The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1894-06-09
LossEscAUsED BY LIGHTNING

some Interesting. Figures Takcn
From n Work Published by the
Government.
Science has been busy among the
cherished bnliefs regarding everyday
phenomena Of late years and II by
n they have been demolished and II
list of vulgar errors grows smaller. An
exception to this, says the Washington
News. is a little publication that has
made its appearance from the publish
ing house of Uncle Sam. compiled 10y
Alexander McAlie. Of the weather
bureau. and containing some very i'll
%tercsting facts regarding lightning Ant
the dargcrs and fatalities it causes in
this country. Its primary objects is to
show tho best methods Of protection
by lightning rods. but incidentally It
gives some very unique figures. and
shows that Il few at least of ne beliefs
that are ommon to every class are we'll
founded. The number of death-denlinS
lightning bolts that find victims in this
country yearly is greater than is prob
ably believed. According to the figures
given by Mr.. McAdie there occurred in
1882 251 deaths by lightning, ana in
the year following there were 2W9. The
statistics uo not go further back than
1890. but ever this short space of time
has demonstrated that the danger
seems to be on the increase by eXtcnd-
irg over a greater portion of the year
than formerly. In 1S!m the months of
March, April. May. June, July and
August alone chroniclsd fatalities. The
year folio wing September was added,
and in 1892 every month from April to
December provided Il victim to llelv-
ems fire. The average number Of per-
s,ls killed yearly by lightning is 19G.
A glance at the table shows that 10y
far the greater Eumbcr of fatalities oc-
cured in June, July and August.
In the eight years ending in 1882
States due to lightning. causing IL tntnl
loss of $40 ,G633.S35 This is a rather
startling statement to those who are i'll
clined to scott at the danger from thuD-
der storms. Barns. stables and grain
aries apparently had the greatest at
traction for lightning, for during nine
years ending in 1892 1885 buildings
of that class "a struck. as against Gt4
dwellings and 1O4 churches. Electric
light stations and telegraph and telc-
phone offices seems 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 during the past
year, particularly in Connecticut,
Maine. Maryland, Massachusetts, Mich
igan and New York.
One Of the most interesting results
of the observations that have been
made Of late years regarding lightning
and it's freaks is that the geological as
we'll as the Geographical conditions in
fuence it. According to the statistics
a chalk formation is the least liable to
damaging lightning. while next in order
of frequency comes mari. clay, sand
and loan. With regard to trees the oak
is most frequently and the beech the
least frequently struck. Neither does it
seem to have been the highest or most
exposed trees that were struck, as the
bolt hit in the most cratic and unex-
pccted manner AS regards the SUPER
stitions Or beliefs regarding the safety
or danger of certain localities when
the lightning is on the rampage. Mr..
McAdie states that it is not judicious
to stand under trees. in the doorway
of barns. close to cattle or near chin
neys and fire places. which is a scien-
tific justification of the actions Of prob
ably five persons out of six when a
storm is prevailing.