New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-07
DESTRUCTION BY LIGHTNING.
AMAN KILLED In NEw-JERsEY.
BARNS BURNED AND PEOPLE PRosTRATED-sINoU-
LAR FREAKS IN CONNECTICUT.

BARNS BURNED AND PEOPLE PRosTRATED-siSoo-
LAR FREAKS IN CONNECTICUT.
Abram Hopper has farm at Saddle hlver,
Bergen County, n. j. adjoining the stone church "hen
the heavy thunderstorm came up on FRIDAY
his son-in.aw Gsrret Van Gelder, and colored man
known as SAM were ploughng. Seeing the heavy black
clouds. they unhitched tho horses and drove them
into the barn, where they removed the mar
ness. Mr.. Hopper feeding some chickens
near the barn. There was binding nash Oh
lightning and terrific crash. Mr.. Hopper saw ngnt
smoke arising haylot and ran to tho barn with
John Goetchius, q neighbor When they entered tney
saw Samuel lying Just inside the door. Hopper ana
Goetchius picked him up and carried him to place OF
safety They then back to look for Van Geder anu
found him lying motOness on the floor. In his banu
was halter Hopper and Goechius carried him to lthe
house. where they found that he was dead There was
uyid scar from the shoulder down the SIDE
and along tho leg, and the lightning had passed out
through the boot, tearing n hole in 1t. In the
meantime the barn. large structure OF two stories Wl
gable roof 80 by so feet in size, was ablazc The
men rushed I'm TO try 10 save the four horses Ihey
only succeeded in saving one. whose stall was nearest
the door One Of the others was valuable stallion
The barn was consumed with granary near by.
large amount hay feed 100 bushels OF corn and the
farm implements were destroyed There was 10 insur-
ance. The carrage-house was saved. SAM the negro'
said he did not remember anything after putting tbe
horse into tie STALL lie had cash on his head, in-
ficted probably striking the doorsih There was no
indication that my Of the horses had been struck by the
lightning Mr. Van Gclder tweny-sx years old and
was son of Abram Van Gelder, OF Ramsey's. lie had
been married about two years.
Barney C. Dcmarest, the farmer OF Pompton FlninS,
~ j., who struck by lightning on Friday afternoon
while driving home from Paterson with his WIFE, reooT-
cred rapidly during the night In the house TO when DO
carried and the discooratiOns on his body grad
ualy faded Yesterday morning he got up ana with
little assistance walked TO q wagon at the door, In which
he was taken home. Mrs. Demarest was more Affected
by tie Lightning than she had noticed in the excitement
OF the moment. There was found hole about two
inches In diameter in her waterproof cloak and the eec
tric fluid had passed through the CLOTH
ing and discOlored the skin Of her
hip. There was also slight discooration the thigh.
on Friday evening the barn ~ James sgnircs ot re
COME L. l., struck by lightning set on nfc ana Win
struck by lightning and badly damaged
OF yesterday afternoon was severe ara
the lightning struck In many places;
Aaron Lowe struck. Mrs. Lowe and her daughter
we're reated IN the kitchen. one was knocked to the
the other was thrown over the back of her ohalr ana
peces The bot tore of much siding ana entering the
chimney passed into the room through tho fireplace IN
its path it met the family cat aud snsed her inr
was burned TO a crisp. complete circuit
OF the room was made. Carpet aud wainscoung were
burned aud blisterc and the electric mud finally cl~
appeared 81 the among the plaster
To-day IL found that the cellar Lad received vist
from The nud and that barrels, boxes and shelves had
been roughly dealt with.
In this place a woman walking IN Park-s was stunned
by lightning aud did not recover for several minutes
NoRwALR, Conn, June Con Thursday evening light
ming struck the house of John Osborne. first
coming in contact with teo near
the front fence. II then eapcd down upon the gate
post. which 10 knocked to pieces. and along the
upper rail OF the fence. gougiug ont bits OF wood u
extended about ten feet aud then followed a Iron brae
into tho ground After touching fo4r lAgs trecs tho
bolt entered the house. Members OF the family ~cTc
seated the front when tall OF nrc seemed TO
explode back OF the mante The wood was torn ana
and the clock aud ornaments went Tying about
fhe room. The shock put the hRht out.
From the mantsl the lightning leaped 10 picture the
wall Kilt moulding formed portion OF the frame, and
the current ran all around IT, leaving backencd and
discoOTed 10 then Jumped To the ceiling and followed
the gilt beading 10 corner OF the room, where II
bored hole through To the post following II 10 tie base
ment aud escaped through the stonework Mr.. OS-
borne stunned, but member OF the family was
seriously Injured.