Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1954-07-23
Severe Storms Hit County,
Lightning-Hai Damage High
Barn Burns Some
Livestock Killed


London and vicinity had its Sec
ond severe wind, rain and electri-
cal storm within a week, when
the elements really cut loose be-
tween four and five o'clock Tues
day, following a day of intense
heat.
Worst fire damage learned, was
the destruction of a large barn
on the Clyde Johnson farm, Glade
Run Road, east of London, which
was struck by lightning about
$50 o'clock. Exact dimensions of
the large old structure were not
learned. The building was razed,
5000 bales of hay stored within
it we're lost as we'll as quantity
of small farm machinery Seven
teen head of cattle and two wag-
ons were saved. The building was
partially covered by insurance
and all chattels were said to be
covered, by member of the fam
lily.
The community fire truck, from
London, in charge of Bob Stewart,
answered the call, but was unable
to save the barn.
Two years ago this last May,
another large barn on the John
son farm was struck by lightning
and destroyed by fire.
Lightning also killed seven
lambs and two ewes owned by
Dave Andrews, that were hud-
died under a tree in the yard at
the Madison County Children's
Home, where the Andrews family
resides.
Reports from both telephone
and light officials in London state
that the damage of the second
storm was comparable to the
first, in amount of time taken to
repair the loss.
At the Ohio Edison office the
first call for lights out" was re-
ceived about 4:45 Tuesday after
noon and from then on linemen
were out until about two o'clock
Wednesday morning, re-establish-
ing service for approximately 40
transformers that were reported
to them, D. NJ. Mustard, London
branch manager stated,
Area affected was again largely
to the north, east and south, Mr..
Mustard said, linemen working in
a scattered area throughout We'd
nesday, to repair struggling dam
age of reported interrupted serv-
ice.
= C. ]. Eichman, wire chief of
London branch of the Ohio Bell
Telephone Company, stated that
his men started work to repair
lines about four o'clock Tuesday
afternoon, worked until well after
dark; began again at daylight
Wednesday and hoped to have the
most of the mess" cleaned UP
by Thursday afternoon.
A great part of their work was
caused by cable trouble in the
vicinity of West Jefferson, where
lightning burned through, leaving
wires exposed to the heavy down
pour, according to Mr.. Eichman
Service in that area was said tc
be interrupted for several hours
Around London vicinity, wires
were down because of branches oi
trees blown down by the high
wind
Lightning caused minor diff
Guilty in some places, coming into
homes on the wires, blowing fuses
and such.
The London fire truck answered
a call to the Ralph Booth double
on Springfield road, where light
ming ran into the wiring of ar
electric stove but did not cause
any real trouble, according t.
firemen.
Hail damage was reported il
several localities. Worst hit are;
was in Madison Local school dis
trict where corn was said to b.
cut to ribbons by hail. Some othe
portions of the county were hi
BY hail but most farmers agreet
that the rain was welcome, hal
or no hail.
Max Maggied Dies
Suddenly July, 20