Russell Sage Tells Just What Happened

SAGE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 7/9/2014 at 16:44:18

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
July 4, 1924

RUSSELL SAGE TELLS
JUST WHAT HAPPENED

Editors of Herald:

As there are lots of wild rumors concerning our experiences of Friday evening last, we will try to give you the straight of the story.

As we were sitting in the porch about nine o'clock, a ball of lightning burst from the sky and struck a large locust tree which it completely destroyed. As it came down to about 4 feet from the ground, it left the trunk and rolled on the ground for about 20 feet towards us, where it exploded knocking us all unconscious. Though all of us were slightly burned, none were serious. The lawn for several rods around was covered with splinters also a small hole was punctured in a screen and window glass above our heads. On investigation the next morning we found ground glass, bits of screen and little black pebbles, about the size of buckshot, carrying a strong brim stone odor.

We care for no repetition of the same experience and consider ourselves lucky to be alive.

Russell Sage
Searsboro, Ia.