The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-09-13
BOLT FROM SKY
SM|TES THRONC
=, wo Hundred People Struck by
Lightning, One Being Killed
and a Score Injured.
Crowd Was Assembled at Race Track
in Utah Town, Watching a Race,
When the Bolt Came Without
a Moments Notice.

Richheld, Utah.--Lightning from a
clear sky hurled 200 persons to the
ground killing one, Tuesday after
noon. Another will probably die.
rwenty-six more are injured. several
of them badly.
The bolt fell in the midst OF $500
people, all crowded close TO the rail
of the new race track. They ere
watching the beginning OF the avs
third trotting race. IL came without
warning. A terrific report startled the
thousands. Half dazed by its inten-
sity those who had escaped the shock
caught their scattered senses TO see
maddened horses dashlng in all direc-
tions through the crowd. while 200
men and women lay PROSTATE.
The bolt came from broad strip of
clear sky between two approaching
cloud masses Its explosion when It
struck on a wagon was the first warn.
ing of its presence. The ground had
been wet by light showers and the
electricity scattered over the grass
in blue flames that knocked down,
stunned and burned victims on all
sides. II ripped wagon wheels and
seats and shattered the track fence.
The crowd had gathered at the new
fair grounds. They had come from
many surrounding points in honor of
Utah Commercial Travellers day. The
races were the main thing OF interest
and they had crowded close to the
track, all along whose circuit they
were strung.
When the belt struck some thought
dynamite had exploded. Others
thought 1t was a giant iirecracker. A
rush toward the place followed, as
soon as people recovered their senses.
Horses were running madly. some
dragging carriages ana others loose.
Women and childrsqf shrieked with
terror.
The area over which the shock was
felt extended about 100 yards each
way. A number OF wagons and car
riages in this area were broken by tho
force of the lightning.
Mrs. A. ID. Rasmussen was In sur
rey with her family OF children when
the bolt fen. The horse ran away and
the vehicle was overturned. Mrs.
Rasmussen was badly injured, as was
a little girl. The mothers nose was
cut on. II. s. Ivie, a horseman. who
had just lined up his sulky for the
start, had strange experience. His
animal was dazed for several seconds.
as was the driver. Both came to
/ about the same time. and the horse
/ holted at once. Still half dazed. the
| driver held grimly To- the reins and
guided the horse around the track by
the time his wits fully came TO him
he had the brute under control.
The new fair grounds, the scene OF
the accident, are about three miles
from town.
After the first shock sustained by
the throng, assistance was given to the
injured. II was found that Altus Bean,
OF Richheld, 10 years OF age. was dead.
Among the most seriously injured
are:
Dwight Bean. Richheld; will prob
ably die; clothes all torn OF.
Mrs. A. B. Williams. badly shocked
and burned about head and back.
Mrs. Harry u. Mills, Richheld. bad
ly shocked and burned about left side.
Mrs. A. o. Rasmussen, Richiield,
nose cut on
lneZ Clark, Richield, shocked.
burned over head.
child OF Mrs. Rasmussen. internal
| ly hurt.
w. Il. Ashmus. Richfed, hair
burned OF. badly shocked.
Archie Anderson. Glenwood. hair
burned from head badly shocked.
All the above are sim confined to
! theif beds.
There were about a score Of others
less seriously injured.
Terrorized by Tartars.