Lightning and Murder

Lightning and Murder - what do they have in common?  Siblings. 

In June of 1899, Preston, age 19, was crossing a bridge in Lehigh County.  Some young men, sometimes referred to as a gang or thugs in the newspaper articles, were drinking beer and singing songs on the bridge.  The young men had been terrorizing locals passing on the bridge so much so that Preston carried a handgun on the advice of his uncle.  While Preston crossed the bridge a gunshot rang out.   He continued home.

On the bridge, a 25 year old man, James, bled to death.  He died before anyone could do anything to help him.

The next day Preston heard about a man killed on the bridge by a gunshot.  He confessed to shooting his gun, but claimed it was in self-defense.  He said the young men on the bridge were going to rob him so he shot his gun as a warning and left.  He claimed to have no idea that he actually shot someone.

Preston had a stellar reputation.  As the local people heard about the event, they came to Preston's defense.  The newspaper stated that any amount of bail money could be raised if needed because of the belief in Preston and the fear of the 'gang' of young men by the citizens.

His reputation helped his case as he was acquitted of murder.  The men on the bridge claimed they didn't do anything to Preston as he passed on the bridge but their reputation for harassing the locals had to be prominent in Preston's defense. 

When Preston was acquitted the newspaper said "two pretty girls' cried.  One was his girlfriend and the other was his 14 year old sister. 

Near the end of July, this pretty sister was struck by a bold of lightning in the early evening.  The early newspapers use more details in describing events than newspapers do today.  The bolt was described as glancing off of a tree striking Anna in the head, passing through her body and nearly pulling her newly ripped shoes off of her.  Her clothes were on fire.  One of her friends put out the fire, but there was no hope for the nearly 15 year old girl.

I can't imagine the emotions this family must have experienced with these two events.  A few months later Preston was sued by the father of James.  He claimed he was disabled and James was his source of income.  I never found an article to let me know how this 'non-suit' turned out.  Maybe the term 'non-suit' tells me.

Preston went on in life to marry and have children while being a responsible citizen.  The young men who terrorized the locals on the bridge moved elsewhere and the bridge became safe again.

My information comes from several articles in the Allentown Leader and Allentown Democrat, 1899.