The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1905-09-09
BOLT FROM SKY
SM|TES THRONC
Two Hundred People Struck by
Lightning, One Being Killed
and a Score Injured.
Crowd Was Assembled at Race Track
in Utah Town, Watching 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.
Twenty-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 we're
watching the beginning of the lay s
third trotting race II 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 dashing 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 II
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. 1t 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 bolt struck some thought
dynamite had exploded. Others
thought 1t was a giant firecracker. A
rush toward the place followed, as
soon as people recovered their senses.
Horses were running madly, some
dragging carriages and others loose.
Women and children 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 the
force of the lightning.
Mrs. A. d. Rasmussen was in a sur
rey with her family OF children when
the bolt fell. The horse ran away and
the vehicle was overturned. Mrs
Rasmussen was badly injured, as was
little girl. The mothers nose was
cut on H. S. Ivie. horseman, who
had just lined up his sulky for the
start, had a strange experience. His
animal was dazed for several seconds
as was the driver. Both came L
about the same time, and the horst
bolted at once. Still half dazed, thu
driver held grimly to the reins ant
guided the horse around the track, b.
the time his wits fully came to hin
he had the brute under control,
The new fair grounds, the scene o
| the accident are about three mile
| from town.
After the first shock sustained b
the throng, assistance was given to tn
| injured. 1t was found that Altus Bear
of Richfield, 10 years of age, was deat
Among the most seriously injure
| are:
| Dwight Bean, Richtield; will prol
ably die; clothes all torn Off.
| Mrs. A. b. Williams. badly shocke
and burned about head and back.
Mrs. Harry f.. Mills, Richtield, bat
~ shocked and burned about left sid
Mrs. A. o, Rasmussen, Richtiel'
nose cut off.
Inez Clark, Richtield, shocke,
burned over head
Child of Mrs, Rasmussen, interna
ly hurt.
W. Il. Ashmus. Richtield, ha
burned on. badly shocked,
Archie Anderson, GlenwoOd, ha
burned from head, badly shocked.
All the above are still confined
thei' beds
There were about score of othe
less seriously injured.