Struck By Lightning

JESS

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 6/4/2009 at 10:55:23

Jackson Sentinel, April 24, 1890.

STRUCK BY LIGHTNING

During the passage of the electric storm on Sunday afternoon, the residence of William Jess, near Bernard, was struck by lightning-fairly wrecking the residence. Mrs. William Jess was in an upper chamber when the electric bolt struck the north side of the building, passing through the attic, thence through the room occupied by Mrs. Jess, who received a shock that rendered her unconscious, and when discovered she was taken up for dead. She remained in an unconscious state until early Monday morning, and at this writing is suffering great pains and is in a precarious condition. Her escape from sudden death was certainly miraculous, for the electric current singed her hair and tore the shoes on her foot to shreds, and yet, strange to say, did not mar the flesh of her foot.

Mr. Jess, the children and persons to the number of six or seven were not injured although the electric bolt passed through the room occupied by him. It was a singular freak of lightning in the fact that it seemed to have scattered all over the house, which is quite a large building, and fairly wrecked it. The attic was set on fire by the bolt and was promptly put out. It knocked one side of the house almost completely out, splintering beams and joists in every direction, and knocked the pillars from the porch on the south side of the building. It was a disastrous stroke and a miraculous escape for Mr. and Mrs. Jess and family.- Cascade Pioneer