On Sunday, July 2d, during a violent thunder storm, the house of Josiah G. Maxson, Brookfield, Madison Co., was struck by lightning which passed from the top to the ground upon both sides of the house, shivering timbers and boards to atoms in its course. Marilla, a daughter in the sixteenth year of her age, who was standing near the door upon the south side of the house, was killed instantly and without a moment's warning, receiving nearly the whole charge, which passed from the roof into the back part of her head burning her hair and causing a severe wound, thence it passed down upon both sides of the body and came out at the centre of the heel of the right foot, passing through the botton of the shoe into the ground. It rent her clothes to atoms and left marks and wounds the whole length of the body, which shows the tremendous effects of that dreadful agent. Her sister Artemissia, in the seventh year of her age, when found, was lying apparently lifeless by her side. They were not seen by any person when they fell, and were first discovered by their brother who went to the door in search of them. He immediately placed them upn the bed and by the application of cold water, the younger sister was so far recovered as to be able to breathe, but remained apparently in the agonies of death for the space of two hours, and continued unconscious of surrounding object about twelve hours. Hopes are now entertained of her complete recovery. ...
