Chicago, IL Lightning Strike, Jul 1901

ELEVEN ELECTROCUTED

One Stroke of Lightning Cause of Death.

ANOTHER IS FATALLY INJURED.

The Twelve Had Taken Refuge From Thunderstorm Under an Old Shanty Which Was Totally Destroyed - The Bodies Not Identified.

Chicago, July 2. -- Eleven boys were instantly killed and one fatally hurt by lightning yesterday afternoon on a pier at the foot of Buena terrace, north of Lincoln park.

This pier is a favorite fishing resort. When the storm began, 12 boys huddled for shelter from the rain beneath a shanty covered with zinc which they had themselves erected for just such an emergency.

The bolt tore the pier, and the boys were caught in the debris, which burned fiercely even in the blinding rain. All but one of the unfortunate fishermen were roasted to death, and he escaped only for what the doctors think is a more lingering fate.

A policeman, attracted to the pier by the crashing timbers, found it impossible to rescue any of the victims. The heavy timbers of the pier had been shattered, and the whole structure toppled into the water. He hurried to a patrol box and called for assistance.

Nearly half an hour elapsed before aid arrived. The work of recovering the bodies was extremely difficult, but finally all were carried ashore.
Owing to the terrific thunderstorm prevalent the work of identification was extremely slow.

The fatal stroke was the most powerful seen here in years. The pier was demolished in a trice, giving the boys not the slightest chance to escape.
In age the victims ranged from 12 to 15 years.

Ogdensburg Advance and St. Lawrence Weekly Democrat New York 1901-07-02
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!