Semi-weekly herald., 1914-08-20
LIGHTNING KILLS
TWO AT ELECTRA

Alfred Spencer, youngest son Of
Mr. and Mrs. George Spencer of the
Florida mesa, and Joe Lopez, young
man who was in the employ Of J. p.
Lowell. were killed yesterday after
noon about 2 o'clock when the txes
under which they had taken rsfuxs
during storm, was struck by light
ming.
The accident occurred in the vicin-
ity of Ebert creek, about three miles
from the Electra camp, where the
boys were assisting in the construc-
ton of the retaining pond. Contrac-
tor Logan desired to rush the work
to completion and all Of the men COM
Piled with his request to labor ON
Sunday in order that he might do 80.
Alfred was engaged in running the
motor boat and the Lopez boy was
driver for J. P. Lowell. the freighter.
When the hard rain came IN
the boys sought shelter under
large red spruce tree. Suddenly n
binding flash Of lightning came
coursing its way down the forks Of
the tree to the spot where shot
gun was resting. At this point it
seems to have leaped to the bodies
of the boys and burned them slight
ing from head to chest and then
skipped space to the ground, where
it tore up the earth at their feet.
The boys were thrown to the ground
with terrible crash. Workmen a
short distance away, who witnessed
the accident, rushed to their aid, hop
ing to save their lives 1t was found
that Lopez had met instant death.
but that young Spencer was still
alive and they hoped against hope
they might revive him. The men ap-
Piled every known restorative at hand
while Perry Spencer, an elder brother
OF the young man, rushed by motor
boat to the summer colony for as
sistance.
When he reached the camp, his fu-
ther and mother, who are spending
The summer there, were just opening
Sunday school services He broke the
sad news to them and all hastened
to the scene Of the accident. When
they reached there they found that
the boy had passed away within fif-
teen minutes after he was shocked
without regaining consciousness. In
fact, few faint heart beats were the
only signs of life about him after the
lightning touched his brow. That the
flash was an unusually severe one
vas evidenced by the clean cut course
made down the fork of the tree to
he main trunk, where II bored good
'ized hole. The stock of the gun
resting against the tree was shattered
nto scores of pieces.
1t seemed odd that the bodies Of
the victims were not more seriously
burned. Thei hair and eyebrows
we're scorched and slight burns were
found on their faces and chests. Spen-
cer had rather large wound on his
'orehead, but II is supposed he sus-
tanned this when he was hurled to the
| ground.
The remains Of the young men were
placed in the motor boat and taken
10 the camp. From this point the
body Of young Spencer was conveyed
o Durango in DR.. +. d. Burns auto.
Mrs. Spencer, the broken hearted
nother, and the doctor occupied the
sront seat, while Mr.. Spencer was
seated in the rear holding what re-
NAMED Of his baby boy beside him.
The run was made to the Hood 4
Ames undertaking parlors in about
.wo hours. The terrible strain of the
.rouble almost unnerved both par
ents.
The Spencers are among our best
snown pioneer people and hosts Of
'riends are doing everything that can
De done to alleviate their burden Of
sorrow. The two daughters Of the
amily, Mrs. Will Spinning and Mrs.
Charles Roberts, of the Florida mess,
is well as Perry Spencer, the remain
ng son, are constantly with the IA
ther and mother.
Had the fine lad lived until
December is he would Of been 18
Years Of age. He was of strong
physique, and a splendid fellow in ev-
cry way, who gave promise Of being
the greatest comfort to the parents
n their declining years.
The remains Of Lopez were brought
to town by Mr.. Lowell. about 8 last
evening. His parents at Espanola
were wired of the tragedy and the
undertakers are awaiting advice from
them regarding the funeral arrange
ments., 1t is supposed the body will
he sent to the old home for inter-
ment. Lopez is survived by broth
er in this city, who is an employ Of
the smelter.
One Of the peculiar things in con-
nection with the accident, is the fact
that the watches the boys were carry
ing at the time they met death, were