The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-06-14

Others Burned And Stunned.
The entire community was shock
! ed yesterday afternoon when it was
| learned that Mrs. Sophia Roberts
Phelps, wife of Captain ]. Spence
Phelps, had been struck and killed
by lightning at Travers Wharf. So
terrible was the news that it really
seemed incredible but as soon as
communication could De established
with those who had been present and
witnessed the horrible tragedy it
was confirmed.
At the time Mrs. Phelps was kill
ed she was standing beside her nus
band and had both arms aound his
neck. Just an instant before there
had been a flash of lightning which
seemed so close as to be almost felt
by the members of the party and
Mrs. Phelps had reached up and put
both arms around Captain Phelps
neck, while he had placed his arm
about her to reassure her. In an
instant the second bolt OF lightning
came striking the freight house IN
which they were standing, splinter
ing the doors and side through
which it came and striking her inthe
middle of the back, killing her IN
stantly and setting fire to her dress.
At the same time Captain Phelps
and Mrs. L. Phillip Skinner, who was
standing on the otner side OF him,
were knocked down as were also MI.
Skinner William Hubbard and Cap
tain Boisan. Captain Boisan, who
lives at 1905 Linden avenue, Baltl-
visiting canaan
and Mrs. Phelps, was severely lnJur-
ed. being brought to the hospital in
an unconscious condition and hover
ing for hours between life and death,
although at this time his condition
is reported to be very much lmpro'-
ed.
Captain Phelps was badly burned
on the arm which he had around MS
wife and ON the side next to her, MI.
skinner was unconscious for SNORT
time and upon coming TO round tnat
he was paralyZed from the waist
down but after a short time recover
ed complete use of himself but hao
sears across his chest and stomach.
Mrs. Skinner sustained some bad
bruises from falling ard is sllgntly
burned. Mr.. Hubbard, who was
standing beside his car, was Knock
ed down but did not sustain any In
juries.
Just a short distance away, in the
other end of the freight house, ut
tho time the accidens occurred were
Mr.. and Mrs. Francis S. Brue1l, Jr,
Misses Shirley Dashiell, Rebecca
Leonard, Mary Byrn and Mr.. Howard
simmons. They had noticed the
shock just before and were looking
at the others at the time the llgntn-
ing struck They Immediately rush
ed to their assistance and got them
I'D and off of the wharf as quickly
as possible, bringing Mrs. Phelps and
CAPTAIN Moisan to the Hospital. Mr..
Skinner dragged himself by ms
hands and shoulders to the shore but
gradually regained the use OF MS
limbs and beyond the shock, appar-
emily. mas not sustained any ln1u-
rieS.
Captain Phelps condition is some
what improved this morning, al
though he spent a very bad nlgnt'
his burns causing him great pain
and preventing him from sleeping.
II is not believed that his injuries
will prove serious, although 1t may
be several days before it will be pos
sible to ascertain his true condltlon.
Great excitement prevailed IN
Cambridge and almost all who were
in the freight house were reported ~
lone time or another, to have tsr
killed or seriously injured. MISS
Lee Phillips, daughter OF MT. ana
Mrs. Edward S. Phillips, and Misses
| Frances Bryan and Sallie Edmunos
we're in the office on the wharf dress
ing at the time. Miss Phillips ear
was used to bring the injured to the
hospital and after getting there she
tainted, but none of the three Were
| injured except for some slight purns
which Miss Phillips complains OF on
! the foot.
Captain Moisan's condition was 30
improved this morning that he hopes
| to leave this afternoon for SALISBURY.