The Washington times., 1903-07-13
TEN ARE STUNNED, BUT
WILL PROBABLY RECOVER
Policeman Brannigan Twice
Struck in Brave Fight to
Aid Others-Many Farms
Near Washington Suffer
Damages.


bathing beach at noon yesterday and
moved down crowd OF pleasure-seek-
ers who had taken refuge from the
storm in the entrance of the building
The injured were all taken to the
Emergency Hospital. They were:
Richard B. Smith. a machinist at the
navy yard. residing at 61S South Caro-
lima avenue; killed instantly.
Charles Slaughter, negro, twenty
years old, residing at 43 Defrees Street
northwest; seriously shocked and
burned.
William Lines. th;rry-seven years
old, foreman employed by the Dis
trict. residing at III Second Street
northwest: will probably recover.
The condition of the following is not
serious:
old. residing at 232h Thirteen-an
Half Street southwest.
Duncan Thompson, thirteen years
old, residing at 22Slk Thirteen-and-a-
Half Street southwest.
Frank Lombardy, seventeen years
old, residing at 400 First Street north
west
Edward Keen. eighteen years old, re-
siding at 204 Indiana Avenue northwest.
George B. Eshleman, twenty-five
years old. residing at 4T4 Massachusetts
Avenue northwest.
F. F. Sheckles, twenty-five years old.
residing at 1900 Tenth Street northwest
George Washington. a thirteen-year-
old negro boy. residing at 444 PIater's
Alley.
Policeman Brannigan Badly Hurt
In addition to these casualties Police
man c. H. Bannigan, of the Fourth pre-
cinet, was twice stunned by lightning
while Fastening to the hospital for as
sistance. He arrived there bruised,
bleeding. and dazed, and his condition.
for a while, seemed critical. but the ply
sicians believe he will recover.
A number Of other casualties also re-
suited from the storm Several persons
were stunned. but none OF them, how
ever, seriously injured. Many buildings
were struck by lightning and trees up
rooted by the storm.
All morning long the beach had been
thronged with bathers and a fairly large
crowd was still in the water when the
first storm came up. AS the skies quickly
became overcast with threatening clouds
the swimmers made their way 10 land
So suddenly did the storm break that a
number Of persons were caught in the
basin. The wind and waves soon cap
sized two boats and the occupants were
thrown out but finally reached shore In
safety.
In the meantime. the other bathers
had reached the boathouse. and were
assembled in the door. watching the
struggles Of the capsized party to battle
with the currents
Felled by the Lightning.
II was then that a bolt of lightning
struck fagpole. tore its way down
over the roof and descended upon the
small knot OF persons.
The entire party was thrown to the
ground In a heap. stunned and shocked.
For a moment all lay as though dead.
Having sought safety farther back in
the building, young Thompson was the
only one to escape the full forcee OF the
shock Although slightly stunned. he
was not knocked senseless, and was able
70 summon help. He ran quickly to q
refreshment stand nearby and breath
lessly impaired the news to Policeman
Bennigan, detailed at the beach
After taking a hasty glance at the
prOstrate group Bannigan started TO- the
Emergency Hospital. He quickly made
his way TO the United States Fish Com
mission Building, and asked permission
to use the telephone. but the watchman
declined TO allow this on account Of the
lightning.
Brannigan's Heroism.
Hardly had Brannigan continued his
run for help when he was felled to the
ground by bolt OF lightning He was
not stunned. however. and regained his
feet In minute. short distance far
ther on he was again struck, but the
shock failed TO halt him. He reached
the hospital haIf-uneonscious and with
his clothing partly stripped from him by
the electric fluid.
Before the ambulance arrived several
Of the lightning's victims had recovered
consciousness. The scene that greeted
them was horrifying. Bleeding from the
mouth and nose, Lines was crawling
about the floor. while Slaughter was
lying senseless with his clothing on fire
which. however, was quickly extin-
guished. The others were perfectly still
An examination showed that Smith was
dead
The injured were removed to the hos
pital in an ambulance and in an ex-
press wagon that reached the scene at
the same time. The medical attendance
was furnished by Drs. John Dunn. W. Il
Perkins. and John p. Hussey. the resi-
dent physicians. None of the patients
was found to have been seriously hurt
save Lines and Slaughter.