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- THE DEATH FROM LIGHTNING
AT THE GREENOUGH
FÜLL PARTICULARS
The Victorian Express of the 22nd inst, gives full particulars of the death of Charlotte Hayden, third daughter of Mr James Hayden, of Tibradden, who, as mentioned in our columns last Saturday, was struck by lightining at the Greenough on the 20th inst.The deceased had just returned from school with her two cousins, and, as usual, repaired to the kitchen to serve up dinner for herself and schoolmates. Having arranged three plates in order, she removed a saucepan from the fire, and, one hand on the saucepan and a spoon in the other, Was in the act of removing the food from the saucepan to the plates when a fearful flash of lightning came, accom- panied by a tremendous clap of thunder
The flash and thunder so startled the other occupants of the room, Mrs. Warrener and Miss Warrener, that they made for the door. On Miss Warrener looking round she saw Charlotte Hayden lying flat on her back with her arms laid straight alongr side, or as was described to me, " just as if she had been laid out," apparently dead. Efforts were made to restore her to consciousness by Mrs and Miss Warrener, and a messenger. was despatched for the Rev. J.E.. Harston, who lives near.
This gentleman tried his utmost to rouse the poor girl from her comatose state, although he believed her to be dead. Dr. Boyes arrived some time after, his arrival being delayed by his failing to understand the Chinese messenger who was sentr him. The doctor at once pronounced the girl to be dead, and stated his belief that death was instantaneous. The deceased was not at all afraid of lightning, and seemed amused at the other inmates of the house being alarmed at it. Just before the poor giri was killed, she was heard to, say, " ''Tis the thunder that frights, but the lightning that strikes ; " these wore her last words.
Her cousin, a little girl of nine, was standing quite close to the table along side of her when the fatitlity occurred, but was not injured. Miss Phyllis Warnener, who was reading a letter in the sitting room when the fatal flash came ,felt a sere shock, her head being thrown violently backwards against the wall. Sydney Mester, a boy qf twelve, who was in another room adjoining the kitchen, describes the lightning as coming in at the window and running along the floor. The house contains four rooms, and it is apparent that the. lightning struck the top of the chimney of the front room, displacing, a lot of bricks rushed down the chimney and into every room, and expended itself on the body of the deceased girl.
The house was roofed with galvanized iron which no doubt attracted the lightning. The deceased girl was of a bright and cheerful disposition and the life of the school, being ever foremost in enlivening the hour allowed for recreation at they school. She was moreover a most regular attendant at Sunday-school, and will be much missed by her sorrowing companions. Much sympathy is expressed for her parents, brothers and sisters.Mrs Hayden is quite broken down with grief. Mr. Hayden is away in the bush. [1]
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1877 - February 20, 1890, aged 12 years and 2 months
