The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-06-08

THE LlGHrS1SG CASUALTY IN MANCHESTER =
INTERESTING STATEMENT OF AN EYEWITNESS
The killing of John Chambers by lightning
while at Mr. r. II. Bsllowe's residence, cor.
ncr of Fourth and Bainbridge streets, Man
chester, on Saturday evening, was noticed in
yesterday 5 issue of the Dispatch. Ii appear
from an inspection Of the premises that there
was no rod to the house. The Lightning
struck the building i'm two paces-on The
roof and west side. The house is situated
on the north side Of Fourth. street, and is
two-story framed structure with brick foun
dation. Mr.. and Mrs. Ballowe ard daughter
Leila, aged about twelve years, were seated
at the supper-table in the diniDg.room in the
basement, under the parlor and front ball
The two seryantS-John Chambers, who
was killed, and his sister, Irene Chambers
were in the kitchen. a small room which ad
joins the dining-room on the north, with
communicating door. John Chambers was
picking q lot OF strawberries and his sister
was seated on a bench under the western
window Of the kitchen when the storm came
UP. She told her brother not to sit so neal
the stove, but to move to the other side o
the room. 1t was fatal change for him.
however, as he was killed almost instantly
The two were struck at the same moment
The brother was dashed 70 the floor, his head
falling near the dining room door, which wa:
partly open, and Irene was literally picked
up and buried violently 10 the floor. Her
brother was struck upon the temple ana lcit
eye, the fluid passing down bis breast, ano
then oil 10 some other object IN the room
The girl TaS struck upon the arms, breast,
and lees. The marks of the lightning lelt
forkcd scars upon her flesh.
Mrs. Balowe gave very interesting ac'
count of the whole affair. She stated that
She was seated ut the head of the table. heE
back and side being towards the Kitchen
door. The lightning came as if 1t had
been large ball Of fire. 1t seemed lo
dash itself against the partitlon-"all oppo'
site her, and then 60 back again. IL tore
the glass chimney from the lamp, threw ii
upon the table, and eXliugnsbed the light
The family seemed all more or less affected
though not one of the white members was
injured. They were, however, greatly op'
pressed, and could scarcely breathe. The
oxygen seemed to have been destroyed, or
burned TO an alarming degree in the room
Indeed, she states that when the light was
put out, Leila, Mrs. Ballowe's daughter, un.
dcltook to light match, but not until she
CtlIlc W LUG l1SL OIt III tuS ooA "ao 'hS ~
abled to make light, and even then the
wick of the lamp was ignited with great diff.
Gculty.
The lightning appears TO have first con-
ccntrated on a long piece Of wire in the yard
on the west side of the house, and which bad
been used ever since the War Is clothes
line. One fork penetrated the foundation
wall, tearing small hole through the bricks,
entering the kitchen, killing the negro boy,
and seriously irjuriug his sister, as already
described, and went out directly opposite.
making hole through the brick wall lWO
auu i halt feet by fifteen inches large. The
other fork ran up the side of the house on
4 lin gutter, and over the roof 10 the north.
cru or rear end Of the chamber on the cast.
X tore OF The piaS:cring on the side OF the
Wiud0W->aSh from bottom TO top, and threw
| the b"adin!; and 4 portion of the frame
work TO The other side Of the room. II then
passed OH Of the window and down the
corner Of the house into the calth, tearing
and melting away Il strip Of lead which Mr..
BalloHe had nailed in the corner TO keep out
the rain and snow. The Notwithstanding
was Scorchcd in several places, and the tim
bers torn here and there in fantastic shapes
In a little end.room over the hall The plaster
inc was torn away, and in the parlor thu
celliug was cracked from one emu 10 tus
other.
The colored boy killed by the lightning
was buried on Sunday. His sister attended
the funeral, although quite sore anu sullef
iny from the effects OF the shock. 1eSier
day she was suffering great deal, ana al
fributed her more serious indiSposltlon u
going out too soon. Her feet are muci
swollen. and after regaining her conscious
ness complained that they felt as II the!
were burning.
Mr.. Ballowe is one of the employees at tht
Manchester flour mills, and came from BUCK
jngbam county 10 this city.
Mrs. Ballowe ibis wife) speaks very kindly
Of her neighbors, who have been exceedingly
attentive and thoughtful since the casualty
They have sent her meals and rendered fbett bet
under obligations in other respects. She
feels that it will be hard for ber ever to g
back to the kitchen again, as it has been tht
scene of so much excitement, ana ever
death.
M Il -