Evening journal., 1904-06-17
LIGHTNING
PLAYED FRANKS
Balls of Fire Flying Around
Court Room Made Judges
Uncomfortable
TELEPHONES WERE DAMAGED
John H. Hooten, Railroad switehman,
Was Hit by Lightning as He Took up
Telephone Receiver and Was seri-
ousIy Injured.


Telephone Receiver and Was seri-
ousIy Injured.
The electrical storm which struck this
city about $3.50 o'clock yesterday after
noon did considerable damage to the
telephone systems and other electrical
apparatus in a number OF buildings
The storm was accompanied by prob
ably the heaviest downfall Of rain of
the season and II was just at time
when a large number of people were
on the streets, many Of whom got
drenched.
Small Panic at Court House.
The lightning played pranks in the
various offices of the county court
house and in the court room cavorted
about in a manner which made it very
uncomfortable for the judges, members
of the bar and others who were in the
room. For a few minutes balls of fire
and sparks were flying around the room
and a small sized panic followed and
even the judges jumped from their
chairs.
Pyroteehnio Display.
The case of Walker and Shuster VS..
the p, b. & w. Railroad Company
was on, and William S. Hilles was put
ting a witness through a direct exam
ination, when. without warning a loud
report was heard and those in the court
room were treated to a pyrotechnic dis
play that would rival a Fourth of July
celebration. 1t was caused by the light
ming striking the large cluster Of in
candescent lights which hang imme-
.IfraIf hon alN4
and which contains about thirty lamps.
The lightning hit the cluster at point
near the ceiling and ran down the brass
feed pipe to the lights. As it reached
that point three balls of fire were seen,
one of which dropped upon Prothono-
tary Frank L. Speakman, who was sit
ting directly underneath the lights,
but did not injure him.
Sparks Flew in All Directions.
From each of the thirty electric
lights showers of sparks were emitted.
Immediately there was an involuntary
scamper TO get out OF range of the
lights and even Chief Justice Lore and
Judges Pennewill and Grubb backed
away from proximity to them. The
electric current was shut off as soon as
possible after the lightning had played
us Uldilh anu Ed1 vas nuhHNiAANNA A'i
the remainder OF the session. Business
in the court was temporarily suspend
ed. pending the lighting of the gas
and it was noticed that few cared tC
sit under the lights.
1t was feared that the lightning
might have caused damage to the
building, and Jantor Kelly and Dep.
uty Sheriff Cox made an examination
but the lightning was evidently salts
fed with its court room prank as M
other damage was discovered.
A ball of fire also entered the Office
of County Treasurer Rettew, in which
Deputy Treasurer Robert NJ. Burns wal
sitting at the time. The bolt traverset
along an electric wire, and tore from
the wall a socket for an electric ligh
connection. The effect of this from tn
office of Recorder of Deeds Moore op
posite was that of streak Of fir
passing along the corridor. In the of
flee of Clerk of the Peace Quigley
messenger call box blew out with
flash of flame.
Sheriff Stidham was sitting by
window in his Office when the terrifi
bolt of lightning shot out at $3.50 O'Clock
An electric wire beside him emitted al
ominous crack that caused the sherii
to leap hurriedly from his chair. IN
lightning evidently charged the elec
trio wires at this point and found it
way into the county court room
where it created CONSERVATION by it
pranks.
Struck Water Witch Tower.
Lightning struck the tower Of tn
Water Witch Fire Engine Company
House. at Gilpin avenue and Scot
street. and portion Of the slate Gov
ering was torn away.
Wharf Tumbled Into Stream.
During the storm the wharf above III
p, B. & w. railroad bridge across III
Brandywine creek gave way and tun
bled into the stream. on it were pile
several heavy steel girders for the ne
bridge and other bridge material an
they all fell into the water. 1t Wa
some time before the material was go
ten out and it was recovered with cor
siderable trouble.
Swtehman Struck.
John II. Hooten. of No. 61S West Sc
ond street. employed as a switchma
at The Fourteenth street crossing Of Il