Iowa Old Press
Sheldon News
Sheldon, O'Brien Co. Iowa
July 17, 1884
A Fatal Stroke.
Sioux City Journal -- "A heavy thunder storm passed
over Sheldon Friday forenoon. During the storm a house of a
farmer named Hanson, six miles east of town, was seen to be on
fire. A neighbor climbed on the roof of the kitchen shed, through
which the flames were coming, and put out the fire, which had
been kindled by the lightening in a partition. Failing to rouse
anyone in the house, he opened the door. Four people were lying
on the floor, apparently dead. Mrs. Hanson and a man who was
working on the farm, were found to be still breathing and
presently recovered consciousness. Hanson and his son were both
dead. The boy showed no marks of the bolt that had killed him.
The father bore only a slight burn on the top of his head.
His lip was cut and bleeding, but this was probably from falling.
Mrs. Hanson, left in an instant a childless widow, is still
suffering much from the stroke." The funeral service was
conducted by Rev. Brintnall on Sabbath and attended by an immense
throng of people. Owing to the warm weather it was found
necessary, however, to bury the bodies on the preceding
afternoon.
[Submitted by D.L., October 2003
Submitter notes: John Hanson is the son (11/4/1848 - 7/11/1884),
described as "the boy" in the article. His father was
Hans Wilhelmsen (6/19/1821 -7/11/1884), although in the article
he is named Mr. Hanson.]