New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-05-27
1IGHTNINGs FRANKS IN A HOUSE.
SCORES OF ARTICLES DAMAGED. BUT THE
INHABITANTS UNHURT.

lightning played some queer freaks at the farm
house Of Garrett Baird, in Somerset County n. j.,
On Tuesday morning last. The house is In Hills
borough Township some two miles east OF Har-
ungen, the nearest railway station. 1t Is sub
stantial two-story structure. and was occupied by
Bards father before him. The exact time OF the
stroke was 1914 O'Clock; the stopping Of the clock
al that moment shows this. 1t was prankish
bolt; for while 1t did all sorts Of odd things with
the house and its fittings and furnishings It harmed
no
Mrs. Baird was standing on a chair in the dining
room whitewashing the wall at the time. col
ored boy Of twelve was on the covered porch in
the rear Of the house. while Baird and hired
man were in the barn. some two hundred feet
away. The lightning descended first on pine tree
the house. and several feet higher than the
peak OF the roof 1t left the tree after travelling
q short distance leaped over to the gutter OF the
house and tore out the corner post completely
leaving the rooms both floors exposed TO view
Thence II darted in various directions. visiting
every room In the place except that on the ground
floor used by the Bairds for a sleeping apartment
Mortar was torn from the ceilings everywhere and
pictures and ornaments were knocked down.
Mrs Baird was stunned by the experience
but suffered no bodily injury The room
was filed with flames and 1t seemed to her,
with sulphurous fumes. Her first idea was that
ner clothing was on FIRE. but. feeling her dress.
sas found this was not so. She was 50 frightened
mat sne screamed Just then inc odihy Wy
rushed In crying:
on, Mrs. Baird, are you killed7 l am!
But he wasn't He had been on the porch clean
Ing a mahogany stand. The lightning had torn
Il from his grasp and hurled It fifteen feet away.
The top was split but the boy. in spite Of his state
ment 10 the contrary. was not killed He wasn't
even hurt but ne was the worst-scared darky IN
the State
After gay journey through the cellar. and reel
ing that It had had all the fun IT wanted IN the
mousse the bolt skipped over the ground for
visit 10 the barn The word skip" is accurately
oseo, for several holes were made In the me
VI hight pet cat was killed here, put lot OF
s.rkeys near by were not harmed: Inc ngnthlIlg
Struck the barn near the top and shattered several
rafters ~
. When Baird heard his wifes screams he rushed
70 her assistance but found there was nothing 10
oe done for her The house was on IRE N tne
spPer part. however, but after little oelay tho
lanes sne were put out In the dning-room winoow
were knocked down. A framed motto had escaped
me me pious bolt. This read, God Bless Our Home
ttAs ruin Ia the house was picturesque one leg
n Ia; been wrenched from the sewing machine. Inc
eeeYering them had been knocked out The lock
~ ~ Ihls door had been utterly shattered ano Dits
=. - lay all over the hall. A hanging lamp WIS
ssyAen In the kitchen the pump was torn apart
80 me iron sink cracked. The clock was stopped.
~ beyond lis shattered glass. was apparently not
injured In the cellar cans OF preserved yegetables
INC fruits were strewn the floor Emerging
Wiz VIE the lightning tore away brick from the
Large crowds have been visiting the Baird house.
left H. 'N"'