The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1912-03-21
ELECTRIC STORMS CAUSE LOSS
State Official Declares Records Show
That Many of These Losses Gould
Have Been Averted by Proper Use
Of Old Fashioned lightning Rods.

There is nothing like being ahead of
tlme ln>your warnings, according to
state Fire Marshal T. NJ. Purtell.
While you sit and shiver over the
furnace register, crouch about the
steam radiator or about the glowing
coal stove, you can read all about the
elect of lightning and the summer
storms. However, remember that
spring showers bring May flowers,
and SO be satisfied that even the fire
marshal believes spring is coming. He
writes as follows:
The season Of probable electric
storms is close at hand, SO we send
out this warning to rod buildings.
Absolutely immunity from lightning
danger is practically unattainable. On
this men of science agree. They also
agree and experience has demonstrated
that a good lightning rod is a great
protection.
When the electric discharge comes
from single cloud to the earth it will
seek out a lightning rod. When the
electric energy is stored in two or
more clouds, the upper clouds overflow
into the lower and this to the earth
resulting not in one lightning bolt, but
in a veritable deluge of electricity.
With this the ordinary lightning rod
system cannot cope.
Experience also teaches us that the
chances of being struck are much
greater in the country than in the city.
This greater immunity in cities is due
to the net work of electric light and
power and telephone wires, buildings
constructed of iron, and iron roofs.
So there is special need for the
lightning road on county buildings.
Two years ago this department sent
out inquiries to the secretaries of all
Farmers Mutual Insurance Companies
Of the state calling for the total light
ming loss and a comparison of losses
on buildings protected with those not
rodded Their replies furnish a power
full argument in favor Of the lightning
rod. One secretary of thirty-three
years experience as such stated, that
his company never sustained a loss on
a building which was properly rodded.
This was the general tenor of the re
plies of all.
Herman Pfund Of Madison, secretary
of the German Evangelical Lutheran
Fire Insurance Association in bulletin.
just issued, states that the records of
his office from 1905 to 1912 show one
hundred and five lightning losses on
churches with total damage Of
$15, 667.19, and twelve lightning losses
on other parish property with dam
age Of $4,000. Speaking from his ex
perience he recommends the rodding of
all buildings, especially churches,
whose tall spires ana gllded IRON
crosses seem to invite the lightning to
strike.
We strongly recommend the rodding
of buildings. A strong cable made of
a bundle of copper wires is better
than the solid rod. We further recon-
mend deep grounding in permanent
ly damp earth.
We do not and cannot suggest any
particular make of rod. There are
several good makes.
The day of the "lightning rod
shark is past, fortunately, and both
the manufacturing and selling is done
in a more honest manner than former
ly. In many cases you can obtain the
best from your local hardware dealer,
at fair price, and with it get the
guarantee that comes from the bust
ness honor of man you know
The expense is small when COM
pared to the danger of both property
and life, and the actual loss of both
due to lightning.
Do not wait until the lightning
strikes to rod your buildings. Do it