Evening star., 1909-06-30
ELECTRIC BOLT KILLS
Lightning Stays Alfred L. Hart
man While in Boat.
HURLS BODY INTO STREAM
Tragedy Monday Afternoon at Mouth
of Nomini Creek.
COMPANION MERELY STUNNED
Search for Remains Unsuccessful
Thus Far-Mother of Deceased
Overcome by Grief.
COMPANION MERELY STUNNED

Alfred L. Hartman of this city, while
aboard a power launch in Nomini creek
last Monday afternoon. was struck by
lightning and knocked from the boat. At
late hour yesterday afternoon his body
had not been recovered. Roy Freeman.
who was with Hartman in the launch,
but was not injured. returned to this city
this morning aboard the steamer Capital
City
The young men. il is stated, had been
cruising on Chesapeake bay, and were
on the way up the Potomac from Girls
field. Noticing gale approaching. they
headed for Nomini for shelter. The boat
had hardly entered the creek when the
storm broke. Hartman and Freeman
we're standing side by side in the cockpit
when the lightning flashed. The body of
Hartman seemed to be lifted from the
boat by the bolt and was thrown twenty
feet away into the water.
Freeman who was stunned by the bolt,
could do nothing to aid his companion
AS soon as possible he made his way to
the shore and, securing assistance, went
back to the point where the accident oc-
CURED and endeavored to recover the
body, but without success.
Search for Body Unsuccessful.
Dragging was resumed yesterday morn
ing and continued all day but when the
steamer Capital City left Nominf to re-
turn to this city yesterday afternoon
the body had not been found.
The launch was but little injured by the
lightning, but a small tender it was tow
ing was torn almost to pieces.
At the Hartman home on 9th street this
morning the scene was one of great grief
The aged mother of the deceased reclined
on a couch in the parlor, where she has
been since hearing the news of his death
Mrs. Hartman explained that her son
was a devotee of river sports. TWO
weeks ago he announced that he would
take a vacation of several weeks from
his work in the general land office. For
several weeks he and his friend. Roy
Freeman. had labored preparing the
launch for the trip to the Chesapeake. At
times they worked from the close of
Office hours until after dark painting
and getting the launch shipshape.
Freeman at Hartman Home.
Freeman visited the Hartman home to-
day TO tell just what happened He said
the trip of the launch down the river had
been uneventful. Sunday was spent on
Chesa peake bay. Early Monday morning
the young men, who had slept in the
cabin of the boat. started the engine and
moved out from Coan river. 1t was the
intention TO go to Colonial Beach.
Monday evening. shortly after o'clock.
they were just inside of the mouth or
Nomini creek.
He and Hartman were standing side by
side at the wheel shortly after + o'clock
4 squall was forming and they had about
decided to throw the anchor over. Of
sudden there was a binding flash OF light
ming which seemed to Freeman to strike
the launch directly at the side Hartman
was thrown backward, and seemed to
dive beneath the water. Freeman, VINO
was stunned by the sudden flash, managed
10 turn as his friend struck the water.
AS the body was thrown through the
air Freeman says he could distinguish
that the coat was apparently torn in
shreds.
1T is all so terrible. he said. He
looked as though it was a scarecrow in
some nightmare that | saw
Effort to Recover Body.
Hartmans body did not reappear. From
a bugeye not far to the south colored
man hurried in a boat.
Freeman looked aft Of his launch to
the canoe they carried. In the bottom
of it the lightning had plowed a hole
at least twelve inches in diameter.
The steering gear of the launch was put
out of commission by the lightning, put
with the aid of the fisherman Freeman
managed to make the mouth OF Nomni
creek. From there he was taken to Mount
Holly. Va, where he telegraphed to his
father in this city the sudden death OF
Hartman and his narrow escape.
Freeman's father went down the river
in launch yesterday for the purpose of
bringing his son to this city. but the
young man returned, is stated. on the
Capital City.
The launch which is worth about 500.
will be sold and the proceeds given to
Hartman's mother. Freeman announced
his intention this morning of disposing of
il at the first opportunity, with the OBJ
ject stated
Hartman came to this city with his
widowed mother about twelve years ago.
lie only a little more than eight
wears OF age at the time. Some time ago
lie was appointed file clerk in the land
Office. On his salary he supported his
her IN iS In