The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-07-17

KILLED by LIGHTNING.
While Loading Iiny on the Farm of
James Edwards. George w. Rumsey
Is Almost Instantly Killed. .

while Loading IIny on the Farm of
James Edwards. George W. Rum.ey
Is Almost Instantly Killed.
The vivid lightning flash which pre-.
coded the deafening thunder clap
about 2 80 o'clock yesterday afternoon
brought almost instant death to Geo.
W. Rumsey, q coloreI farm hand on
the farm OF Joseph Tatnall near Farm
hurst and tenanted by james Edward.
The same flash killed two horses which
were attached to the wagon on which
Rumeey was working and set fire to
the hay and vehicle destroying them
both.
When tho storm came up Mr.. Ed.
wards Sc t Rumsay, his son and
another hnnd into The field to bring In
the hayI Mr.. Rumsey was on the
. load. while his son AMI the other man
were throwing the hay up to him.
They were hurrying with their task
when the flash came and the elder
Rumsey toll to tho ground. Tie Lott
struck him ON tha left side of the
neck and when he fell to the ground
he never moved.
The boy also received shock but
was on his feet again and to his father
assistance. The wagon and its load
was ablnze in less than u minute, as IL
there was some highly milan mable
fluid present. As the body was lying
near the burning wagon 1t was TO,
moved. but life was extinct The bolt
had passed through his body aud
burned the shoe from his eight foot.
Deputy Coroner Palmer was notified
and brought his body to this city. In
stead OF holding an inquest a certiii.
cate OF death from llghthing bolt was
given. Tho dead man was al out ii
years OF age.
THE FRIENDS SOHO Il STRUCK
. The same bolt struck the tall chin,
noy on the north end Of the Frien Dis
School building at Fourth and West
Streets, SCATTERING it and scattering
the bricks over the roof. damaging 1t
and throwing others into tho street
below. The holt struck the top OF the
chimney and went down the side.
George Shocaley, tho ianitor. was In
the Building sitting In the hallway ut
the time, but he was not shocked.
There were also several children look.
Ing out OF the windo VS. and they nlsC
escaped injury. The interior OF the
school was not damaged Tut hn Dol;
was SO strong that residents adjoining
the building were Jared by the shock
TELEPHONES WE'RE sRUr,Fs
As soon as the electricity filled tht
air all the telephones were put Out
OF service. Ibis ID tlID case during 1
tLuhder storm for II tho wires wers
lett open 1t would Le exceelingly
dangerous to work on them. Aluny
com paints were heard during the al
ternoon against the company because
the Subscribers could not get their d..
sired numbers. but when they learned
oil the above fact they kuew that the
service was as perfect u, ever.
Tx lightning would have played
hayor with tie dynulnos OF tho vii
mn.t rs City Railway Co. had mo-
the 'Dieukels' been In service. In,
fret shock crippled tnen hut they
were repaired. A second shock tried
TO enter but the Dig arrestrr took The
current and ran 1t Into the ground.
At Chester the liRhrhlng struck st
Dhniers 4. NJ. L. Chu Ch yesterday
afternoon, and oompletely destroye,
the roof The iirs which started wal
put out by tho downpour OF rain wheel
followed. At the time the church wal
struck there was n large number c
the members on their way to thu
church to take refuge from the atorn
that was arising They had left
grove near by where camp meetin!
was In progress. TIE ligh thing ais,
struck Shaw X Esrey Company's No.
mill and the Farson keirigeratu
works.
A bolt shot through the Chester Hos
Dital and stunned patient who Aa,
AaQ nn arm nmputnted.