Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-08-04
William Clemens, North of the
City, Sustains ST, 900 Loss
by Fire
BARN AND CONTENTS BURN
Large Horse and Grain Barn, Near BY,
Has a Close Call From Destruction,
But Was Saved-Lightnins Strikes
Lacey Home--TeIephone and Light
Service Interfered With.

| The severe electrical storm at an
early hour this morning, resulted in the
destruction of large barn and it's con-
tents. north of the city, damage to a
residence in town and interference with
telephones and lights in different parts
OF the city. The electrical display was
beautiful and for instants the heavens
would be almost as light as day. The
bolts were followed instantaneously
with sharp thunder and on one or two
occasions the reports We're SO deafening
make Investigations of the premises.
that sleeping residents awakened to
fearing their houses had been struck.
The most serious damage is reported
from the William Clemens farm, five
miles north of the city, where the light
ming struck Mr.. Clemens large hay and
stock barn. The fire that followed de-
stroyed the building and its contents,
leaving nothing but ruins to show
where the structure had stood. The
building was 4ux4S, and contained fif-
teen tons of fine new hay. and farm
machinery, consisting of feeders,
drag, two corn plows. a corn planter
and other smaller pieces of machinery.
The cattle wer. in a lot adjoining the
barn and were uninjured. Another
large barn just west OF the burning
structure four rods, came near going
with the other. The loss would have
been heavier If this building had burn
ed, for 1t was stocked heavily with
grain, and contained several head of
horses and Mr.. Clemens harness and
vehicles. 1t was thought for time the
horse barn would surely be destroyed,
but ii was saved. The boards were SO
badly blistered by the heat that it was
impossible to touch them with the
hand. Mr.. Clemens estimates his loss
sured for about three quarters of the
loss carrying $400 on the barn and
$3.50 on it's contents.
Lacey Home Struck.
The home Oh Mrs. Mary K. Lacey,
300 West Church street was struck
during the storm and somewhat dam
aged. The bolt entered the house thru
the corner of the roof. tearing Off
portion of the tin. Pictures hanging on
the walls were thrown to the floor and
the contents of the house were shaken
up generally. While shocked the oc-
cupants of the, house were not lnJur-
ed. The lightning entered the ground
thru the foundation of the building,
doing some slight damage to the wall.
The total damage will not be great.
Mrs. Minitsr Suffers From Shock.
Mrs. John Miniter. Of GIL South Third
street, is suffering somewhat from the
shock of bolt of lightning that struck
a large tree in the yard of her neigh
Dor, Mrs. NJ p. Collins. at 2: 40 o'clock
Miss Miniter was awakened by the
storm and went to close the windows
when terrific crash seemed TO be
tearing the house to pieces. The large
tree. q poplar. at least fifty years old,
was split to it's base. The neighoorhood
was thoroughly aroused as each one
thought his house had been struck
Telephones turnout the neighborhood
were put out Of business.
Damage to Phones and Lights.
Inquiry at the telephone exchanges
shows that while phones about the [
,ity were damaged to some extent, the |
damage was not so general an might /
have been expected. Trouble was re-
ported from certain quarters early this
but it did not take long to I
make the repairs In some instances +
phones were completely burned out. |
Electric lights also suffered In certain I
parts of the city, but damage in this
inc will not be heavy.