Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-06-29

21-The great Ringing Bros. show was
struck by lightning this morning, kill
ing James 0Iendenning, Clark Mapes,
Eugene Re, nolds, Alex 0. Deans,
Charles Smllh and a sou Of Curtis Al
drich. Forty people We're injured and
many may prove fatal.
The storm came in all its fury and
binding flashes of lightning were fol-
lowed by perfect cannonade OF thun-
der, while the very earth was deluged
with water.
Three distinct thunderboltS struck
the menagerie in a flash, SpGnterlng
the giant center pole and pillnS the
dead and injured in perfect windows.
The storm was at its height when
a groom rushed to A. L. Ringling cry
ing forty horses down. but the
loss of the horses compared with that
Of humanity was nothing to the brave
Snowman. .}'
The great white chariots which but
few hours before were the pride OF
the parade, were now transformed into
funeral cars Transporting the dead to
the morgue and the injured to the city
hall. The roar of thunder, the flash of
lightning and the shrieks Of the wild
beasts added to the horror and caused
pandemOnium to reign.
One of the elephants was stricken
down, but afterward revived.
AS the funeral carriage wendell its
way to the city hall, bearing the dead
and wounded, thousands of people and
many heart-broken relatives followed in
the midst of the worst rain storm ever
known in this county.
1t was aD awful scene and resemDled
the darkest days of the war and was
almost reproduction Of the great con-
fiagration of ancient Rome and was a
spectacle APPALLING in grandeur.
This beautiful little city but Il few
hours ago ID it's holiday garb where
only joy and mirth held sway is now
clothed in mourning.
The strong hearted ShOwmen wept
over the awful fate of their guests
and even the hearty canvass men were
full of pity for the fate of the blackened
and burned faces of the dead.
A little boy who was leading his blind
father and who was his only compan-
ion was not spared and was laid low
by the death dealing blow of heavens
artillery.
Mrs. Glendenning, wife OF James
Glendenning. and Mrs. Deans are re-
ported dying.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
River Falls, Wis, June PA terrific
thunder storm ragged here this after
NOM. Just as Ringing Brothers Cir
Gus finished its performance and the
people were passing out terrific bolt
of lightning struck one of the center
poles of the tent and more than fifty
people were Frustrated.
Seven were killed instantly, many
more were injured and the balance are
now regaining the use of their limbs
which were temporarily paralized by
the shock.
The scene Of CONSERVATION which fol,
lowed the bolt surpasses description
and a serious panic was narrowly avert
ed.
AS soon as order was restored the IN
conscious and wounded We're taken care
Of and four full grown men and three
boys, all dead, were removed.
The killed.
CLARK MAPES.
EUGENE REYNOLDS.
T. A. GLENDENNING, town clerk.
o. K. GROVE and son.
0. A. DEANS.
o. P. VIRGINS.
CURT ALDRIDGES.
WALLACE SMITH.
Mrs. Glendenning and a son were
seriously injured.
Patrick Collins was seriously injrued
and two strangers were also badly in
ljured.
Lewis Ross extremities were para
lyzed but he is not fatally injured.
Another badly injured young man is
William B. l.. Horne.
A fire started but was soon extin-
guished.
Forty-one horses and one elephant
were knocked down.