Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-02-06
LOSSES CAUSED BY LIGHTNING.
Interesting Figures Taken from n Work
Published by the Government.

A little publication has made its APP
pearance from the publishing house of
Uncle Sam. compiled by Alexander
McAdie OF the weather bureau, aud
containing some very interesting facts
regarding lightning and the damages
aud fatalities il causes in this country.
Its primary object, a Y the Washing
ton .NcuS, is TO show the best methods
of protection by lightning rods, but in
cidentally it gives some very unique
figures, and shows that a 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.. Nc
Adie there occurred in 1892 2jl deaths
by lightning, and the year following
there were 209. The statistics do not
20 further back than 1890, but even
this short space of time has demon
strated thai the danger seems to be on
the increase by extending over 4 greater
portion of the year than formerly. La
1890 the months of March, April. May,
June, July and August alone chroni-
cled fatalities. The year following
September was added, and in 1892
every month from April to December
provided q victim TO heavens lire. The
average numbe. of persons killed yearly
by lightning is 1876. BY far the greater
number of fatalities occurred in June.
July and August.
In the eight years ending in 1892
there were 3,516 fires in the United
States due to lightning, causing a total
loss of $l2, 66S. S3j. This Is a rather
startling statement to those who are in
clined to scoff at the danger from thun-
derstorms. Barns. stables and gram
aries apparently had the greatest az
traction for lightning, for during the
nine years ending in 1892 1855 build
ings of that class were struck, as against
664 dwellings aud l04 churches. Flee
trio light stations and telegraph and
telephone Offices see med to have enjoy
ell a comparative immunity from dam
ger from the element with which they
are peryaded. In certain states there
has been a marked increase in the num-
Der of lightning strokes in the last year,
particularly in Connecticut, Maine.
Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan and
New York.
One of the most interesting results OF
the observations that have been made
VI late years regarding lightning and
its freaks is that the geological as well
as the typographical conditions iniu-
a c it. According 10 the statistics a
chalk formation is the least liable TO
damaging lightning. while next in or
der of frequency come mari, clay, sand
and loan. With regard TO trees, the
oak is most frequently and the beech
tho least frequently struck. Neither
does il seem to have been the highest or
most exposed trees that We're struck. al
the bolt hit in the most erratic and un-
expected manner, As regards the SUI
perstitions or beliefs regarding the
safety or danger Of certain localities
when the lightning is on the rampage,
Mr.. Meade states that it is not judi
cious to stand under trees, in the door,
ways Of barns. close TO cattle. or near
chinlneys and f~ireplaces; which Is .
scientific justification of the actions Of
probably live persons out Of six when .
storm Is prevailing.