The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-08-02
LIGHTNING'S
FATAL FLASH
Patrick Carey, Who Sought Ref.
uee Under Tree, Killed.

Flanders Presbyterian Church De-
stroyed-Other Strange Freaks
of Observation-Disclosures Escape OF
Two Lads.
The thunderstorm of Monday was one
of the most severe ever known in this
neighborhood. The storm on Sunday
night was preceded by thunder and
lightning, the latter being of the most
vivid description. Frequently the entire
hozizon seemed blaze of electricity.
Lightning played many pranks or
Monday afternoon, in addition to killing
Patrick Carey, laborer on the estate
of George g. Frelinghuysen, who had
temporarily taken refuge under large
pine tree, probably 100 feet from Mr..
Frelinghuysen's residence. Carey had
been wedding flower bed, and when
the shower became severe he seated
himself on a wooden settee under the
tree, probably about half past three
o'clock. Lightning struck the tree about
fifteen feet from the ground and against
which he was leaning his head The
bolt passed down the tree, until it
reached Carey's head, when it turned
from the tree altogether, passing
through his body and leaving it where
the feet rested on the ground. doubtless
killing him instantly. Beyond ripping
open the shoe uppers and tearing his hat
to pieces no other marks were left OF the
lightning's awful work. The body was
not found until after dark.
Not coming home to supper Mrs.
Carey made inquiry for her hus-
band who was finally found sitting on
the bench as described, apparently as
leep, but it was the sleep of death.
Coroner Leonard was called, who, af-
ter viewing the body, decided that an
inquest was unnecessary. The funeral
services were held on Wednesday morn
ing from the Church of the Assumption
A wife and an infant child survive.
The lightning also played many Pc
culiar freaks in other parts of the town
and county. A bolt struck the house
of B. W. Wolfe, 81 Pine street doing no
damage beyond ripping up the parlor
carpet. Two lads were playing with a
train of metal cars on the piazza Of
Phillip H. Hotfman's residence, Western
avenue, when a terrific flash was noticed
and the cars seemed ablaze with electri-
city; beyond frightening the boys they
fortunately suffered no injury.
Many trees were struck, limbs torn
off and considerable damage was done
to ferns and palms on lawns.
During Sunday nights storm, light
ming struck the Presbyterian Church of
Flanders, of which the Rev. w. I.
Pannell, formerly of this city was pas
tor, and before the flames could be ex-
tinguished one of the handsomest coun-
ty church edifices in that section OF
Morris County was in ashes.
Elsewhere the storm was more Sc
we're than in this vicinity. In Elizabeth
the spire of the old First Presbyterian
Church, which was demolished by cleo
tricity several years ago was struck
twice but not seriously injured. Other
buildings in that city were also struck.
In Crawford where three little girls.
sisters, had taken refuge in small out
building. a bolt killed one; rendered an
other deaf and Frustrated the third; a
dog, playmate of the children was
also killed Several horses were killed
by stepping on live" wires which
were thrown from their supports on
poles.
During the severe storm three large
trees near the residence of DR.. Flanders,
on Court street, were struck by light
ming.
In other portions of the state the storm
was equally severe but especially SO in
Urion County.
Hardly had the storm of Monday been
dropped as matter of conversation
when early on Wednesday morning the
overca ting of the heavens had threat
ening appearance. A dull copper color,
which became almost black came into
view in the northwest, gradually spread
ing over the sky. Passengers who took
the trains from Morristown escaped the
fury of the cloud burst, for it was moth
ing else. Travellers who boarded the
cars east of Morristown after $40 were
as rule thoroughly drenched. Vivid
lightning played almost continuously
while the roar of thunder completely
drowned the noise made by trains. Ii
became necessary to light the gas in the
cars; while in towns gas and electricity
was necessity in shops, stores and
residences. Streets and cutters were
flooded and in some portions of Newark
and in the Oranges serious damage was
the result of the heavy down-pour.
Sky Trip From Easton.
Teyo aavora,,tc xpho ,,,aIa bnfI-z..