Ed. W. Tarplee (ca. 1831-1877)

TARPLEE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/24/2012 at 22:12:44

From Nevada Representative June 27, 1877

ACCIDENTS BY LIGHTNING--A number of accidents have taken place in this county this year from the effects of lightning. The last, a fatal one, occurred at Sheldahl on Sunday evening last, resulting in the death of Mr. Ed. Tarplee and the serious injury of his wife, Mrs. Tarplee. The accident occurred just before dark, the lightning strking the chimney of the house, scattering it from top to bottom in a thousand pieces through each end of the house, and passing down through the ceiling, killing Mr. Tarplee instantly and knocking Mrs. Tarplee senseless. Mr. Tarplee was struck upon the side of the face, upon the breast, and then below the knee, tearing his boot to pieces. The lightning then passed along the floor, hitting the bottom's of Mrs. Tarplees feet, and then passing out the side of the house. Three little girls, children of Mr. and Mrs. Tarplee were in the house, the oldest about sixteen years old, who tried to help her mother from the floor, calling to her father for aid, before she discovered that her father was killed. Assistance was immediately rendered, by whom Mrs. Tarplee was carried into the house of Mr. Bryan, but she was yet on Monday, unable to walk, of help herself to any extent, and in fact, is by no means out of danger. Dr. Schooler and kind neighbors are giving her the best of attention, and she will recover if care and good nursing is able to restore her.

Another accident from lightning occurred during the same storm, in Grant township. A cow belonging to Mr. L. Blood, near Mr. Spencer's being killed. More accidents from lightning have occurred this year, than during any other one season since our recollection of the State.