Trending
Bode Farm Near Courtland
Struck By Lightning
Two Times
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TELEPHONE MEN BUSY REPAIRING TROUBLE
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Very Little Damage Found
At Local Light And
Power Plant
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One of the most curious freaks of Nature reported this year occurred Saturday morning between the hours of seven and eight o'clock on the Herman Bode farm two miles east of Courtland. Light-ning struck on that farm in two different places within the short space of five minutes time. A large modern barn burned to the ground and the damage will run into thousands of dollars. A large tree was also splintered by a bolt of lightning and will be chopped down. Damage resulted in this city Saturday 8as a result of the storm altho no serious losses have been reported.
Strikes Tree First
The thunder shower in the vicinity of Courtland seemed to center about the old Theodore Lange farm, now operated by Herman Bode. Shortly after seven o'clock members of the family believed that a bolt of lightning had struck very close to the house and looking from the windows saw that a tree standing about fifty feet from the residence had been splintered from top to bottom along one side.
Second Bolt Hits Barn
Hardly had they recovered from this shock until another fearful crash sounded and Mr. Bode looked from the window to see the barn which was standing about 130 feet west of the house, burst into flames. Mr. Bode rushed to the burning structure and succeeded in freeing three horses and six calves which were on the first floor of the barn. Mrs. Bode hurried to the telephone and gave a general line call asking their neighbors to lend their assistance. Within a very few minutes neighbors arrived and the harness and other property stored in the barn was carried out.
Lose Feed and Hay
The barn was a splendid wood structure measuring 36 by 60 feet. A full basement in the barn was used for storage, etc., while the hay loft held about 60 loads of new hay which had been put up this year. More than 1,000 bushels of oats harvested this year, also burned. The barn and contents were partly covered with insurance but a heavy loss will be sustained. Plans are being made for rebuilding the barn and the work will start as soon as possible. It seems that the jynx is residing on the Bode farm this fall. Five weeks ago Mrs. Bode was in the barn assisting with the milking and the cows crowded her into the manger, breaking her left leg. She is getting along nicely and manages to step on the injured member now, but has to use crutches to get around.
Old Theory Fails
Apparently the old theory that lightning strikes the highest point, is untrue. Just a few feet from the barn stands a high windmill which is also higher than the tree which was struck. Tall trees protected the barn as well as the house but this time they failed to fulfill their duty. Residents in this vicinity state that they have never before heard of an instance when lightning struck twice within such a short time and in such close territory.
Damage In New Ulm
Manager L. A. Mills and his capable assistants have been working double quick time ever since Saturday trying to repair the damage to the telephone lines caused by Saturday morning's storm. Fifty-four cases of trouble were reported for this city alone, and many calls came from the rural subscribers.East of Courtland four telephone poles were struck, one after the other,and it was necessary to replace poles and wires: This work takes considerable time but it will be all cleared up before the end of the week. "Pete" Herrian took his vacation just at this time and the worst of it is he wasn't satisfied to take just his vacation but he had to take the Wire Chief's assistant and they got married, leaving the force at the Rural Exchange office rather short.
Fire Department Called
At six-thirty Saturday morning the fire department was called to 127 North Payne Street where the lightning had struck a telephone wire which lead from the cable into the Henry Hellmann residence. The insulation was burning on the wire and fearing that serious damage might result, some one turned in the fire alarm. There was nothing to be done after the fire laddies arrived on the scene.
New Ulm Review
September 1, 1926