Berrien county News:

“We are sorry to state that Miss Swindle, daughter of Mr. James Swindle, of this county, was killed by lightning on Thursday morning of last week.  From Mr. Joe Morris, who gave us the facts, we learn that Mr. Swindle and two of his daughters were planting out potato draws a short distance from the house.  A thunder cloud was approaching near, which caused them to leave their work, and while going to the house, an electric current descended upon her head, and passing down the breast, left the body and went into the ground.  She fell to the ground lifeless and was borne to the house by her father, where every effort was made to restore her, but without success.  Those who dressed her said her neck seemed to be broken.  In the crown of her bonnet was a small hole burned by the lightning, and a place on the head of equal size.  The hair entirely burnt off.  From thence the current passed by the ear, when it seemed to skip to the breast, and passing about half way down to the body, left it entirely.  To a wet cloth that was applied to the burned parts, the skin adhered, showing that the heat was intense and had penetrated deep in the flesh.  The scene was one heartrending in the extreme, and especially so to the loving sister, who fainted as she came into the yard to relate the sad news of her sister’s death.  Twice she went off into a swoon before she recovered from the terrible shock of overwhelming grief.”