The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-14
FATAL THUNDERBOLT.
THE FREAKS OF THE FLUID.

WHERE IT STRUCK, WHO 1T HIT AND THE
DAMAGE DcNE-oNE BOY KILLED AND SIX
COMPANIONS INJURED.
During the severe storm at the Trotting
Park yesterday afternoon seven boys We're
struck by lightning, one being instantly
killed. 1t was half-past two when the rain
was coming down in torrents and the loud
est reports of thunder were making the
earth fairly vibrate, when it occurred. The
report was distinctly heard by every one on
the grounds, but it was some twenty minutes
before word came from the fatal
spot that at least one life had been sacrificed
by the mysterious power. On arriving at
the railroad entrance gate, (where the bolt
struck the following particulars were
learned. The seven boys were huddled to-
gether on the outside of the ticket and :ele-
graph office, trying to shield themselves
from the rain. Mayor Mitchell and others
who were inside ofthe building saw the boys
| there and one of them in the act Of climbing
| over the fence. Immediately after the parties
| inside were almost shaken from their seats
and standing places by the stroke. Mayor
Mitchell said that 1t made him shake from
| head to foot. The water was pouring of
| the roof in a perfect sheet, ana OF a con-
sequence made splendid conductor. The
bolt undoubtedly struck the writer
on the roof and went straight
down in the street pouring down on the
| boys and dealt its destruction. IL did not
inJure anything about the building,
not even a shingle of the roof
so stunned that they did not look for the
| bows and when they did they discovered
that they were lying at some distance apart
4 strstched out at full length. Officer Bren-
up Johnny Shea, who was killed outright,
and carried him into the building. The
| others were then carried in and a messenger
4 dispatched to the amphitheater for a physi-
clan. Two brothers of
| THE DEAD BOY
| were on the ground, and on arriving at the
side of their dead brother made most
affecting sight by their lamentations. The
remains OF the killed boy and the
other six injured boys were placed
on the train and brought to the city. The
six were hurt as follows:
Johnny Collins, aged 10 years. in the legs
| His father is VIM. Collins. and is employed
in the Adams Express office at the Union
Depot. and lives at 1S7 Meek street.
Geo. Rafert, a step-son of Mr.. Ingus. Ter
chant Tailor, 2Os West Washington street. is
Is years of age, was also hurt in the legs.
Il Willie Henderson, a son of Mr. Robert
Henderson, a machinist in the Bee Line
shops, is IL years old, and escaped with but
slight shock.
!, Charley Lewis, boy of IL wears, who
works at Mr.. Thompsops grocery, on
South Meridian street, was hurt on the
right leg, his pants being torn from the
limb. His leg was pretty badly hurt, but
nothing serious is apprehended.
A boy named Padgen was injured in
the back, and another, whose
name was not learned, sustained
slight bruises. The six boys were all i'm
proving and in a fair way TO recover last
night. Two of them were able to walk to
Hedges to give evidence on the inquest OF
Sheas remains. The jury found verdict
in accordance with the facts given above.
Shea is the son of widow, washerwoman,
Mrs. Mary Shea, who lives at 162 Meek
street. A year ago brother of the boy was
killed by the cars near the Spencer House.
i ELSEWHERE.
The house of Mrs. Greaney, 40 Meek
street, was struck. during the storm
the bolt passing entirely over the room
Mrs. Greaney was in, causing fall of plas
tering on her head and shoulders. The belt
passed through the root again, and besides
the air-holes in the root, no damage was done
The bolts flew around lively southeast o
the city, doing some damage to trees, DC.
horse standing under walnut tree on tn,
farm of Mr.. Holmaus, six miles southeas
of the city. was struck and instantly killed
The house of Mr.. Seidensticker, at 377 Nortf
East street, editor of the Telegraph, wa,
struck, though but little damage followed
The freaks of the fluid were noticeable in thi.
I. case. The1ightning first. hit the lightning roc
! and followed it. in the regulationsway unit
il met two nails that secured the rod TO th,
house. Following these instead of the roc
the electricity entered the parlor
knocked off a little plastering anC
and spent itself in the air. VIM. Seiden
, stieker was at the time passing with hi
young child in his arms, into the psrlor
He was made aware of the presence of
foreign body"by flash, aud faint tinglin,
l was, however, hurt in the least, or ielt tn
I presence of the bolt.