RILEY, Oramel Saylor 1913-1940

RILEY, PUDER, SMITH, WINTER

Posted By: Betty Hootman (email)
Date: 12/21/2011 at 08:29:29

Fairfield (IA) Ledger
Page 1, Col. 6
30 July 1940

FARM HAND, 27, IS KILLED BY LIGHTNING BOLT

Oramel RILEY of near Farson struck early this morning

Oramel RILEY, 27-year-old farm hand was killed this morning when struck by a bolt of lightning, while doing the morning chores on the Serman Graber farm, Farson. According to reports received in Fairfield of the tragedy, the bolt that hit Riley was the only lightning in the vicinity during the early morning rain storm.

Time of the mishap was set at 5:56, for RILEY's watch found about 50 yards away from his body had stopped at that point. The man's clothing was torn in shreds by the force of the bolt.

With RILEY at the time of the accident was Sherman Garber. The two were bringing in the cows when the bolt struck. The shock knocked Garber unconscious, about 65 yards away from where RILEY was killed. About the same distance away, but on the opposite side of RILEY, one cow was killed by the force of the bolt. Several minutes passed before Garber regained consciousness.

The body was taken to Campbell funeral home in Batavia. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed.

RILEY was born in Competine township in 1913, and had lived in the Farson community all his life. He had worked as a farm hand for a number of years, having been employed on the Garber farm since April 1 of this year.

Surviving are his father, William RILEY of Farson; three brothers, Gerald of Batavia; Ottic of Ottumwa; and Adrian of Farson; and two sisters, Mrs. Velma PUDER of Memphis, Mo.; and Mrs. Vera Smith of BATAVIA. An aunt, Mrs. John E. WINTER, and several cousins reside in Fairfield, at 804 West Grimes Street.

Transcribed for genealogy purposes, Oramel was my uncle.

[Admin. note: Birth year on his gravestone is 1911.]