New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-30
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
Cu1DPEN KILLED RY LIGHTNING.

CHILDREN KILLED BY LIGHTNING.
Svo YOUNG DAUGHTERS OF MR.. wIswELI- OF
MoRRIsAN1A, STRUCK BY lightning WHILE AT
PLAY.
Dark clouds gathered over Morrisania and the
lower districts of Westminster County yesterday
noon, and at half past / o'clock fierce thunder
storm broke with sudden fury. The heat had been
very oppressive and people everywhere sought the
open air. little needing the warnings of the mutter-
ing thunder. Amodest frame cottage occupied by
Mr.. Wiswell a master mechanic employed In the car
shops of the Harlem Railroad Company, stands
upon bluff rising abruptly from Fulton-ave. at
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 1t is half hidden
by vines and beautiful shade-trees.
large yard surrounds the cottage ana
tail white-oak trees stand at the gate
Near the cottage door, between two very large
oaks. Mr. Wiswell has built a seat of wooden slabs
from which fine view of the surrounding land
scape is enjoyed. His two little girls, Emily; age
six years, and Ada, age four and half, nave Deeh
accustomed TO play there in the shelter on tne over
hanging trees and George their brother a lad OF
seven, who had been adopted by his grandparents
Mr. and Mrs. Kerr was their constant companion.
Mr. Kerr, an old and trusted emplOye IN Arnold q
Constablc's wholesale house, lives across the rQad.
One wing of the Wisweu cottage Is occupied by
Miss Coles private school Miss Cole lodges wlth
the family, occurring the room above me school
Yesterday the Wiswelis had eaten Their dinner,
and the girls had gone IN their tayOr1e seat WIN
book Of nursery rhymes. Their brother George,
who had been AT dinner with them, mad been sent
10 his home and Mr. Wiswel, standing in the cot
tage door, saw him cross the road. few warning
CrOps of rain lust then made HIM turn toward ms
two girls nesting IN the seat lie lad Just called
to them to run from the coming storm, when, WIN
deafening cTash the lightning struck the taller OF
the Two oaks which sheltered the seat stripping
The bark from the trunk and scattering
the leaves. In an instant the glare was
followed by a torrent of rain, and ne
half stunned, made his way 10 where his two
children lay dead at the foot Of the oak. Ia the
Youngest there seemed still 10 be life, but III was
zone before medical aid could be OF service. Ine
lightning, passing down the tree had struck AGA III
the forehead leaving a large red mark. burning
the skin on her hands, breast ana limbs, II hau
passed 10 her sister, striking her IN the throat under
The chin. The clothes of both children were DuThe
and the shoes torn from their feet. Touching upon
every nail head IN the bench upon which they were
sitting and tearing large splinter from one OF tue
plauks the lightning h2d leaped 10 the other Tree
and passed Into the ground making round hole
the size of pencil. =,
Both father and mother had seen the sudden
death of their children and the narrow escape OF
who had Just reached the street little gr,
ON her way to play with the Kerr children when the
storm made her turn back. Her cries and the
ehrieks of the frantic parents, called the nelghDOI5
ihrslgh the storm to their AID. The girls were
taken into the house and DR.. Comfort was quickly
called but aid was vain. Sympathizing neIghbors
mother during the evening Large crowds gathered
10 look at the spot where the lightning struck
Both girls were remarkably bright pupils In Miss
Coles school and had just entered on their vacation
with auticpaJIOus OF a happy Summer 10 Miss
Cole who lay upon the sofa reading book When
The flash came, the lightning seemed TO burst from
the pages OF the book she, too, was for a time
partly stunned.