in the same State, a house
upon which there was conduc-
tor was struck during a heavy
shower. The lightning entered
by the window, and killed a person
who was near it. Very recently,
a man who was swimming in the
creek near Hunters Point was
struck and instantly killed.
About two weeks ago, horse in
Moriches, L. /, was struck by
lightning; in the middle ofthe night
the wife of the farmer who owned
it was killed, while he, who was
sleeping beside her remained un-
harmed.
1t is important for people to un-
derstand that there is danger in ex-
posing themselves to thunder
storms +; for a large proportion Of
accidents arise from unnecessary
and careless exposure. Almost all
metallic substances are good con-
ductors Of electricity, and conse-
quently it is dangerous to carry
such articles as a hoe, spade, OF
a pitchfork, when out in a thunder
shower. A few days ago a labor.
er in Greenwood Cemetery was
struck by lightning, which was
attracted by a shovel he was car.
rying on his shoulder. He was
killed. Lightningis also attracted
by rapid current of air; and
hence it is unsafe to allow g
draught through the windows and
doors Of house during a thunder
storm. Many persons have lost
their lives through neglect in refer
ence to this.
New-mown hay seems particu
larly to attract lightning, and
barns filed with it are often struck
1t is always safer for persons al
work in such barns to leave them
on the approach Of a thunder show.
er. A man was killed by lightning
while riding on a load of hay al
/ Rochester last week.
1t is generally thought that
lightning rods are efficient protec
ton to buildings to which they are
attached. This is probably cor
rect, if the rods are properly made
and properly put up. The acct
dent in New Jersey which we have
mentioned, where a house or
which there was a conductor was
struck, seems to show that suffi
cient care is not taken in this re
spect.
The question is as to whether OF
not lightning-rods should be insu
lated-that is separated from The
building by non-conducting sub
stance, usually glass-has beer
much discussed lately. 1t Seems
that high authorities differ about it
If some one of our scientific
men who has made study of elec
tricity would publish short trea
tise on precautions against acci
dents by lightning, he would con
fer a real benefit npon the commu
nifty. A treatise of the kind
would have a large circulation, es.
pecially in the country, where the
danger is rather greater than in
cities, and better appreciated. Il
would undoubtedly, by the knowl
edge which it would furnish the
community, be the means of sa.
wing many lives.