The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-06-08
LOSSES CAUSED BY LIGHTNING.

cherished beliefs regarding everyday
phenomena Of late years, and one by
one they have been demolished and the
list of vulgar errors grows smaller. An
exception to this, says the Washington
News, is little publication that has
made its appearance from the publish
ing house of Uncle Sam, compiled by
Alexander McAdie, of the weather
bureau. and containing some very in-
teresting facts regarding lightning
and the damages and fatalities il
causes in this country. Its primary
object is to show the best methods Of
protection by lightning rods, but Incl
dentally it gives some very unique fig.
ures. and shows that few at least Of
the beliefs that are common to every
class are well founded. The number
of death-dealing lightning bolts that
find victims in this country yearly is
greater than is probably generally
. believed. According to figures given
by Mr.. McAdie there occurred in 1894
251 deaths by lightning, and in the
year following there were zoe. The
statistics do not go further back than
1890, but even this short space of time
has demonstrated that the danger
seems to be on the increase by extend
ing over q greater portion of the year
than formerly. In 1890 the months of
March, April, May, June, July and Au-
gust alone chronicled fatalities. The
year following September was added.
and in 1892 every month from April
to December provided q victim to
heavens FIRE. The average number Of
persons killed yearly by lightning is
1876. 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 S.516 fires in the United
States due to lightning, causing to-
tai loss of S12.66s,s S5. This is rather
startling statement to those who are
inclined to scott at the danger from
thunderstorms. Barns, stables and
granaries apparently had the greatest
attraction for lightning, for during the
nine years ending In 1892 1855 build
ings of that class were struck, "a
against 684 dwellings and 104 churches.
Electric light stations and telegraph
and telephone offices seemed to have
enjoyed a comparative immunity from
danger from the element with which
they arc pervaded. In certain states
there has been . marked increase in
the number of lightning strokes in the
past year, particularly in Connecticut,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,, Mich
igan and New York
One of the most interesting results 81
the observations that have been made
of late years regarding Lightning and
its freaks is that the geological as well
as the typographical conditions inhu-
ence it. According to the statistics .
chalk formation IS the least liable TO
damaging lightning. while next in or
der of frequency come mari, clay. sand
end loe1n. With regard to trees tho
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
unexpected manner. As regards the
superstitions or beliefs regarding the
safety or danger OF certain localities
when the lightning Is on the RAMPAGE
Mr.. McA6iie states that IL IS not Judi
cious TO stand under trees, in the door
way of barns. close 70 cattle or near
shirnDeys and freplsces- which Is
scientific justification of the actions Of
probably Eve persons out Of AK when
storm Is prevailing.