Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-03-26
KILLED IN HIS PULPIT
Rev. J. B. Lentz Stricken Dead
by Lightning in Awful
Storm at Carson
MANY IN AUDIENCE BURNED
TO Add to the Terrible and Sudden
Calamity, the Church Building
Caught Fire-Telephone Lineman
Extinguishes Flames Unaided =
Whole Community Horror Stricken.
Special 10 rlmes-Republican.

Special TO Times Republican.
Carson, March 26. - Killed by a
stroke of lightning while about to be-
gin his sermon, was the extraordinary
fate which befell the Rev. j. B. Lentz,
of the Latter Day Saints church Of this
place, at l1:45 a. M, Sunday In adj
tor. many members OF the congrega-
ton were stunned and burned by the
food of electricity which appeared to
I'LL the church. The stroke came with
such suddenness and was SO unexpect-
ed that a veritable panic prevailed in
the little church for time, and words
cannot describe the emotion which rent
the hearts and minds OF the nifty or
more faithful Of the congregation, as q
3 run realization Of what mad occurred
slowly came to them.
Saw the storm Gathering.
Rev. l.eIltz mad just started to de-
liver his sermon. He and members Of
the congregation had been casting anx-
ious glances thru the windows at the
gathering storm and the pastor, indi-
eating his anxiety-no doubt entirely
for the people Of the church-spoke
to ,Messrs Warren and Elswick. asking
them for advice as whether he should
proceed with the services. Mr.. Elswick
replied. suggesting that he proceed.
adding that the teams had been placed
in shelter.
Stricken a Moment Later.
/. Acting upon the advice of the men,
Rev. Lentx began his sermon, and had
spoken but q few words when a ter
ritic crash sounded, which fairly deaf
ened all present and the room was
filled with brilliant and dazzling
light When those nearest the pulpit
realized what had happened and had
cast q glance about them, they were
horrified to see the pastor stretched
prone upon the floor, where he had
fallen backward. Rev. Lentz was
standing directly beneath chande-
lier which held several electric lights.
and a later examination revealed the
fact that the electric fluid had follow
Cd the wires thru that avenue. Rev.
Lentz ws.s picked up and tenderly car
near the church, and Doctors Pierce.
Shaffer and Kline We're summoned as
hastily as possible. They applied all
known reastoratives, but without avail
and the. unfortunate man died within
half hour, without 3regaining con-
sciousness. The scene about the An
drews home and the church at this
time was one Of indescribable pathos.
Building Caught Fire.
To add to the horror of the situation.
1t was quickly discovered that the
church building was on fire, also that
many were suffering from severe burns
about the face and hands. Some Of
the congregation were injured SO badly
however, that they We're unable to care
for themselves, and no one had a
thought but for their unfortunate pas
tor. The lightning stroke was follow,
ed by heavy rain storm, and it be-
came as dark as night inside the build
ing, which added to the confusion in
cident upon such an unusual visitation.
Telephone Lineman is Hero.
An alarm which was quickly given,
brought others to the place and when
1t was discovered that the cupalo of the
building was on fire, and there was no
means of reaching it, Elmer Turn
bloom. a lineman for the Bell Tele-8
phone Company, appeared on the scene.
He hastily climbed to the roof of the
building and from there to the cupalo.
succeeding unaided in putting out the
flames. The damage is estimated at
500.
There were about fifty people in the
congregation. Some of them will bear
marks of the electric fluid for weeks,
while others were only slightly burned
No one escaped being shocked more or
less severely.
Rev. Lentz had been in Carson about
eighseen months. and was greatly be-
loved by the people of the church and
citizens generally. He leaves q widow
and one child. Examination of his body
disclosed only slight marks OF the
electricity which killed him. No ar
rangements have yet been made 1or