Arizona weekly citizen., 1884-09-27
Killed by Lightning.

On the 2sih of August the CITIZEN gave all the particulars then to be ob- taiGed of the death of Fred Russell, by lightning, in Sulphur Spring Valley. from letter dated August 22d.
 Col. A. De Land, who was one Of the party Gnd witnessed the event, IS now in this city, and from him further infOrma IS gleaned:
 The party consisted of Col DeLand, Fred. Russell, Jack Russell and George F.. Bailey, a colored cook The party left here about the first of August, on a prospecting trip around the GalIuras, and with the intention of hunting a rich mine of which they had obtained some definite information. At the time of the accident they were in Rockers ranch, at Box Springs. They made camp under huge syc- amore tree, the wagon upon one side and the large tent upon the other, fully twenty-five feet apart. The two Rus sells had been up IT the mountains llok- ing for water tanks, es theIr supply of
 water was getting low, and had returned at noon very tired. About that time NApttA6 bS rnu ts pttIs anu Ab soou bt-
 came a matter of certainty that a thun-
 der storm would soon break upon them. | In short time thereafter It began to rain little, and for an hour kept ram | ing at short intervals until nearly three i o'clock, when II began to come down | very heavy-almost like a cloudburst. | At the time of the accident Bailey was | sitting near the front of the tent, Jack ! Ia yk Hn.a r end and Fred Russell was lying near their feet. All were reading. De Land was inst in the act of rising to his f, ct
 when n terrific explosion took place, ! seemingly just behind him. IL sounded
 like blast by the explosion of lot of gIant powder. 4 peculiar dust filled the
 tent for a time, and all seemed stunned. 1 Col. De Land was soon on his feet and l at glance saw that Fred Russell was
 badly hurt if not killed outright, and he
 went at once to his rescue. He placed ! @ pillow under his head and poured water over his face and breast, 1 but failed 10 revive him. Being unable | to detect any evidence of life m him he | turned his attention to the others, and
 succeeded in dragging them out into
 the rain, under the influence of which | they soon revived somewhat, but Jack | Russell renamed unconscious for four | teen hours. Their muscles were drawn up by the electrical current and they ' suffered intense pain. Both were badly | burned on the back, the skin on Bailey's ! back being all taken of for space of l six or eight inches wide the whole length of his spine. Their hats and clothing were also scOrche1. For several days their muscles were drawn with sev,re tension and 1t was not until they had been for eleven days at Dr. Kings ranch, winch place they reached the day after Dr.
 King was murdered, that a thorough course of remedies fully relaxed their systems and give them entire relief.
 Colonel DeLaud buried Fred beside
 the tent 10 which they were camped, and II was a task almost beyond his strength. It was a sad scene for him. digging a grave and burying his friend alone, his only company being ais help less and moaning companions. Those recovered complained of the dreadful pains in their lungs and in their spine, which lasted for nearly three weeks.
 Upon the entire recovery Of Jack Rus sell and ien. Bailey, the party came into Benson, and Col De Land returned to this city while the others returned for a hunt in the mountains, hoping to re- cuperate.
 The deceased, Fred Russell left a wife in Baltimore. His parents reside in Bath, Maine. At an early age Fred went to sea, and while in Baltimore married very worthy lady. She was a Catho- lie, and for that Ieas Fred was disinherited. and almost cursed by his wealthy but puritanical father. Whether the old mans hatred of hls son will soften al his dreadful fate in a far-on land. remains to be seen, but 1t Is said that had he been less austere his boy Uolli now have been comfort ing his old age under the roof Of the parental mansion.