A Freakish Bit of Lightning Enters a Coal Mine and Stuns Two Miners

Brazil, Ind., June 15. – One of the most wonderful freaks of lightning ever recorded in Clay County occurred at No. 4 Mine at Center Point yesterday. Wm. BUCHOLTZ and Fred MULLER of this city, who were putting in water pipes, were nearly electrocuted. The mine is about 125 feet deep, and they were working about 1,400 feet from the shaft when a bolt of lightning entered the mine and followed the pipe to where the men were at work. Both of them were rendered insensible for a short time but finally recovered from the shock. By the time the work was suspended for the day, both men had so far recovered as to be able to come home. They arrived in the city in a badly shaken up condition and hardly knew what struck them. Some say the fluid entered the shaft and followed the pipes, but both men say it came straight down through the earth. They were evidently in the hole when it came and were much relieved when they got out. (Note: the date was not given; however, it was prior to Jan. 4, 1909, when Wm. BUCHOLTZ died at the age of 64, as stated in Volume I of the Wm. Travis 1909 History of Clay County.)

Close this window to return to the website