Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-08-07
WORK OF DE-
STRUCTION
Correspondence Boise City Statesman

correspondence Boise City Statesman.
Yesterday, the 31st ult., one of the
most terrific thunder storms known to
the inhabitants of this locality, visit
ed our town, lasting half an hour,
showing its power and devastating re-
suits in many directions, the most not
ed being the fine and cosy residence
of our friend and townsman, w. A.
Coughanour, which was completely
destroyed. Mr.. Coughanour and
family, with the exception of Miss
Emma, were in the house at the time
the lightning struck it; also Miss Sa-
die Hurd, who has been in their en-
ploy for some time. With the ex-
ception of Mr.. Coughanour, the rest
had retired to another room in order
to be less exposed to the lightning.
Mr.. Coughanour remained in the sit
ting room reading the Statesman
(which fact he says he will either have
to attribute to the editor or paper, of
preventing his being completely
stunned) when terrific crash came,
causing him to start and look about,
to see where the bolt hit, which re-
suited In the discovery that the house
was in blaze at opposite corners,
near the roof, also one corner near the
ground. As the wind was blowing
Very hard, he lost no time in getting
the family out, and then proceeded to
save what articles he could. In a
few minutes the citizens, who had
heard the alarm, rushed to the scene
and rendered what assistance they
could during the short time they had
to work, and succeeded in getting
out some of the furniture, books,
pictures, cabinet, and few other ar
ticles. All of the family's clothing
was destroyed except what they were
wearing at.the time. Miss Hurd lost
nearly all of her clothing and some
money. This fact being known, it
was not long before purse of fifty
dollars was raised and presented to
her, which was received with due ap-
probation and hearty thanks.
AT a low estimate, Mr.. Cougha-
nour's loss will not be less than ST.
500, there being no insurance what
ever. During the fire Mr.. Cougha-
nour went into the kitchen, which at
the time was partly filed with flames
and smoke, to procure some articles,
but was met with a dense roll of
smoke that filled his lungs; however,
having presence of mind sufficient he
held his breath and rushed for the
door, or where he supposed it was,
but didn't find it, as the draught had
caused it to shut. He then groped
along the wall, when his hand came
In contact with his razor strop, which
he knew was five feet to the left of
the door, which he reached and open
ed not an instant too soon, as he was
nearly ready to fall from suffocation.
From the time the building was
struck until it fell in did not exceed
twenty minutes.
The other places that were visited
by the electric fluid were as follows:
First, the school house had the cor
nice on one gable torn off, the bolt
entering the room and doing more or
less damage. Next was the house of
Mr.. Pence, the lightning passing
down the pump that was in the kltch-
en- by the window, causing no serious
damage only general shaking up.
Mrs. Chandler, who lives but
short distance from MIR. Coughanour's
house, was knocked down by the
shock of one of the strokes, and part
ly paralyzed for awhile. At Washoe
the mill of Rossi & Co. was struck
and set on fire, but the flames were
promptly subdued by the aid of those
present. Between Washoe and this
place several telegraph poles were
struck, which stopped the working of
the telephone between the two places.
w. E.
PAYETTE, August l, 1888.