New-York tribune., 1905-07-09
LIGHTNING STUNS TWENTY
BOLT SPLITS PARK TREE.
Eight, Seeking Shelter from Storm,
Go to Hospital.

Twenty persons were shocked and stunned by
lightning when bolt struck a big elm tree
under which they had sought shelter from the
storm in Prospect Park Brooklyn, yesterday af-
ternoon. The injuries of only serious.
Twelve of the victims were treated by ambu-
lance surgeons, eight of whom We're taken to hos
pitfalls and the others to their homes. The others
refused medical attention and were assisted to
their homes by friends.
Those treated by the doctors were the Leide
family, OF No. 276 19th-st August John, Rose
and Richard; the Heithewaite family, Charles.
George. James, Margaret and Albert. of No. 342
9th-st. John Lewis, of No. 1,0161a Dekalb-ave.;
Marjorie Spear. of No. 72S Carron-st., and John
Wilkinson, of No. $50 Lexington-ave. All the
addresses given are in Brooklyn.
The park was crowded with pleasure seekers
when the storm broke suddenly shortly after 3
o'clock. Those who were playing the lawn
tennis courts near the West Drive. in about the
central part of the park, and those watching the
games sought shelter under the large trees.
About twenty crowded under giant elrp.- which
is one of the features of that part of the park.
The foliage was so dense that for a time it
afforded perfect shelter from the driving rain.
Lightning was playing through the clouds, but
no one seemed TO realize his danger. Those
under other trees in the neighborhood were hor-
rified to see a bolt of lightning dart down. and.
had sought its protection tumbling in all direc-
tions.
In spite of the rain there was rush to assist
those who injured. All but twelve were
able to pick themselves UP after few minutes
while some of the others gradually revived
under the chafng of willing hands 1t was no.
tlced that the tennis players who wore rubber
soled shoes escaped with only slight shock
mounted policeman who had seen the stroke
put spurs TO his horse and galloped to the Litch-
field Mansion, the headquarters of the park
police Ambuances were summoned from the
Norwegian, Brooklyn and Kings County hospf-
tails. The ambulance of the Seney Hospital.
the one nearest the scene of the accident, being
out of commission on account of an accident
several days ago, patrol wagons from the
Bergen-st. and 5th-ave. police stations were
sent to the hospital to take doctors to the park
Several private practitioners were also taken in
the patrol wagons
Eight were still unconscious from the effects
OF the lightning when the doctors arrived Two
of these were soon revived and the others were
hurried to the hospitals The most seriously in
Jured is john Wilkinson. a physical director in
the Young Women's Christian Association. His
legs and feet were scared as if with red hot
iron. His clothing literally torn from his
legs. Had 1t not been for mis- excellent physical
condition the shock would undoubtedly it is
thought, have killed him.
The clothing Of most of the others was torn
burned. Most of them will be able to be about
in few days
The giant elm cleft to the roots and torn
into hundred pieces. The terrible work of the
lightning was seen by hundreds of women and
children, who had sought shelter under other
trees in the neighborhood. While some of the
older persons went to the assistance of the in
jured, all who had children in their charge be-
panic stricken and started for the park
entrance in the driving rain. Park Commissioner
Kennedy, who was at his home on the Park
Slope at the time, ordered his carriage and
drove the scene. He assisted the police in
helping the panic stricken mothers and children
out Of the park
The storm yesterday came up with unusual
suddenness apparently gathering out of a clear
sky. The perspiring pedestrians welcomed it as
possible means of escape from the intense heat
and high humidity. AT o'clock in the morning
the thermometer registered 79 degrees at the
office of the weather bureau. The humidity at
the same time was so. At noon the mercury had
crept up 10 50. The arrival of the thunderstorm
soon afterward cooled down the heated side
walks and the temperature sank to II degrees
But after the storm the conditions were very
little improved. The mercury began another
ascent, and at o'clock registered 76 while the
humidity was s5. The prospect for to-day and
to- morrow is showers and thunderstorms ac-
companied by light south winds