The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-12
STRANGE FREAKS OF LIGHTNING.

William II. Remick, who was one of
Union Rivers heaviest lumber opera
tors a few years ago, and is now a res
ident of Mariaville, witnessed a start
ling natural phenomenon a short time
ago while returning from the head OF
Floods Pond To the settlement. He saw
a thunderstorm gather i'm clear sky,
and watched IL roll on ahead of him
with ever increasing force and destruct-
iveness until IL swept nearly all of
Hancock county and left score of fires
in its wake.
Some OF the freaks of the lightning
were marvellous. At Hanscome's, in
Mariaville, two families occupied the
house. In the front part was an aged
gentleman seated in an armchair read
ing the Bible. A ball of fire rolled laz-
lily into the window, danced along the
window ledge second or two and then
rolled into the old gentlemans lap and
across the open Bible i'm his hands. He
experienced no. shock whatever except
"a binding sensation, but the metal
clasps of the book were melted and ran
10 the flnor,ANhile across the pages of
the book was stamped indelibly a min
iature photograph of large apple tree
that stood in the dooryard close by the
window. Some minutes after IL had
passed the old man made an effort to-
rise, but was firmly held to his chair by
some mysterious force. After an hour
or more OF effort on the part OF MEM
bers OF the household, with liberal
bathing OF vinegar and other remedies,
the chair finally loosened its hold and
he was able TO rise. There was no I'll
effect felt by him.
The ball of fire. after dropping from
the book, had struck thes floor and
bounded TO the ceiling, passing through
the cracks I'm the top Of the partition
into the apartments of the Hanscomes.
where young Mrs. Hanscome was seat
ed with her baby in her arms. IL came
toward her from the ceiling. swaying
bail rocking back and forth. until IL
struck her full in the face and disap-
peared Eight OF Mrs. Hanscomes
front teeth disappeared with IL and
were never found. Her chair was
tipped forward. with her i'm IL. and she
was found unconscious, her head and
feet resting on the floor still retaining
her position i'm the chair. as If IL were
upright, instead OF resting upon her.
The baby was Clasped closely to her
bosom. uninjured. and Growing, as IL
greatly delighted by the event. IL was
several hours before Mrs. Hanscome's
arms could be- made To unfold and re-
lease the baby and before the chair
could be removed from her. When she
recovered consciousness she vomited a
large quantity of black matter. like
charcoal which gave out "A strong odor
of sulphur and ~ was long time be-
fore she fully recovered from the shock.
on the wall where the electric mass
passed from one apartment To the other
were streaks OF sooty blackness, as N
blown through by a stronge blast. The
marks could not be washed OF. and still
Through 1hn-cnaI- -nf-AA h4taFvaah
put ON to cover IL.
one OF the strnngest freaks was the
striking Of hennery ana the killing OF
several hens. Some of the hens rested
on the roosts. as N asleep others were
standing upon the ground I'm an attl-
tude OF listening Previous TO this
hen was supposed to be- lightning proof.
her feathers forming tho protective ar
mour.--Lewiston Journal.