Lightning

[CagneyBT]

I came across this news item while researching the farm at Gardner’s Neck.

Aug. 3, 1878, Fall River Daily Evening News: On Gardner’s Neck, Swansea, at 20 minutes past 7, lightning struck the summer residence of Mr. Wm. M. Almy of this city, tearing open the roof in several places, leaving holes large enough for a man to pass through and scattering the shingles in every direction. Seven persons were in the house at the time, but none of them were injured. Mr. Almy and his wife and three others were in the story below, within about fifteen feet of the lightning. He says when it struck the house, a black cloud seemed to fill the rooms for an instant, followed by a strong smell of sulfur. The family of Mr. Andrew Borden, who occupied the cottage adjacent, saw the bolt strike the house of Mr. Almy and for a few moments, were in an intense state of anxiety, fearing that some of the inmates were killed. Fortunately, however, no serious results were experienced by any one on the premises, though all had a very narrow escape.