Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-08-01
DEATH By LIGHTNING.
Only Ono Person Out Of One Thousand
Killed In This Manner.

Only One Person Out OF One Thousand
Killed In This Manner.
The fear of being killed by lightning
under which many Washingtonians
have labored during the terrific elec-
trical storms OF the present summer, is
needlessly exaggerated, according to
experiments conducted by the weather
bureau, which has discovered that an
average of only 800 persons are killed
thus each year, or about one for every
100000 of population.
In spite, of these figures, the tragic
death a week ago of T. Burgess John
son, solicitor of the navy department,
on the Chevy Chase Golf club links,
and reports from all over the country
telling Of death and injury caused by
lightning, have laid the basis for a
deep and abiding fear The nature of
this fear was displayed a few years
ago, when, in census Of fears" TAX
en- at Clark university, dread of light
ming received the heaviest percentage.
The proverbial freakishness Of light
ming, the suddenness with which It
kills and destroys, the mystery with
which 1t Is surrounded, have multiplied
many fold the natural fears Of death.
After years Of experimenting little
more Is known about lightning today
than was known when BENJAMIN
Franklin first tied a key to a kite
string and discovered the source Of
electricity.
The weather bureau has compiled a
mass of statistics on the results Of
lightning, the regions of the country
most often visited by electrical storms,
and the causes of thunderstorms, but
little has been done toward devising a
protection against lightning. Houses
are partially protected by rods, but
many times a year animals and hu-
mans have been struck down.
Greatest Danger In South.
1t has been conclusiveIy shown by
the weather bureau that danger from
lightning is largely matter Of local
ity. The belt of numerous visitations
In the United States includes all Of
Florida, except the southernmost tip;
all the lower edge of Georgia, and the
southeastern corner of Alabama. West
OF the Rockies and along The Pacific
coast there are few storms. The Dis
trict Of Columbia lies in the region
next in danger to the southern part Of
the country.
The old idea that lightning never
hits In the same place has often been
proved a fallacy by the records of the
weather bureau. The Washington
monument and the dome of the United
States capitol have been struck many
times. Several years ago a bolt of
lightning, striking the dome of the
capitol, recocheted to the plaza below,
where 1t struck a cab, knocking the
horse down and hurling the driver
from his seat. Neither the horse nor
the man was injured. During another
storm young man was descending the
stairway leading to the top. The man
was hurled down several steps.
That even man may be an excep-
ton to the supposed that light
ming does not strike twice in the same
place Is proved by the case Of Charles
Hines, farmer of Dutch Neck, N. j.,
who Is said to have been struck six
times without injury, the first time in
boat, which was sunk under him;
the second time while walking on q
railroad, the third time when a church
pew was wrecked under him, the fourth
time when his horse was killed, and
the plow he was guiding was twisted
out of shape; the fifth time when he
was knocked senseless from the sup
per table, and the sixth time when he
was knocked from the horse and strip
ped Of all his garments below his
waist.
That the death rate due to lightning,
both among animals and man, is
greatly heightened by the tendency Of
both to seek shelter beneath trees at
the approach of storm has been often
proved. Trees are good marks for
lightning.
Time and again one of party has
been killed and the others left almost
unharmed. 1t has grown to be popu-
lar superstition that If three persons
are together, only one of them can be
killed by lightning. When Mr.. john
aop WOO killad oauarol man naor hin,
were not injured, but were thrown to
the ground and stunned.
That Mr.. Johnson's death was caus-
ed by the metal on golf stick, which
he carried over one shoulder, seems
to be confirmed by similar accident
which happened in Vienna, Austria, in
1906. At that time, a sentry on duty
in front of the jail was carrying his
rifle, with bayonet attached, on one
shoulder. A bolt of lightning struck
the bayonet and killed the man in
stantly.
The most dangerous buildings to be
in during thunderstorms, according to
statistics, are barns, sheds, and ware
houses. Churches and schools appear
to be safer than dwellings, stores, and
office buildings. Wooden roofs are
struck more often than those of slate,
while those of metal are most seldom
struck. More than twice as many cat
tie as sheep are struck, more sheep
than horses, more horses than pigs,
and more pigs than mules.
Country houses on hillsides are In
greater danger than those on level
ground, according to the weather bu-
reau official. Lightning falls indis-
criminately upon trees, rocks, and
buildings, and, therefore, it makes lit
tie difference whether trees near houses
are high or low. People who wish to
avoid lightning should not stand in
doorways of barns close to cattle, or
near chimneys or fireplaces during a
storm. Small articles of steel, like
scissors, cannot attract lighting out Of
it's course, as is commonly supposed.
A great depression, suffered just be-
fore thunderstorms, is due to the fall
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