Rochester, New York, USA
1899 - HORSES ELECTROCUTED. Team Attached to Sprinkling Cart Killed by Lightning Bolt.

As one of the results of yesterday's severe storm. Charles W. Hartung, a liveryman, with stables at No. 70 Ontario street, is minus two valuable horses. They were attached to a sprinkling cart and stood under a tree on Portland avenue, formerly North avenue, for shelter. The driver, Valentine Wahl. had stepped across the street to seek shelter under the awning of a store. Suddenly there was a terrific flash, a ball of fire descended, and through the brightness the horses were seen to stagger and fall.

About the same instant. Dr. H. J. Blake,
who was sitting on his porch not far from the tree under which the horses stood, was severely shocked, causing him to fall backwards with great violence. The doctor said he felt no particular pain but was greatly stunned and dazed by the shock for several minutes. It left him very weak,
however, for about half an hour afterward.

When the storm subsided enough to allow of getting near to the prostrate animals it was seen that they were beyond help. The bolt had passed completely through them, killing them instantly. They were marked but little. One had an abrasion over the temple, and the other a sear on the shoulder. It is almost certain that had Wahl been on the wagon he would have been killed.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Rochester, New York
August 22, 1899

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