The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-06-18
DESTRUCTION BY LIGHTNING.
Some Interesting Data from the M;
GiOnal WeaIhec Burcau

tionaI Weather Bureau.
| For the past fow years the observers
of the Weather Bureau have been col
lecting statistics regarding the damage
done by lightning to life aud property
in the United States. Their results
show the following casualties and fires
in this country for the year of 1891, as
tabulated by MIR. Alexander McAdie
of Washington, ID. c.:
In January no lives were lost so far
| as known.
persons injured, and $4,000 feet of lum-
ber destroyed.
In March six lives were lost, three
persons injured, and two barns, two
churches and five dwelling houses
struck and damaged.
In April fourteen lives were lost,
fifteen persons injured, one barn and
seven dwelling houses damaged.
In May iifty-hve persons were killed
by lightning and thirty-four severely
injured, twelve houses were set on fire
with loss of not less than $50, 900 +;
thirty-six dwellings, four churches,
two school houses struck, and more or
less damaged: iifty-eight horses and
twenty-five COWS not in stables were
killed.
In June ninety-six persons were
killed and one hundred and two Sc
verely injured, sixty-nine barns were
damaged not less than $4,000; forty
nine horses, thirty. COWS and fifteen
sheep not stabbed were killed eighty
dwellings, twenty-five churches, one
railroad depot, one oil tank, one grain
elevator, six mills and factories were
damaged the loss in the eight last
named being no less than $257 900.
In July sixty lives were lost, and one
hundred and three persons injured !;
forty-siX barns were damaged not less
than $4,000; forty-five dwellings,
twelve churches two academies, three
mills or factories, and two railroad
and thirteen COWS, five mules and six
sheep not stabbed were killed.
In August scventy-eight lives were
lost, and seventy-siX persons injured !:
eighty-one barns were burned with u
loss of not less than $l29, 800; forty one
dwellings were struck, twenty-five
horses and fifteen cows, not stabbed
were killed; five churches, two acade-
mics Zone with loss of $38,000,) two
mills, and one oil tank, (loss $40, ,0OO)
were struck.
In September ninety-nine persons
were killed. and fourteen severely in
JuFeu ulIy-Sl& OdfnS were struck
with loss of not less than Bill 900 :
forty-two dwellings and two churches
were struck, fourteen horses, not
stabbed, were killed.
In October six persons were killed
and two severely injured two harms
valued at $1,000; two dwellings,, two
churches, and several stacks OF grain
were fired
in November one dwelling was
struck, valued at $4,000.
In December one barn in Ohio, two
dwellings Zone in San francisco, Cal.
where damage from lightning is al
most unknown), were struck.
During tho year 336 persons were
killed and 35l severely injured 2GS
barns struck with q damage of $l07,
500; 55 churches were struck, damage
unknown; 26I dwellings and several
oil tanks, factories and elevators, the
damage amounting to not less than
1851 900.
1t may be said in general that the
risk in the country is five times as
great as in the city. With regard to
trees the oak is most frequently and
the beech least frequently struck.