A remarkable instance of the destructive effects of lightning happened at Johnstown on Thursday last, about 4 o'clock, PM. Mr. Arnold Fenner, of that town, being at work in his field, near his barn, entered it, accompanied by his father, two children, and a young man that lived with him, to shelter themselves from a shower of rain. They seated themselves on the floor; the wind rising, they shut all the doors except one, which opened to an alley that led by the stable, at the west end. The father rose from the floor, and took a seat on a cask standing in the alley, near the door, sitting there some time; his son left the floor, coming out through the alley; the passage being narrow, the father rose from his seat and stood up, the son pressing against him to pass by. At the instant, when the father and son were close together, a flash of lightning stuck the roof, at the western gable end, parting all the planks from the rafters, and striking the son lifeless in an instant, leaving no other mark than a little hair burnt on the top of his head. His father caught him in his arms, having himself received no injury. His horse, standing in the stable, about three feet from him, was also struck dead at the same instant; some other horses that were in the barn were not hurt. the barn was left on fire and consumed, together with about twelve tons of hay and oats, some flax, about twenty bushels of rye, and all the farming utensils.
A remarkable instance of the destructive effects of lightning happened at Johnstown on Thursday last, about 4 o'clock, PM. Mr. Arnold Fenner, of that town, being at work in his field, near his barn, entered it, accompanied by his father, two children, and a young man that lived with him, to shelter themselves from a shower of rain. They seated themselves on the floor; the wind rising, they shut all the doors except one, which opened to an alley that led by the stable, at the west end. The father rose from the floor, and took a seat on a cask standing in the alley, near the door, sitting there some time; his son left the floor, coming out through the alley; the passage being narrow, the father rose from his seat and stood up, the son pressing against him to pass by. At the instant, when the father and son were close together, a flash of lightning stuck the roof, at the western gable end, parting all the planks from the rafters, and striking the son lifeless in an instant, leaving no other mark than a little hair burnt on the top of his head. His father caught him in his arms, having himself received no injury. His horse, standing in the stable, about three feet from him, was also struck dead at the same instant; some other horses that were in the barn were not hurt. the barn was left on fire and consumed, together with about twelve tons of hay and oats, some flax, about twenty bushels of rye, and all the farming utensils.
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