The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19

The District OF Columbia has its quota
of tragedies perpetrated by that swift
rsmorseless, uncomfortable, and unpunish-
able agent of misunderstanding.
Some of these fatal occurrences possess
features so strange as to appear incredible
10 those who do not realize the verify of
the old saying. Truth is stranger than
fiction"
Startling and pathetic was an incident
that happened near this city on the Both
OF July. 1916, in which Mr.. Boose, his
wife, and an infant child. whom the latter
was nursing, were struck dead in the midst
of the enjoyment Of p ace and felicity. The
circumstances of this case were so re-
markable asto engage attention from the
press all over the country. A le.tsr written
by the late Mr.. J. Goldsborough Bruff, a
member of the Association of Oldest In
habitants of the District of Columbia,
shortly after the occurrence, describes
infinitely the circumstances OF the accl-
dent. This letter reads as follows:
washington, D. C. Aug. 5, 1916.
''The following account and observations
accompanied by a drawing. l have made
from an examination OF the premises
few days after the occurrence, represent
ing the melancholy effects of lightning,
and the imprudence of the unfortunate
persons in placing themselves, during
thunder gust, directly under and near
conducting and attracting points:
The gust occurred on the 30th ultimo;
the meteorological observations, for part
of the day. were as follows: At a. m.
the barometer stood at 29.16 degrees, the
thermometer lin the shade and open air)
at 81 deerees. wind southwest and brisk,
weather partially cloudy; y m. barome-
ter, 29.16 degrees, thermometer Tin the
shade and open air. at Sc degrees. WIND
southwest, moderate, cloudy; p. m, ba-
rometer 29.11 degrees, thermometer Sc
degrees. wind southwest and moderate,
with thunder, lightning, and indications
of rain About 9: 90 p. m, strong breeze,
with thunder, lightning, and rain. The
cloud from whence the lightning chiefly
emanated seemed very low and of that
peculiar hue indicative Of much electrici-
u: il was long and narrow. ranging in
a southwest and northeast direction. over
the northwestern portion Of the city. At
about p. m several vivid flashes were
quickly succeeded by sharp peals of thun-
der-one of these flashes slightly injured
the top OF a brick house in this city. The
house was provided with an electrical con-
ductor.
The premises ! have represented in the
drawing, and the subject Of this account.
are situated about two and a half miles
north Of the Presidents house. upon the
decliyity Of a hill, at the base of which,
from opposite the east end of the house
and about 200 yards from it, runs brook,
called 'Piney Branch. which meanders in
a southerly direction. The house stands
upon a cleared and cultivated space,
hon dp1 he hr- 4aa
aforesaid brook; on the southwest by the
highest grounds in the vicinity-about 300
yards distant and from thence round to
the north, by hills covered with thick
growth of tall trees, principally oaks-of
about the same distance from the house;
on all other sides by hills Of less height
and wales. all thiclkly wooded. but gener-
ally Of a smaller growth. The house is
situated longitudinaliy east and west On
the small farm around the house are few
scattered young fruit trees. with none
other near. except the tai. oak close to
the west end Of the dwelling serving. in
this instance, as the conductor. This tree
appeared to be about forty feet in height,
distant from the house exactly four feet,
and about three feet north of the centre
line Of the building. 1t inclined over the
house about five feet
There lay upon the ground. at the
der the oak) an iron kettle Of about two
feet diameter
In the kitchen room (west end OF the
house, against its west end. stood the
dinner table, covered with knives, forks,
etc, as left after dinner. The table wa
half its length nearer the north than
south corner, and consequently almost op-
posite the body Of the tree. Between the
table and the north corner at the height
Of four and a half feet, hung a bright
hand saw, above which and perpendicular
ly with II WIS q small oak stand its foot
mortised in the upper log OF the wall the
other end supporting the outer roof rafter
tthe house had no ceiling other than that
afforded by the under side of the gable
roof. Nearly under the corresponding
stud Of the opposite side was a cast iron
coffee mill. secured TO the side of a small
cupboard, about four feet above the floor
On the ledge formed by the upper surface
OF the top log OF this end wall (wau PLATED
and against which the studs were stepped
there lay, over the coffee mill, at the foot
of the stud on that side, several old
knives. etc, and between the studs. over
the table, broken gun lock.
Mrs. Boose, with infant in her lap.
sat in a chair at the corner OF the table.
IN front of the saw, and three feet from il;
her husband, the proprietor Of the prem
ises, sat also in a chair on the opposite
side, and reclined his head back against the
corner OF the cupboard few inches below
the coffee mill, and one foot from the wall.
He had been sleeping in the chamber at
the opposite end Of the house. but probably
awakened by the thunder, had got up ard
placed himself in the chair in the kitchen.
as just described about ten minutes pre-
ceding the fatal stroke
"a very youig boy was playing under
the dinner table. one older sat in the cor
ner by cupboard on the south side, and
one still older was in the bed chamber.
eat about 4;15 p. N. the oak was struck
by lightning near the top; the fluid de-
scended to about the height of the horse.
and branched or blfurcated. One portion
passed down the southeast side OF the tree
to within about four feet of the ground
where a small twig seems to have again
divided II, and the bark was stripped of in
two parallel strips of about three fo1rths
Of an inch broad each, and one and cne-
half inches apart down to the ground. The
other main bolt, and doubtless the largest,
perforated the clapboard opposite the tree
at ten feet above ground. leaving burnt
hole Of about one by two inches. It de-
scended the stud behind the lady, splitting
and splinteTing it specifically; split the
saw handle where riveted, killed Mrs
Boose and her infant and left minute
scorched oriice in the floor directly under
her chair. The stud on the opposite side
was completely bursted and shredd TO its
centre. except about two inches Of the up
per end. The principal force Of the fluid
seems to have been exerted at the lower
end OF this stud, where lay the old knives.
splinter was thrown off from the cup
board where the mill was attached. and Mr.
Boose. directly under it. was killed.
THE three boys In the house at the time
were uniniured. but on account of the rain
and terror. they did not venture out till