Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-07-13
STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING.
The dwelling house of Mr.. L. Gers
tie was struck 10y lightning last week,
tearing of five of the weather board
ing and breaking one of the cross pie
ces that binds the building, also sha-
king off the plasteriAg OH the inside
of the house. Some Of the inmates of
the house were slightly shocked. The
building is % by so feet, with an ell,
and one story aud a half in height.
with four chimneys to the main build
ing, one lightning rod to each chimney
and one to the ell, making five in all,
and what will seem probably remark
able and astonishing to the lightning
rod men the electricity struck one Of
the rods and twisted it into the shane
OF a cOiled serpent and sped on its
way Undisturbed by such little plav-
things. The truth of the matter is
this the spikes placed on the top of
the rods have about sufficient actrac
tive power to draw the lightning, but
not enough to draw it off, ana thew
thus become implements Of danger in
stead of safety. They will do for or
naments like other fantastic novelties
or humbugs of the age, but keep such
things away from us in time of dam
ger. a gentleman of Bristol put them
up and said while doing so that he
wOuln be willing TO pay Mr.. Gerstle
five hundred dollars if that house was
ever struck by lightning. He can now
come and be convinced 10y ocular de-
ration that his five hundred"
is forfeited or either pay the money or
admit that the lightning-rOd business
is a gross fraud.
We attended the County Court last
week and found the interchangeable Geo.
Il. Mcclellan at his post. A good deal
Of important business was transacted.
Short speeches were made, urging the
people of Sullivan county To prepare
for the Centennial. MIR. VIII Fain
was in favor of organizing a military
company to 20 to the Border Fair this
fall and attend the Centennial in 1876.
Mr. FaiH received about thirty names
for the military company. Mr.. TrOus-
dale spoke on the subject education.-
He may be ready and apt with the pen
but he has not got that vim and force
that l. required to arouse the people on
this subject. There was a general rush
of persons on Mr.. Thomas 10 pay their
taxes o." prop0pCrty advertised for
sale. Dissatisfaction existed caused
10y the present mode of adding big
bill OF costs TO the regular tax, The sum
total e. b" paid in cash The collector
refused 20 take County Warrants, sta
ting that he was complying with in
structions from Nashville. The pcO-
pie we think should not blame Mr..
Thomas, he has to do his duty in the
premises, however TepugnaUt 10 his
feelings. These laws are certainly op-
pressiVe, but who Is to blame ?-thr
people. They send men to make their
laws, many of whom have no redeem
ing quality to recommend them to
popular favor, save ignorance and stu
pidity. Like an empty vessel, they
make lots of noise, void of common rea-
son and common sense When we rid
ourselves of these spOuting, wOuld-be-
Legislators, and put in their place in
telligent, honest and practical men,
we will soon experience change for
the better. If we continue to err in
the face of experience we may Contin-
ne TO look for the tax collector like q
ShylOck, demanding the last pound of
flesh.
Messrs. Geo. r. Mcclellan, Owen NJ.
White, and DIR. John Hammer are at
! tending the Federal Court at Knox
vile, from this county.
The Wheat crop will turn out better
than many anticipated. Corn and
oats never looked better. Raining
heIe necessarily the past week.
Tie printer made what school boys
call bust last week in giving Henry
Clay credit for what Patrick Henry
should have said.
WORSERNER.O