The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-08-18
Freaks of LiGhtnins-Singula IF.
fects at the Residence of MIR. COpp,
Hankaru.

From the st. Louis Republican OF Saturday.
The freaks Of i@htning during a thunder
storm are often both fantastic and ineXpli-
cable, and such rs TO excite rs much sur
prise as dsmay. An illustration of these
curious electric doings occurred on Thurs
day evening ut the house of Mr.. Samuel
Copp, Of the firm of Allen, Copp IL NiSbct,
bankers. Mr.. Copp's residence is 4 very
handsome threc-story mansion, and has
rather Il commanding position on the
northeast corner Of Twenty-thrd and LO-
Gust streets. 1t stands almost alone, on
an elevation with a grass plat and railing
in front, and shaded by trees at the east
side. ON the evening of the storm, ut
about O'Clock, Mr.. Copp got on the Wash
ingtOn Avenue car to 90 home. On ac-
count Of the rain, however, he did not
alight at the point nearest his house, but
rode Il block beyond and took shelter in
Uhrig'S cave. The rain was then falling in
torrents, and the thunder ratified and roared
overhead. From where he was Nlr. Copp
could plainly see his house, and while look
ing in that direction there were several
binding lightning flashes, and it seemed at
one moment as if Il sheet of fire cnvclopcd
the building. Fearing that the house had
been struck, he lost no time in going home,
and he then became appriZcd of the effect
of the singular fiery visitation. Two Of his
daughters were in the front parlor when the
storm was in progress, and when the out
burst of thunder occurred and the light
ming struck the e{lifice the effect was truly
bewildcring and alarming. The room in
which. they were seemed suddenly filled
with Il CHASTITY, smoky atmosphere, and
kind of sulphurous smell pervadcd the
house. The young ladies and the SER
wants were much frightened, and for
Il little while the most serious con-
sequences were apprehendcd. The cri-
dcnccS of al electric visitation were not
confined to one room or portion of the build
ing. The lightning manifested its presence
in sleeping apartment on the east side of
the building overlooking the verandah on
Twenty-third street. a young lady in the
room distinctly saw the dazzling sparks OF
lightning playing near the 9aS-pipe, and
when bureau that stood against the wall
was removed it was found that the plaster
had been torn off by the passage Of the fluid,
and IN iron nail near the same place looked
as though it had been subjected to the heat
of furnace. The lightning could be traced
along the wall several feet by the curious
cracks and deep scratches it left. The eX-
act spot of its entrance and exit could not,
however, be definitely fixed. The outside
of the building was minutely examined
yesterday, but no traces OF any kind were
visible.
Some Of the servants were badly scared.
A negro woman, a cook, was going into the
basement, in the rear of the house, when
she saw what seemed ball Of fire moving
along the stovc-pipe. She was quite over
come with fright, and almost tainted.
Unmistakablc evidences of the visit OF
lightning were found in several other rooms,
and We're always near the Sas-pipe, as
though that had acted Us the conductor. In
some cases there were holes cut through
the fine wallpaper of the elegant rooms,
and in many places the gilt adornments had
suffered a discoloration.
A curious circumstance in connection
with this matter is that the house is pro-
tected by no less than five lightning conduc-
tors, one at each corner, and an additional
one in the south wing. Whatever cxplana-
ton can be given Of the phenomenon in a
scientific sense. it is evident the visit of the
electric fluid was an extraordinary one, and
amid so many dangers it is not surprising
that Mr.. Copp and his family are thankful
that no injury has been sustained beyond
the tearing off of the plaster, wall paper, and
the temporary agitation previously referred
to.
The electric discharge seems to have per-
vaded the building, but it is probable its
main current was safely conveyed into the
earth by the conductors.