The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1934-08-23
Lightning
Bolt Killed
V ern Gray
Accident Happened While
Working on ERA Project
at Park
FUNERAL RITE SUNDAY
Martin Peterson and Henry
Brown Also Suffer From
Shock

John Vernon Gray, while work.
ing on the ERA project at the City
Park, was struck by lightning
Thursday afternoon, and was killed
instantly. The accident happened
shortly after three o'clock. A ply
stefan was called Immediately and
for over an hour artificial respira-
ton was applied in an endeavor to
revive the stricken man.
The accident victim, together
with Henry Brown, and George
Schieffer were employed in leveling
the dirt hauled to the city park,
and when it commenced to rain
they started for the bridge to get
under cover. Gray remarked
short time before that he was afraid
Of lightning. On the way to the
bridge they met Martin Peterson,
teamster on the project, who had
arrived with load of dirt for the
fill, and while they were talking a
bolt of lightning flashed from the
sky. It first hit two cottonwood
trees on the south side Of the
Northern Pacific track, and then
found a course across the track,
where Mr.. Gray stood. He fell to
the ground, Mr.. Peterson was rem
dered unconscious, and Henry
Brown was knocked down. When
Mr.. Brown came to he saw Mr.. Pet
erson, in an unconscious condition,
falling from his wagon. He rush.
ed to his aid and took him from
the vehicle, while George Schieffer
grabbed the team which had start
ed to run away. Mr.. Schieffer says
he did not feel the shock, nor did
he suffer any i'll results following
the accident. r.
Mr.. Peterson was quite i'll Thurs
day evening and was unable to
work the next day. Brown was al
SO unable to continue his work.
Verne Noble, who was working
on the horseshoe courts at the park,
rushed over to assist the men with
Mr.. Peterson. Up to this time
none Of them had noticed Gray's
condition. When Verne turned
about, he saw the victim on the
ground and he, with others, at
tempted to get the stricken man
into a car. However, noticing his
condition they instead called med
ical aid to the park.
The lightning struck Mr.. Gray
on the right hand side Of the head,
and continued down through his
body. His hat was torn, his trous-
ers were split, his shoes were bad
ly torn mad his hair singed. His
clothing was smouldering when the
men noticed him lying on the
ground.
The accident happened a short
distance west of the N. p. railroad
bridge at the park, and about a
rod north Of the railroad grade. 1t
was a serious shock to the family
and relatives, and the news of the
disaster travelled like wild fire. Both
Martin Peterson and Henry Brown
are up and around and both will be
able to continue their work this
week.
John Vernon Gray, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Jack Gray, was born in Ash
ley Township, July 4, 1899, and was
IS years Of age. He grew to young
manhood on his fathers farm, To-
Gated about ten miles southwest Of
Sank Centre, and was well known
in this community.
He enlisted in the service Of his
country during the World War in
the 5th Cavalry at Melrose, Mimi,
on February IL, 1918, and was hon
orably discharged in the fall OF
1919.
In the spring of 1925 he was unit
ed in marriage to Olive Smith, Of
st. Paul. To this union was born
four children, who with their moth
err, survive. The children, all un-
der seven years Of age, are as fol-
lows: Betty, Norma Leah, Vernet-
ia, and Jacqualine. He is also sur
vived by his mother, Mrs. Jack
Gray, and eight brothers and three
sisters, viz: Paul. Leslie, Guy, Lew
is o., all of Sank Centre; Leland, cf
Garrison; Nolan K, Of Merrifield;
CONTINUED on page four)