I found the following news account at the Decatur Co., IA site, USGenWeb (RootsWeb) and thought that it might be an interesting item to post. You always hear that lightning is a lot more dangerous than people realize and I guess this situation provides some proof for that. David Myers ============================ Decatur County Journal. June 2l, l888. KILLED BY LIGHTNING. S.A. GARBER IS STRUCK BY LIGHTNING AND INSTANTLY KILLED WHILE ON THE ROAD HOME FROM LEON. The community was startled on last Thursday afternoon when the news came announcing that SAMUAL [sic] A. GARBER, of Center Township, had been killed by lightning. At that time this vicinity was visited by a thunderstorm and shortly before the rain began to fall, MR. GARBER, in company with his daughter, FANNIE, got into their buggy and started for home. When near the OSCAR BRAN place, one and one-half miles northeast of Leon, a clap of thunder came, followed by a sharp flash of lightning which struck and instantly killed MR. GARBER. He was thrown to the ground, leaving his daughter in the buggy, who was stunned by the shock, while the team commenced to run and would have probably done a great deal of damage to life and property had it not been for the timely assistance of HARVE RAMBO, who had stopped at the BRAN place until after the storm. He saw the team running at full speed up the road and going out, he succeeded in stopping them. He at once proceeded to look after the lady in the buggy but was told to go and look after her father. An investigation proved that he was dead, being killed by lightning striking him at the base of the brain, fracturing the skull, which of course, must have been instant death. No other marks were visible. SAMUEL A. GARBER was an old settler in Decatur County and was one of the active, well-to-do farmers of Center Township, and was an Elder in the German Baptist Church for many years. He has resided for many years at the present home of the family, three miles northeast of Leon and was at the time of death in his 57th year. The funeral was held Saturday morning at l0 o'clock from the residence and was largely attended by friends from all over the county. REV. HOLDER, of Batavia, conducted the ceremonies. The remains were interred in the Franklin Township Cemetery. His daughter, FANNIE, who was in the buggy at the time of the accident, narrowly escaped the same fate as her father and though she was not killed, she did not entirely escape injury. As soon as possible after the accident, DR. W. VAN WERDEN was sent for who pronounced her condition a serious one, but by the proper treatment she would recover. At this writing she is doing nicely. Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert . ____________________________________________________________ Click here to save cash and find low rates on auto loans. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/Ioyw6i3ndyIUDFUph0IId55zfxnaqLRYANjsRD2TrYmtnjrcbhpmWU/