"Killed by Lightning"

When a storm blew up Monday morning, July 26, 1898, Henry Flieg, son of the late Joseph Flieg of Zell, renter of the Bernay Farm about three miles from town, was on Sand Valley Street with his sister and four of his children. They were in the garden near the house getting vegetables. When the storm came nearer they all ran towards the house. Suddenly there was a crash and the lightning struck straight down on Henry Flieg's head. It penetrated his straw hat, tore off some skin on the side of his face, and then ran down the body into one of his shoes, ripping off the top piece of leather and hurling it about ten feet away. Miss Flieg was stunned, but recovered quickly and turning around saw her brother laying facedown flat on the ground. He was dead. Later investigation revealed that the lightning issuing from the shoe had bleached a stretch of weeds and grass. The children were unharmed. Authorities were informed and the inquest was held towards noon. It was discovered that the lightning in its path down Henry's body had hit his pocket watch. The glass was shattered and it stopped running at exactly five minutes before ten o'clock. It never ran again.

The tragic news upset the entire community, for everyone who knew Henry Flieg was his friend, and the various expressions of sympathy for the four small orphans were very numerous. Very recently they had lost their mother in death, and how this tragic accident had left them to the mercy of the world. Mr. Flieg was about thirty-five years old at the time of his death.

The requiem mass for the repose of his soul was held Tuesday morning at 9:30 in the Catholic Church and the body was laid to rest in the Valle Spring Cemetery. He was buried on the lot he had bought for the mother and baby brother. May he rest in peace.