The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-06
VERY PERSIsTENT LIGHTNING.
An Indian whom IL Pursued Even After He
Was Dead and Buried.

Was Dead and buried.
DENVER, Feb. IA party Of commercial men
werc lounging in easy chairs in the rotunda of
the Brown Palace Hotel one evening after the
theatre, smoking their last cigars before they
retired. The conversation turned to electric
ity, and thence to freaks Of lightning. The man
from Arizona. who is an officer in n copper
company, said something about lightning rods.
That reminds me of an actual happening
in Dakota" said a retired army officer.
About eight miles east of Fort Randall, on
the upper Missouri River, is situated Andy's
Lake, a sheet of water which, in 1870. covered
an area of about 100 acres. 1t was the resort
of great t1ocks of wild geese and ducks, afford
ing Mt certain seasons a considerable food sup
ply for the Yankton Sioux Indians and an occa-
sional days sport for the officers and enlisted
men of the fort. This lake and it's neigborhood
was a favoritc breeding place for tornadoes.
May. 1871, was u busy time at Fort Randall.
The old log buildings were being torn down
and replaced by handsome frame ones. Every
body was busy, including tho commandant,
who was Lieutcnant.C Colonel Of the regiment.
but was dubbed Corporal Ted by the boys on
account of his always being on hand with the
fatigue party. The only times for recreation
were nights and Sundays, excepting the day of
coming Off guard. Some time about the middle
of May. 1871, I was one of the old guard that
determined to have a days shooting at the LAKE.
and / got q twelve hours pass.
1T was late when we got on the ground and
we found the birds restless and wild. We at
tributed their uneasiness to the presence, of n
party of White swan Indians. so our maledic-
and long. The Indians had secured moe game
than they could conveniently carry home and
maRnaniinopsly supplied us with sufficient 70
return to tho post, We were well supplied with
luncheon, and soldiers and Indians sat down to
tent on putting bread and besf beyond the
reach OF flies, we gave no thoaght to atmos.
lightning and simultaneous clap OF thunder.
Looking up, we found we were sitting almost
ing tony companions tofollow, l rushed of at
a right angle to the course had seen the
Fear lent, wings TO our weary feet. We were
comparatively safe ere the nozzle struck. 1t
breath and our senses. Counting heads we found
one, Indian missing. We found HIS lifeless body
%a short ssca distance aSe from Of our rh lunch ground tarn He
One OF tho Indians started S,r Viii swan mt to
others remained with us, and all hands man.
aged to, get the repains 70 within about three
We were on the edge Of a deep ravine,
thickly timbered. The relatives decided that,
as ssn a bHrlal place. la IA, # v as both both appropriate e, and md
ing on the boughr. II a COTTONWOOD.
llopes near the had of the ravine, which at:
forded q resting place to all that was mortal of
and sought. Gelter in the underbrush about
b loo yards CON the tree among the , shelteF ring
i RraaSGss = clay " Mas elo Gss's snd s sharp Sq shS wa nHe
fell in sh A,ts, and l was d~renched to the skin
ss Inid was correspondingly miserable. With a
wood L.1lintcrs and leaves, the lightning went
for TIC body Of my Indian friend. and It was
way 20 the garrison I notified the relatives Of
inc dead man Of the prodicamGnt In which
wa bad, very bad they said, and they eon'
Sluded to, put him under ground this time.
conditions in tho garrison were favorable TO
four hours. i crossed the river. secured it.. and
returned to assist at the second burial OF the
w made an early start. 1t did not take
and deep 10 put the body beyond the reach OF
the coyotes. We then adjourned 10 the lake
formed in some hiils northeast OF the fatal "a.
vine. We were off the storm centre "a couple
Of miles, and got only a Sigh, sprinklins, On
A bolt had struck the grave and left y hole ns
tied it. The Indians started for camp. and not
one OF the band could be induced TO 30 within
tho unbottiedi Current had about expended its
o May 81 OF the following year, 1872, in
hsS 80 sF
company. / sold somc OF the ~conpany's saw
ings to, The Indian trader, Charley Gage, at
White swan. The sale consisted Of n barrel of
mess pork and a couple Of keys of vinegar. |
had just landed from the ferIyboat and placed
the barrel and kegs on the river hank when a
hailstorm broke loose. At first IL threatened
nothing more than "a shower, which would
clear off In half an hour at the most. Going to
the store. | collected the price of my goods, in
tending 70 return to the post immediately.
The shower was but the forerunner OF u tornado
and water spout. In, u few minutes the ground
WAS covered TO a depth of four inches with hail
stones. every one OF which was as large as a
hens egg.
THE earth seemed enyeloped In a food Of
electricity. Thunder rolled and crashed in
cessantly. A cloudburst near the head of the
ravine 10 the keeping OF which had been con-
signed tho remains of our much-buried red
brother flooded the bottom lands with water
to the depth OF from two 10 six feet, the main
current pusaing at the end o. the store build.
ing ON its way to the river below.
The Indians in the neighbOrhood rushed
into the store. Such "a commotiOn in aerial
elements was new to them. The Great Spirit
must be very angry and was about 10 wind up
things earthly they said. Suddenly the fury