Obituary -Joseph Smith, Bremer Co.,Iowa

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	Transcribed by Barb Braun, February 13, 2000.  
	Questions, please Email: seawave8@hotmail.com

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BREMER COUNTY, IOWA
OBITUARIES 1878-1984

This material was obtained at the Waverly Public Library in a loose-leaf notebook
 entitled: PLAINFIELD AND BREMER COUNTY, IOWA OBITUARIES 1878-1984.  
Compiled by HAROLD BRIGGS,  Includes materials collected by Mrs. CAROLINE HICKS.  
Indexed by:  LISA GROTE, JANINE FREESE, SALLY SCHWEER AND ADRIENNE LAWLOR.  
Dated: July, 1984, PATRICIA COFFIE, Director. 

Transcription Note:  The origin of this obituary is not known.  The date was 
hand written on the top of the article.  
KILLED BY LIGHTNING

Eighteen-year-old Boy Struck
By the Death-Dealing Electric Current
________________________________________________________________________________

UNTIMELY DEATH OF JOSEPH SMITH

Dated:  July 12th, 1899

   Jos. Smith, the eighteen-year-old son of Wm and Mary Smith, living four miles 
north-east of here, was instantly killed by lightning about one o'clock yesterday 
afternoon.  The accident happened in the door-yard of the Quade farm, a short 
distance from the Smith farm, and where the lad had gone to work that afternoon.  
Young Smith, together with Mr. And Mrs. Quade, was standing under a shade tree 
waiting for the storm, which was not severe, to pass over so they might go at 
their work.  Mr. Quade had turned to go into the house, saying, "we had better 
go into the house and wait until the shower is over," when a sharp and wicked 
looking flash of lightning struck a nearby poplar tree to which a wire clothes-line 
was attached and fastened to another tree some fifteen or twenty feet away.  
-but not the one under which the trio had taken shelter, and fully twenty-five feet 
distant.  The fatal electric flash struck the tree and ran down to the point where 
the wire was attached and in passing over the wire, glanced from it, striking Smith 
and killing him instantly.  As strange as it may see, the Quades were not even shocked 
by the deadly current and the only ill effects they felt from it was a stifling and 
smothering sensation which was almost instantly over and all was clear to them and 
when they beheld the awful fate of their companion.  The lad was carried into the 
house and a messenger despatched [sic] to the nearest telephone to call a physician, 
all in the hope that the boy was only serlously[sic] shocked and might by immediate 
and proper medical attention be made to rally.  Dr. Seymour was called and responded 
immediately, but almost at the first glance at the prostrate form, realized how vain 
had been the hopes of the anxious relatives and friends, as it was plainly evident 
that death had resulted instantly.  The awful flash freighted with its deadly current 
struck its victim in the side of the neck, passing down to the shoulder.  
    Joseph Smith was an exceptionally bright and industrious young man, very popular
among all who knew him, and a source of much pride and comfort to his parents, to all 
of whom his sudden and untimely death comes as a terrible shock.  The family has the 
deepest sympathy of their many friends and neighbors. 
   Funeral services will be held at the Horton Baptist church this (Thursday)
afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Smock of Waverly. 
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Transcribed by Barb Braun, February 13, 2000.  
Any questions, please Email: seawave8@hotmail.com