The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-08-02
Lightning Kills ZeIma prennan. !

Miss Zelma brennan, daughter Of MIR.
and Mrs. James brennan, of Fremont
township, was instantly killed by light
ming at p. m. last Monday. Misses
FEMME Foster, Emma Fndlay, Birdie
Scott and Grace Inghram had gone out
from town to spend few days with the
young ladies at the farm during Mrs.
Drennan's absence on visit in Nebras.
ka and all had stood for few minutes
watching the heavy rain approach oyer
the fields. Part then went to the house
and Misses Findlay, Scott aud Zelma
entered the water closet. They were
telling stories of lightning striking that
they had known, when call to them to
come to the house was heard, and, the
rain pouring in torrents, apparently they
hesltated moment, standing near the
open door, Miss brennan being farthest
in and nearest the east side. Then the
lightning came. 1t struck tree close
to the side of the building but on the
opposite side from it, leaped from the
tree into the roof, tearing a small hole
in the boards, ran down its side, then
leaped again striking Zelma in the tenn.
pie, burning her hair slightly, ran down
her neck and across her bosom. The
sound of the thunder and the shock were
| terrific, of course, and the two girls near.
est the door ran toward the house, but
before Miss Findlay reachediit, she says
something told her Heima was not
coming" and she ran back, to see Helma
lying where she had fallen dead, she
discovered with the first glance, She
then ran to the house and could only say
"Zelma," but Mr.. brennan, who knew
from the crash lightning had struck
near, rushed out instantly and carried il
her lifeless body. Every effort wa
made, with all known restoratives, bu
life went out with the touch of the bolt
and no skill could summon 1t back. TIL,
grief and outcry Of the group of youn,
girls can be imagined. Neighbors wer,
promptly at hand and messages wer'
sent to town, where wild rumors wen
about. Neither of the girls with Zelm
were touched by the lightning, bu
Birdie Scott was rendered quite deaf b,
the conclusion, temporary it is believe,
and Emma Findlay's left arm wa
numbed, the shock running up appar
emily from her fingers and coming GU
at her ear, which is still little dea
from it. A more narrow escape tina,
these two girls is seldom known. The,
had each spoken of their fear of the
lightning, but Ielma had declared i
never frightened her. Perhaps Their
was no need it should 1t took he
painlessly, before she ever had know
care or sorrow or anything but happ,
innocent life. She was girl above tn
average in intellect, sweet tempered an,
aftectionate. Her life had been goo,
and brought happiness to others. 1t
swift translation leaves friends and par
ents mourning but no one doubts tina
with her call is WE'LL" She was in he
fifteenth year. The funeral services
were held at the brennan home at 10 a
m. Thursday, and the earthly remain
were inferred in the Qsceola GENE terry
Six young lady friends wess. hon2sar,
pail bearers, Misses Vida GarHtson
Brady belong, Birdie Scott, Grace II
grahm, Emma Findlay and Fannie Fo
ter. Mrs. brennan came Tuesday mor1
ing from Beatrice, Neb., in response I
the summons.-Osceola Democrat
Buy Russ Bleaching Blue at Caster