While we seldom hear of people being struck dead by lightning today, in the past it was rather common. From people stepping out in storms to running around as lightning is flashing overhead, read about deaths by lightning was once very common.
1. Inside a Granary
News from out of Clay Center, Kansas, tells us that in the summer of 1916, 11 deaths were caused by lightning strike during a storm.
“3 men killed, 3 injured, and 8 horses killed when lightning struck a granary.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 18 July 1916.
2. Under a Tree
There’s a damn good reason why we are never supposed to stand under a tree during a lightning storm. The following happened near Chicago in the summer of 1912:
“Ezra Haines, 10, killed when lightning struck a tree under which he was standing.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 10 July 1912.
3. Running to Shelter
We are also told to never run in a storm because the very worst can happen. The following happened in Chicago in the summer of 1916:
“J. Jass was killed by lightning as he was running to shelter at 13th and the lake.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 20 July 1916.
4. Standing Outside His Door
The following gentleman was merely standing outside his door in New Mexico during the summer of 1907 when lightning struck him dead.
“Last Sunday at noon, at his home on the Sweetwater, fifteen miles southwest of Springer, Teodorio Casias was instantly killed by lightning. He had only been home a little while from Cimarron, and was standing outside the door of his residence looking up at the clouds, which were threatening rain, when a bolt of lightning descended, killing him instantly.
“The unfortunate man was 26 years of age, leaving a young wife, father and mother and several brothers and sisters to mourn his untimely death. He was a son of Victorio Casias.”
Source: The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. (Tucumcari, N.M.), 03 Aug. 1907.
5. Survived the Civil War
Abijah Scott survived the Civil War only to be struck down by lightning in 1913 as he was preparing for a reunion at Gettysburg. The report reads:
“Waynesburg, Pa. — Abijah Scott, 75, veteran of the Civil War, struck and killed by lightning as he was preparing for reunion at Gettysburg.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 25 June 1913.
6. One By Lightning and One By Fright
Two deaths happened during a severe storm in Ohio, 1914.
“Torrential rain and lightning storm caused two deaths and heavy property damage in Northern Ohio. Mrs. Drake, 70, struck and killed by lightning at Van Wert. Mrs. F. Elward at Findlay died of fright during the storm.”
Source: The day book. (Chicago, Ill.), 12 May 1914.
7. While Crossing the Road
A young 16-year-old was struck and killed by lightning as she was crossing the road to a neighbor’s house. This tragic event happened in Kansas, 1895.
“Word was brought to town Monday that during the storm on Sunday the daughter of Jas. Riley, living a little north of Piqua, was struck and instantly killed by lightning. The girl who was about 16 years old, had started to go to a neighbor’s nearby and the bolt fell upon her as she was crossing the road. We are unable to learn farther details.”
Source: The Iola register. (Iola, Allen County, Kansas), 11 Sept. 1895.
8. The Lightning Baby
The photo below was published in 1914.
The text reads:
“The lightning baby. Superintendent Elder, of the Georgia Baptist Hospital, Atlanta, holding baby George Sweet, whose father and mother were killed by lightning last summer. One of the babe’s feet was burned off by the bolt, and the toes of the other destroyed. The baby is now offered for adoption with the proviso that the applicant must have at least $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in love.”
Source: The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]), 24 Feb. 1924.
9. Dollie and Her Horse
In South Dakota, 1906, a woman and her horse were reportedly struck and killed by lighting.
“We regret to report Dollie Randall was killed by lightning. She was found July 2nd. The horse she rode was also killed. Her relatives supposed she was visiting. She was evidently dead several days when found.”
Source: The Oglala light. ([Pine Ridge, S.D.]), 01 July 1906.
10. Unfortunate Child Killed By Lightning
I absolutely hate new reports like the following, but here it is. A 15-year-old boy at a children’s home was killed by lightning in 1920:
“Carl Joseph Rowe, aged 15 years, an inmate of the Licking County Children’s Home, was instantly killed by lightning while in the garden Saturday morning. He, together with a number of other boys, was assisting an employee in the garden, and to escape a sudden storm the party started to take shelter in a nearby tool house, which most of them reached in safety. While still some distance from the house, little Carl was struck by lightning and killed. In January, 1919, Carl and his 12-year-old sister Mary were placed in the home by their mother, Mrs. Florence Rowe, at that time a widow, but since remarried, and whose present place of residence is unknown, and efforts are being made by the superintendent to locate her.”
Source: Newark leader. ([Newark, Ohio]), 06 Aug. 1920.
