Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-01-15
LIGHTNING A MYSTERY
This Phenomenon of Nature Is a
Puzzle to Science.

In general way we understand the
theory Of thunderstorms. AS mat.
ter of fact, there is no phenomenon
Of nature, but excepting even earth
quakes, of which we know SO little.
Man-made lightning-that is, cleo
tricity of the highest power. which
we can artifcially produce-will act
according to certain known laws. 1t
will, for instance, travel along con-
ductor of metal.
But fash of lightning will fire.
quent leap from a well defined metal
path and launch itself through the air
or some adjacent object which is an
infinitely poorer conductor.
This may be due to the almost In
ming says writer in Pearson's Week
~. 1t is estimated that q fash of
lightning mile long represents
pressure of discharge equal to 3.00O,-
100000 volts.
AS such fash lasts only about the
thousandth part Of second the en-
ergy dissipated by the discharge is
equal to 100000 horsepower. Put in
other words. If we could find some
means of saving and using lightning
we should be the richer by good
round sum for every fash.
Lightning is. as we know, usually
accompanied by peal Of thunder.
which is louder the nearer the bearer
is to the point OF the discharge, but
this is not an invariable rule. There
/ are cases on record Of most destruc-
tive lightning flashes which were IN
accompanied by sound.
Such phenomenon occurred at Brad
ford some years ago. What Is de-
scribed as ga silent thunderboit" fell
in graveyard, destroying one monu-
ment and smashing to atoms nearly
seventy glass cases containing wreaths
and flowers.
In the same summer Swanscombe,
in Kent. was terrified by freak OF
lightning. All of a sudden "a great
mass of blue fire" swept along the
street, and next moment it was seen
that the fine old parish church. built
nearly 100 years ago. had been struck
The building, with all its fine ole
carved oak, was soon roaring fur
mace. and only a part of the chance
was saved.
Scientists are still hopelessly at ses
as to the cause of that peculiar phe
nomenon known as globe lightning. A
Coventry some years ago during vic
lent thunderstorm 1t passed along {
street like a soap bubble built of blu
, fire and drifted into shed. where i
, exploded, blowing the roof of th
> place.
At Rheims. in France, similar fir
} ball came into cobbler's shol
7 through the open window. The soil
!. tary occupant Of the place sat perfect
s ly still, paralyzed with terror, Will
his fearful visitant lowered for sever
al seconds overhead. Then it move
toward the fireplace and PRESENT..
passed up the chimney.
Next moment there was an explt
sion like shell bursting, and the VI
per part Of the chimney came crashin
o down.
It Not long ago Count G. Hamilto
made record of similar freak {
Il electricity. He was sitting at Dime
at house on Lake Wiener. in Swedel
when Just after vivid fash Of igh
ming brilliant white ball appeare
v over the table and after hanging poise
I there for some seconds went OF wit
with loud bang.
= Fortunately it did no harm to an
-. one. although 1t was quite close
"a several people. Those who saw it SUI
) gested it was like ball of cold ligh
d ming.
IS In November. 1902 Sydney. Austr
= Tia. was visited by terrific du
storm. In the midst Of which perfe
Of rain Of electric Fl balls began to ia
l. These set fire to number Of house
l. and most appalling panic set in.
>, cry was raised that the end of Il
~ world was at hand, and people rush,
- out of their houses into the ink blac
!, 6 dust deep streets.
in The most amazing and terrifyil
displays of the power Of lightning a
= seen on. mountains. In 1890 a. par