The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1912-07-16
Destructive Showers.

A series of heavy showers passed over
Burlington county Thursday afternoon
and evening, breaking the dry spell and
bringing temporary relief from the OPP
pressive humidity that prevailed. Enough
rain fell In some sections to benefit the
burning crops, and the outlook Is much
more encouraging to farmers.
Lightning was very sharp In the chain
of storms thatpassed this way, especially
In the vicinity of Medford, where the
greatest amount of damage was done.
A bolt of lightning struck a tree about
one hundred feet away and the ball of fire
leaped to barn on the farm of Charles
w. Hunter and the structure was set on
fire. Miss Lillian Hunter was alone at
the time, and her first impulse was to re-
lease the stock. She ran to the burning
building, where she found that the horses
had been knocked down from shock. Not
withstanding the fact that she was becom-
ing surrounded by the fast spreading
flames, the young lady tried to save her
fsvorite horse ard nearly lost her life In
the attempt She failed In her purpose,
as the halter was so tightly secured the
girl could not release the animal and she
fell to the floor exhausted by her efforts.
Miss Hunter WAS badly burned about the
body when rescued from horrible death
by Samuel Cooper, who was the first one
to enter the barn. He carried Miss Hun
ter to the home of neighbor and ply
stefan was summoned.
The fire spread so rapidly that all the
outbuildings and their contents, includ-
ing three horses and several cows, were
consumed. The loss is reported to be
about 50. 900, with 81, 100 insurance.
August Kumpel, another farmer living
about half mile distant, was burned out
at the same time. Neighbors saved the
stock and machinery, but the outbuild-
ings and contents were reduced to ashes.
The loss will amount TO about So, 500
In answer to calls for assistance the
Medford fremen FASTENED to the scene,
and by their efforts the dwellings on both
farms were saved.
The electric fluid splintered barn on
the farm of William B. Lippincott In the
same neighborhood, but the structure did
not burn.
One storm broke with fury over Ran
cocas, where there were a number of
washouts. Outbuildings and fences were
blown down and trees were torn up by
the roots.
A barn containing considerable grain
on farm occupied by Hamilton Bros,
near Bordentown, was also destroyed,
causing loss of $1,000.
On the farm of Arthur TIL omas, near
Crosswicks, wagon house and a chicken
house were burned, but the other build
ings were saved.
At Wrightstown a barn on the farm of
Giberson CLARK was struck. Part of the
roof and many weatherboards were torn
of, but there was no fire. 1t is reported
that three men who sought shelter In
wagon were stunned by lightning.
The hardest downpour of rain the peo-
pie of Mount Holly have witnessed for
long time fell on Sunday afternoon and
In a short time the streets were flooded !
struck the upholstery factory
of RoYle, Pilkington Company, and
the fire that followed was extinguished |
before any loss was sustained The fire. |
men were called out but their services
were not needed.
At about the same time lightning was
the cause of the destruction of all the |
on the farm of Horace G. !
Atkinson at Chambers corner causing |
loss of about $1,000. Nearly rs tons of |
hay, % loads of rye, 10 loads of wheat
and shelvings loaded with potatoes were
consumed, as well as part of the machi- |
merry. The live stock was saved. This |
is the second time Mr.. Atkinson has been |
burned out within three years.