Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-19
LIGHTNING AND IT'S FREAKS.
Flashes Sometimes More Than Ten
Miles in Length.

During the Middle Ages in Europe
churches were considered as safeguards
against devils, and bells were rUng as an
additional inducement for the evil spirits
to keep away. AS lightning was sup
posed to be IA satanic manifestation, the
bells were rune during severe storms un-
til so many people had Deen killed by the
lightning running down the rope that the
practice was finally abandoned, says the
Washington Star. on one occasion, in
the town of Chabenil, near Nalencc, II
men employed in ringing an enormous bell
We're struck, and seven were instantly
killed
Arago, the philosopher. tells Of the
chief of a band of brigands who, while
awaiting execution IN the courtyard Of
n prison in Bavaria, vas struck AM IN
stantly killed by flash of lightning.
His companions, believing that heaven
had singled out their chief for punish
ment, became so penitent that they We're
finally pardoned A prisoner was killed
in a house in Massachusetts the other
people in the same apartment with him
remaining unframed. Investigation dis
closed the probable cause of his death.
1t was discovered that 4 saw was sus
pended in the attic directly over his
head, while in the cellar crowbar was
set against the wall. The lightning
struck the roof and thus found Il direct
passage through the house.
Flammarion, the French scientist, re-
lates some remarkable Instances of tho
freaks Of lightning. The flashes which
are sometimes more than ten miles in
length, have been known to kill man,
completely consuming his body but leav-
ing him in the exact position which he
occupied in life. He states that in 1873
three soldiers at Vicsur-Aisne, France,
took refuge from a storm beneath a lin
den tree. Some time after the storm had
passed peasants seeing them standing
motionless and not replying to their greet
ing touched them on the shoulder when
the bodies instantly crumbled to fine
ashes. There were no evidences Of in
jury to them. the clothing being intact
and their faces wearing a natural ap-
poarance. A similar occurrence Is said
to have taken place July q, 1891 it's
truthfulness being VouChed for NY Pastor
Butler, who was an eye witness. Ten
harvesters seeing n storm approach
sought refuge under a hedge. During tie
storm bolt of lightning struck and kile
four OF them, who remained as If petr.-
fled. One Of the men was Just putting
a bit of tobacco in his mouth, another
was playing with a little dog, which he
held with one hand while he fed him
with the other After the stroke they
retained these positions, as though they
had suddenly been turned into stone.
NJ. Cardan tells how eight harvesters.
while taking their monday lunch under
a maple tree. We're overt taken by storm
and all killed by a single stroke of light
ming. When their companions approaohe |
them after the storm had passed they
seemed to he still engaged with their re-
past. one was raising glass to drink,
another was taking a piece OF bread. while
third was reaching out his hand toward
n plate
! Many instances are related of narrow
escapes during electric storms. Braceets
have been melted from "A ladV's arm with %