Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1895-09-12
RAVAGES OF A STORM.
DEATH AND FIRE CAUSED BY THE
LIGHTNING FLASHES.
An Electrical Storm of Unexceptional
Severity Passed Over Town On Monday
Evening-Thos. Waters Killed at High
land and Berner's store Set on Fire.


Evening-Thos. Waters Killed at High
land and Berner's Store Set on Fire.
AT $50 o'clock on Friday evening
Freeland and vicinity received Il visit
from the most severe electrical storm
that has struck town in many year.
The lightning flashes were sharp and
binding, and the thunder crashed al
most incessantly for half an hour. 1t
then abatcd somewhat, but continued
at intervals until after l. o'clock. While
the storm was Mt its height the residence
of William Higgins, at Ridge and Main
streets, was struck by lightning. The
bolt hit the house on the edge of the
roof, but fortunately little of its effect
was felt by the residents, who were only
slightly shocked. The shingles, weather
boards and spouting were stripped of
and about $50 worth of damage resulted.
About the same time time the light
ming was causing much trouble in the
power house of the Electric Light Com
? pany. Tho incandescont circuit was de-
ranged, and stores and residences on
that system were plunged in darkness.
The two arc circuits were severely Grip
pied, and the lamps gave but flicker
ing light. There was little light in town
when the fire bell rang, but by an extra
effort to set things right the company's
employees got the light going again.
Traffic on the Frecland branch of the
electric road had to be suspended until
thn stnrn,fc Fnrsn ,roc Spnnt
FIERCE FIRE sUBDUED.
The character of the storm led many
to believe that fire would occur some
where in town before the disturbed ele
ments were Gained, and when the gong
struck at 1920 o'clock it was no great
surprise. The fire had been discovered
in j. c. Berncr's store at Washington
and South streets, and had good start
when noticed. When the fire company
arrived the flames were blazing furiously
about the elevator shaft, near the South
street entrance of the store, and for
awhile it had every appearance of IL dis
AaStrous contagration. The doors were
then closed to prevent Il draught from
entering until the water was turned on.
At the time the town was in total
darkness, and this, with the misapplied
energy of well-intentioncd outsiders, de-
layed the lircmen longer than is usually
the case The loss of Il set of tools for
the plugs in running to the fire also
hampered them. The water, however,
was finally turned on, and the heavy
streams soon put an end to the flames.
A large amount of stock was damaged
by the fire and water, and the1loss is es
timatcd at from $500 to 81 900. Mr..
Berncr had the stock partially insured.
TIE ORIGIN A MYSTERY.
The origin of the fire is somewhat of IA
mystery. That it was caused by the
lightning in some manner is conceded,
aStherc was no fire or combustible goods
in the building. The store is fitted
throughout with electric lights and it is
alleged that the lightning, when coming
Ain over the wires, met with some part
that was imperfectly insulated and ig-
nitcd the woodwork.
The incandescont circuit was not
working at the time, having been dis
abled half an hour before, and the cleo
tricians claim the lightning must have
entered in some manner other than over
the light wires. In the absence of an
official investigation the cause will not
probably be ascertaincd.
AN OLD MAN KILLED.
At Highland the storm was also felt
severely, and one life was taken in that
town by the lightning. Thomas Waters,
aged about 60 years, was sitting with
his family in the front room of their
dwelling. He had placed his chair a
short distance from an open window,
and was sitting with his head tilted back
against the wall. One flash more blind
ing than-the others was noticed by the
occupants of the room. None of them
felt shock of any kind, but the old
man was seen to sit perfectly still and
quiet, with his eyes closed.
Failing to reply when spoken to, one
of the family touched Mr.. Waters and
~$as Mortified to find corpse in the
chair. Death had been instantaneous,
and claimed its victim before he had
time to utter cry or speak word. An
examination of the body revealed II
small burned spot at the base of the
head, where he had been resting against
the wall of the building.
The building outside had been struck
and slightly damaged. The current had
passed down the side near the place
where Mr.. Waters was sitting, and came
though the wall and entered his body
without the slightest noise.