125 years ago

august 17, 1888

One of the most terrific thunderstorms we ever heard visited Marion early Tuesday morning. The lightning was blinding and the thunder deafening. Mr. W.H. Jameson’s home in Jex’s addition was struck by lightning and badly demolished. A part of the south front of the new Y.M.C.A. building was also affected by the storm. It is supposed that the heavy thunder shocks developed an anticipated weakness in one of the iron beams spanning the west storefront causing it and the wall above it to settle an inch or so. We ought to be thankful that the community escaped such a “fiery ordeal” with no loss of life and so little loss of property.

Another big rain is assured in the near future. Grant Township is preparing for a Sunday school picnic and has invited the writer to speak. The heavens always weep on such occasions, doubtless from sympathy for the people.

There is not likely to be a better time than this fall and winter to erect the proposed city building and schoolhouse, or make any other needed city improvements. The city needs the improvement and our mechanics and laborers need the work.

Alex Christie has a mighty fine jewelry store, but he has no jewel in it anything like as precious as the jewel of a boy who came to gladden his home Tuesday.