KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 468, 31 March 1882, Page 19

KILLED BY LIGHTNING.

(Correspondent of Graaf Reinet Advertiser,} Aberdeen, 28th Jan., 1882. The drought has been very severe in some parts of this district, for there has been no rain for months. Farmers have been unable to sow mealies, pumpkins, &c. for want of water. Many in the Kariega ward have been compelled to abandon their farms, and trek with their stock in search of water. But the season for thunderstorms, in this district, has now commenced ; and several have already passed over parts of the district, pouring out their fertilising showers and filling dams and other reservoirs with the precious liquid. Thonderstorms have been anxiously desired by many a thirsty soul in this district, this season. But, while they do an immense amount of good, yet they have their dark side. And the sad intelligence has been brought into town today that, a farmer and bis wife have both been struck dead by lightning. Jan E6terhuizen, of Steinbokvlakte, a farm about 20 miles to the west of Aberdeen, in company with his wife, about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon, went from their house to a dam about 200 or 300 yards distant, to watch a stream of water flowing into it from a distant part •where rain had recently fallen. The dam had been nearly, or quite, emptied by the drought ; and they would naturally feel anxious to have Unfilled again. But the thunderstorm, which was in their neighbourhood, appeared to be receding further from them. Suddenly a flash of lightning darted across the heavens and killed them both. Some people on an adjoining farm say that they were watching the storm, that they observed a small cloud, detached from the mass, and nearer Esterhuizen's house. And while they wer« watching they mw a flash of lightning proceed from the small cloud in an oblique direction towards Esterhuizen's house. This was the only flash of lightning they observed in that immediate neighbourhood. Esterhuizen, although owner of the farm and possessor of considerable flocks, doee not appear to have had any servants. (Perhaps

he was not singular in that respect.) His children those who were able tended the flocks ; and were at that time so employed. One of the younger children discovered his parents at the dam, and was greatly alarmed by seeing his father's hair and clo'hes burning. He immediately ran and called one of his signers, who came, and, in extinguishing the fire, burned her hands. She then called her eldest sister, who was tending a flock of sheep, and told her what had happened. t?he immediately caught two horses, spanned them into the cart, and drove to her Uncle's for help. She had to travel more than twelve miles. Help did not come until long after dark. The corpses were then conveyed to the house, and grave-clothe 3 pnt on them ; and they were laid Bide by side, ready for the inspection of the District Surgeon and Resident Magistrate, to whom the intelligence was soon communicated by Mr. Sbipmao, a neighbour residing on the next farm. Since he beard of the sad event Mr. Shipman has done all that could be done by ordering the coffins, and sending messengers to various members of the family, and in other ways. A family of six or seven children, whose ages range from 18 years down to 7 months, is suddenly deprived of both parents by one fell stroke.