The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-17
LIGHTNING sTRokE sTArrsTICs.
Hesuf az Inquiries Recently Instf-
futed by the Weather Bureau.

washington News.
1t Is not often that popular superstitions
are lndorsed by the results OF investigation.
Science has been busy among the cherished
DeieIs regarding everyday phenomena OF
late years, and one by one they have been
demolished and the list OF vulgar errors
grows smaller. An exception 10 this. how
ever. Is a little publication that has made
- aPPeaT1hce from the publishing house
Adie, OF the Weather Bureau, and contains
ing some very interesting facts regarding
il causes in this country. It's primary object
Is 10 show the best method OF protection
from lightning rods. but incidentally Il gives
some very unique figures, and shows that
a few. at least, OF the beliefs that are COM
mon to every class are well founded.
The number OF death-dealing lightnine
bolts that find victims in this country year
~ is greater than is probably generally be-
heved; According 20 figures given by Mr..
Meade, there occurred In 1872 2l deaths
by lightning, and in the year following
there were 2Q9- The statistics do not go fur
TIER back than 1850; but even this short
danger seems to be on the increase by ex-
tsnding over a greater portion OF the year
April. May, June, July and August alone
chronicled fatalities. The year following
September was added, and in 1892 every
month from April 10 December provided a
victim TO heavens fire. The average num-
Der OF persons killed by lightning Is 1856.
"A glance at the table shows that by far
the greater number OF fatalities occurred
in June. July and August In the eight
years ending In 1892 there were 2.5l6 fires
in the United States due TO lightning. caus-
ing a total loss OF SIP, Cos, SIS. This is a
rather startling statement 10 those who
are inclined 10 scott at the danger from
thunder storms. Barns. stables and gram
aries apparently had the greatest attrac-
ton Tor lightning, for during the nine years
ending In 1892 2.SS5 buildings of that class
were struck, as against ga dwellings and
14 churches. Electric light stations and
telegraph and telephone offices seemed To
have enjoyed a comparative Immunity from
danger from the element with which they
are pervaded.
In certain States there has been a marked
increase in the number OF lightning strokes
In the last year, particularly In Connecti-
cut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mich
tgan and New York. One OF the most in
teresting results of the observations that
have been made Of late years regarding
lightning and its freaks is that the geolog-
influence IL. According TO the statistics. a
chalk formation is the least liable 10 DAM
aging lightning, while next in order OF fire.
quency come mari, clay, sand and loan.
With regard to trees, the oak Il most fire.
Quently and the beech the least frequently
struck. Neither does IL seem 10 have been
the highest or most exposed trees that were
struck, as the bolt hit in the most erratic
and unexpected manner. AS regards the
superstitions or beliefs regarding the safety
or danger OF certain localities when the
lightning Is on the rampage, Mr.. Meade
states that IL is not judicfous TO stand
under trees, In the doorways OF barns, close
10 cattle or near chimneys and freplaces.
which Is a scientific justification OF the ac-
tons OF probably five persons out OF six
Wnen a storm is prevailing.