Lakeview, IL Lightning Strike, Jul 1901

LIGHTNING KILLS ELEVEN

Ten Boys and One Man Struck Dead Under a Chicago Pier.

Had Been Fishing and Sought Refuge From a Storm – Bodies Mixed in a Tangled Mass.

Chicago. -- Huddled under Montrose Pier, a mile above the north end of Lincoln Park, ten boys and one man were struck dead in a heap by lightning which swept Lakeview. A twelfth victim, a boy, was found alive under the pile of bodies. He was unconscious and badly burned. He was taken as rapidly as possible to the Alexian Brothers' Hospital.

The survivor is WILLIAM ANDERSON. He regained consciousness at the hospital, but is paralyzed from the hips down. He was so weak he could hardly talk, but he gave the names of two of his comrades who were killed. They are FRITZ KUSEL, eleven years old, Robey and Addison streets; GEORGE BRAVHAM, twelve years old, Robey and Addison streets.

The victims had been fishing and enjoying the cooling breezes, and when the storm came up they got under the pier for safety. The lightning which caused the accident burned out all the telephone wires in the neighborhood.

The Cranbury Press New Jersey 1901-07-05
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!