The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-22
Prominent Richmond Man
Struck by Lightning and
in Serious Condition.
SPECIAL TRAIN is
RUSHED TO SCENE
Richmond Physicians and Friends
Hasten to Goochland Estate,
Where Injured Man Was Ly-
ing Unable to Secure Med
icai Attention ~ Will
Probably Recover.

- TUNED by a bolt of lightning
while out for Sunday after
noon stroll with his dogs on
~ his handsome '.Howard's Neck
estate, in Goochland county
late on yesterday, Mr.. Saunders Hob
son. of the banking firm of Hobscn.
Massle &; Leigh, of this city, was badly
burned and shocked, and Is still in a
serious condition. Physicians and
friends were hurrcdly rushed TO the
scene on a special train from Rich
mond, and the report of the doctors
at ! o'clock this morning was to the
effect that while badly injured. Mr..
Hobson was more comfortable and
was doing as we'll as could be ex-
pected. Though the physicians are
hopeful of full recovery. they could
give no positive opinion until the Sef-
feet OF the shock has in some mfasure
passed off.
News Spread Rapidly.
Mr.. Hobson is widely known In Rich
mond as business, club and society
man, and the news of his injury
though lacking in detail, spread rap
idly. The accident occurred on the
Hobson family estate. in the James
River Valley. about fifty miles west
of Richmond. The house stands on an
eminence about one mile west of Penn
berton sta tion. and Immediately across
the river from the country place of
Dr. Paulus a. Irving. The town OF
Howardsville is just below.
On Saturday afternoon Mr.. Hobson
left Richmond for q day or two OF
relaxation from the heat and strain of
the city. his partner. Mr.. W. r. Mas
ssie. who had been away during the
past week. returning TO the Iity yes
terday evening just in time to get the
news of the accident.
Always fond of country life. Mr..
Hobson delighted in his dogs and
horses. having always on hand fine
specimens of each. The old place has
been in the family for several genera
tions, the house having withstood the
ravages of wartime. while the plan
brother Mr.. Cannon Hobson, has be-
come one of the richest in the river
valley. This brother and one sister.
Miss Lady Hobson. made their home
at the Howard's Neck place.
Unable to Get Doctor.
Starting out yesterday after the heat
of the summer day, Mr.. Hobson was
caught by the rush OF a, heavy thun-
der-storm which swept down the river
yallcy-the same storm which struck
Richmond between s and Z o'clock,
with electric force abated, but with
equal velocity of wind and rain.
Stunned and burned by the bolt, which
instantly killed a dog by his side, Mr..
Hobson lay some time before he was
missed. Farm hands putting out for a
~
his dead body lying under a tree. But
life was not extinct, and every possible
effort was made to obtain speedy assist
ance. Messengers sent over the river
to DR.. lrving's plaSe learned that he
had returned to Richmond, while Dr.
Snead, the practitioner of the neigh
borhood, could not at the time be To-
Gated.
The damage to the local telephone
service throughout the country still
further complicated the situation, and
while rumors Of Mr.. Hobson's injuries
spread over the neighborhood for some
hours 1t was impossible 10 obtain ac-
curate information. Other messengers
secured the neighborhood for assist
ance and kilograms were dispatched
to friends In Richmond. asking that
doctors be sent up at once.
Special Trnin Leaves.
News OF the accident to Mr.. Hobson
In the measrest detail. reached Rich
mond shortly after 5 O'clock last night
from Pemberton, the telephone circuits
through Goochland county having been
put out of commission by the storm.
Mr. Massie at once comm unicated with
other friends here, and in a few mo-
,ments arrangements were made with
General Manager Charles r. Doyle, of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, for
a special car to be taken to Pemberton
Immediately. Dr.. Robert c. Bryan and
DR.. William T. Oppenhimer were sum-
moned, and by $3.50 o'clock a Chesa
peake and Ohio day coach with an en-
gine was In readiness and shortly be-
fore 10 o'clock Mr., Massie Mr.. Ashton
Starke. Miss Bessie Martin and sew.
eral other friends with the doctors
left General Manager Doyle giving
personal orders that the special was
to have the right of way over every
thing, and to be taken with all speed
to Pemberton Station,
@ With no night operator on duty at
Pemberton. details were difficult to
obtain, and the party of friends and
physicians We're In Ignorance of tile
nature of the injuries or Of the con-
dition in which they would find Mr..
EIobson. BY order OF the chief dis
patcher, the train took along tele-
graph operator, who opened the office
at Pemberton, the train being held
for a quick return to Richmond in the
event that the doctor. should advise
an immediate transfer to a city hospl-
tai.
Getting Along Nrcl!.
After an examination, Drs Bryan and
Oppenhimer decided against an imme-
diate removal and spent the night
beside their patient at his home,
Nurses will be sent up this morning ia
take charge until the doctors con-
slider Mr.. Hobson sufficiently recovered
from the shock to permit him to be
moved,
About 4 O'clock this morning the
physicians reported. that Mr.. Hobson
was getting along wen, and held out
hopes II his ultimate recovery.
1t is imhossible to tell as yet what
the extent OF his hurns Will be, even In
the event of complete recovery, nor
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