Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1902-07-11
TWO VIOLENT 15EArHs.
The Elements, Lightni@ : and Water
Lay Fatal Hand Urca Two Well.
Known Citizens.

An0Wn Cftizeht.
Tuesday was day os sunshine and
shadows, and shower the latter
breaking the long dry Il, were wei
coined by the people o this section.
At the same time its vivid lightning
brought death to well-kn own citizen
of lrvington, Capt. Ed. D. Valentine. and
while our citizens shran'- st The sudden
stroke and clap it was some hours later
ere they knew that The sorked tongue
had pierced the liie-bll )d Of one of her
people. Capt Valentine was i'm com
mand of the menhaden SAILING crew
aboard Capt. Wash. sclls' puney.
Minerva Miles, and at =, time of the
storm was fishing OFF Tow les Point. in
the Rappahannock river. MIR. Valentine
and young man by the name of sBiddy''
Barrack were sitting in the hawk's-nest
at the top OF the mast and looking out
over the waters beneath a clear sky.
The thunder storm was gathering be-
tween his location and Iryington, but
not a drop of rain fell upon the vessels
flash of lightning, coming from the edge
of the cloud, struck into the kawk's-nest
OF the Miles, and almost instantly killed
the Captain, who had just few moments
before taken the seat of First-mate Rich
ard Hopkins. The doomed man fel,
back, still seated in the nest and being
partially supported by young Barraek
with his left hand, which also had been
scorched and injured by the stroke.
Barrack received no other injury and was
only momentarily stunned Capt. Bus
sells assembled the rigging and dashed n
line about the unfortunate mans body
and lowered him to the deck, where ne
was placed on n mattress and covered
with a sheet. The boatimmediately put
into Carter's Creek and Drs. Newbill and
Irving were summoned, who agreed that
death had taken place some time before.
From marks over the eye and down the
side of the body it appears that the bolt
struck Mr.. Valentine in the head first of
all, ran down his body and along the lib
stay against which he was seated.
through the bee-hole, bursting it and fol-
lowing the stay TO the water. The body
of Mr.. Valentine was conveyed to his
home in this village, and on Wednesday
afternoon it was inferred under the aus
pices of the Odd Fellows and Juniors. to
which orders he belonged
The deceased was about forty-twoy years
OF age and u native of Richmond. Va.
though living here for the past twenty
years. He leaves n worthy widow, who
for some time has been suffering from
partial blindness. No children survive
him. Only three weeks ago the deceased
professed conversion and connected him
self with the Methodist church at this
place. He was man of agile frame and
versatile talents, and, having been prom
met in athletic and theatrical sports in
this section, was pretty widely known.
On the Fourth OF July, while the people
OF this and adjourning counties werc
enjoying themselves at Wharton Grove. a
damper was thrown over the festivities
by news of the drowning OF Guy Adams,
of White Stone. The deceased was nine
teen years OF age, was agent at the new
White Stone wharf on the Rappahannock
and the only support of a widowed
mother and several small brothers and
sisters. lie seems that young Adams had
only recently learned to swim, and SO
elated was he over this achievement that
OF late he was in the water n good part
of the time. On the day of the fatality
he was swimming of White Stone wharf
To his canoe nearby. Twice he swan the
distance, and the third time attempted
it, but just before reaching the canoe he
gave out, and, as is supposed, became
frightened and neryeless, when he sank.
No one was near To assist him. His re-
mains were inferred the following day
Saturday at the White Stone Baptist
church amid sorrowing friends OF his
family and the community Rev. c. r.
James conducted the funeral ceremonies
His sister, Miss Pearl, was in Tappahan-
mock attending the Summer Normal at
the time, but returned home as soon as
possible