Chicago, IL Storms And Lightning, July 1909

LIGHTNING KILLS TWO.

THUNDERSTORM AFTER TORRID DAY IN CHICAGO ADDS TO LIST OF VICTIMS.

Chicago, July 29. -- Two days of torrid weather in this city were broken shortly after noon to-day by a thunderstorm which brought temporary relief. Several deaths resulted either from the storm or the great heat. Thousands of dollars' worth of damage was done to buildings in the city.
With the passing of the cool wave brought by the storm the ambulances and patrol wagons again hurried through the streets for victims of prostration. A maximum temperature of 92 degrees was reached. This swung down to 77 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon and again back to 84 by 6 o'clock. The wind reached a velocity of forty-two miles an hour during the storm, and it was this that caused the great damage to property.
CARL HANSON, a truck farmer, was struck by lightning and killed instantly while trying to escape the rain. THOMAS MADONEY, a butcher, fell dead on the sidewalk in front of his shop. JAMES TURNER, a driver, was struck by lightning while on the seat of a lumber wagon. He was hurled to the road dead.
JOSEPH BEHMAN of Winnetka was prostrated by the heat while fishing from the Kenilworth Pier. He rolled from the pier into the lake and was drowned. MRS. HATTIE HENDERSON and MRS. DOROTHY HARTUNG were struck by an electric light wire that had been blown down by the wind, and were burned seriously. The prostrations, several of which may prove fatal, numbered more than twenty.

The New York Times New York 1909-07-30
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Researched and Transcribed by Stu Beitler. Thank you, Stu!