113 Years Ago
The August 24, 1911 Colorado Transcript described a lightning storm and its tragic aftermath. A barn was struck by lightning and many valuable items in it burned.
The human toll was worse.
Elmer Benson was panning gold in the creek bottoms when the storm came up. He had just picked up his tools and started home when a terrific flash of lightning came. He was rendered unconscious, and does not know how long he lay on the ground in the deluge of rain. When he came to himself one tooth was gone and his face was severely cut. It is believed his injuries were caused by the fall.
Worst of all, a baby died.
The baby was the three days old infant of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Johnson, living near the round house. It is stated that the terrific shock when the lightning bolt struck near caused the death of the infant.
Many thanks to Esther Kettering for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of August.
