When was it published?

August 22, 1849 in Washington Telegraph

Domestic News August 22, 1849

Washington Telegraph

Q: What keywords are associated?

Lightning Strike, Thunderstorm, Macon Georgia, Gold Chain, Providential Escape

Washington, Hempstead County, Arkansas

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What is this article about?

During a severe thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon near Macon, Georgia, Mrs. Wood, wife of Major Henry Wood, was struck by lightning that melted her gold watch chain, damaged the watch, tore her shoes, and scorched her neck and foot, but she recovered after being knocked senseless.

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OCR Quality

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Full Text

WONDERFUL ESCAPE.—During the severe thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon, the wife of Major Henry Wood, who resides about half a mile from Macon, made a most remarkable and providential escape. She was standing in the garden near the house, having on her person at the time a gold watch, with a gold guard chain, which passed round her neck. The electric fluid struck the chain, melting it entirely. From the chain it passed through the watch, partially destroying it. Thence it escaped down her clothing, doing no further damage until it reached the shoes, which were literally torn to pieces. Mrs. Wood was, of course, knocked senseless at the time, but, under the usual remedies, soon after partially recovered, and is doing well. She was severely scorched around the neck, immediately where the chain rested, and was also injured in one of her feet, but in other respects escaped unhurt. We mention particulars in this case, as it is unquestionably more remarkable than any we have ever seen on record.

Macon (Geo.) Messenger 18th.

What sub-type of article is it?

Accident Weather

What keywords are associated?

Lightning Strike Thunderstorm Macon Georgia Gold Chain Providential Escape

What entities or persons were involved?

Major Henry Wood Mrs. Wood

Where did it happen?

Near Macon (Geo.)

Domestic News Details

Primary Location

Near Macon (Geo.)

Event Date

Sunday Afternoon

Key Persons

Major Henry Wood Mrs. Wood

Outcome

mrs. wood knocked senseless, severely scorched around the neck, injured in one foot, gold chain melted, watch partially destroyed, shoes torn to pieces; recovered and doing well.

Event Details

During severe thunderstorm, Mrs. Wood standing in garden near house, lightning struck gold guard chain around neck, passed through watch, down clothing to shoes.