Winn, Lester F.

Lester F. Winn
June 14, 1902-May 10, 1916

Niles Daily Sun, Wednesday, May 10, 1916, page 1, col 6-7, microfilm Niles District Library


    Lester Winn, only son of Mr. and Mrs. George Winn, residing four miles north of Niles, was instantly killed by a lightning stroke about 8 o'clock this morning, as was also the team of horses the young man was driving.
    George Chapman, who had just commenced work at the Winn farm this morning was knocked out of the rear end of the wagon by the stroke that killed young Winn.  The bolt left a red mark like a burn on the left cheek of Mr. Chapman, and his ear drum is supposed to have been broken by the crash. Dr. Bonine, who was consulted, expressing that opinion.
    Mr. Chapman stood within two feet of young Winn, who was driving the team, and while he was knocked backwards onto the ground out of the wagon he suffered no inconvenience whatever aside from the burn on his cheek and the injury to his ear.  He did not lose consciousness and did not feel any effect in any other way than described as a result of the bolt that dealt death to his young companion standing by his side, and the team.
    Mr. Chapman gave the alarm and accompanying Fred Tichenor in the latter's car they drove at once to Niles for medical help.  Dr. Harrison was the first to respond to the call and Drs. Giddings, Tyler and Burns also followed him soon after to the scene of the tragedy, responding to the call for help. The physicians were unable to do anything to bring back the spark of life.
    Mr. Chapman in describing the incidents preceding the tragedy said that he and Lester Winn had gone with the team out into the peach orchard to pick up brush.  They had been there but a short time when the storm came up and it beginning to sprinkle they thought it best to go to the house until after the storm had passed.
    Leaving the orchard they passed through a gate into an open field. Mr. Chapman had just clambered into the rear of the wagon after closing the gate, and had no more than risen to his feet behind young Winn when the fatal bolt struck them.  Mr. Chapman says there was a blinding flash and in a moment he found himself lying on the ground.
    The bolt struck Lester on top of the head, leaving only a slight mark and singing his hair.  When first picked up his body was stiff and rigid, but later relaxed and became limp.
    George Winn, father of Lester, was plowing in an adjoining field at the time of the tragic death of his young son, and Mr. Thomas, John Winn's hired man was at work in the next field and was a witness to the accident.
    All hastened to the scene of the tragedy and assisted in carrying the lifeless body of the young man to the house, where all known means of resuscitation were resorted to before the arrival of the doctor.
    When Mr. Winn reached his son's side the boy's clothing was on fire and was partially torn off.
    It is believed that the lines which the young man held in his hands had become wet in the rain, and the electricity was thus grounded through the boy's body, and the horses and they were thus killed.
    Lester was born on the farm where his tragic death occurred and would have been 14 years old next month.  He attended school in the neighborhood, but was not in school this week, which is the last week for the year.  He was a good student and popular among his associates and was a fine boy in every way.
    Besides his parents he is survived by one sister, Mrs. Olin Steinbauer, who lives almost opposite the home of her parents. Supervisor John Winn is the boy's uncle.
    The storm this morning did not appear to be especially violent and was not felt particularly in the neighborhood in which the tragedy occurred, although three horses which the hired man of John Winn was working in the fields, dropped to their knees when the fatal bolt struck and the horses proved almost unmanageable and he had difficulty in getting them to the barn.