LIGHTNING STRUCK BARN
Horses knocked down and stunned by the bolt
Big Building on John L. McGrath Farm Set Afire During the Storm Thursday

A big barn on the farm of John L. McGrath in Dayton township, was struck by lightning during Thursday afternoon’s storm, and was saved through the timely efforts of several men at the McGrath home.

The people saw the bolt hit the building and in its freak maneuvers made a circuit of the inside, knocking several of the horses to the ground and setting the place afire.

The men rushed to the building with buckets of water and wet blankets and had the blaze extinguished shortly. The barn is occupied by stock, hay and implements, and is a very large one. Mr. McGrath is the possessor of several blue blood horses, one of which was knocked down and stunned by the bolt Thursday.

It has always been the custom of the McGrath household to watch the place during electrical storms and the idea proved its worth Thursday.¹

1. The Free Trader, August 21, 1914, p. 5, col. 5