During the electric storm yesterday afternoon a Lewiston man and two boys were struck by lightning, and while the two were not badly injured, one received a terrible shock and is now lying in a critical condition at his home, 420 Lisbon St. The persons injured are Napoleon Dutil, a well known truckman in the city, his son Anede Dutil, who is 15 years of age, and the son of Issaac Leclair, also of this city. These three persons were in the barn of Mr. Obe on the Webster road about three miles out of the city, waiting for the shower to pass over. They were seated in chairs when suddenly all three were struck by lightning and knocked prostrate on the floor. A large silver watch which Napoleon Dutil carried in his vest pocket was all that saved his life. The electric bolt struck the watch leaving a deep dent in its edge and smashed the crystal. Under the watch the flesh was badly burned in a circle. The keys and key-chain which Mr. Dutil had in his pockets when the bolt struck him, were completely demolished. No one has been able to find even a link of the chain.

50 Years Ago, 1954

Whether it was a cold shower, an electric fan or plunge in the lake, some means of cooling off was on everyone’s mind yesterday as Twin City residents sweltered in the hottest weather of the year. Starting in the low sixties, the mercury shot into the eighties by the time that voters started to arrive at the polling places to cast their votes in yesterday’s primary election. The hottest part of the day was at 4 and 5 p.m. when the mercury reached 92 degrees, to come within two degrees of equaling the date’s record high of 94 degrees set in 1938.

25 Years Ago, 1979

Maine Industries will be required to label chemicals and warn employees of potential health hazards under a new law signed by Gov. Joseph E. Brennan Thursday.The hazardous chemicals bill, sponsored by Rep. Sandy Prescott, D-Hampden, is based on chemical labeling standards proposed by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The federal rules have not yet taken effect.Brennan also signed into a law a bill lowering the standards for the type of job that Mainers must accept following 12 consecutive weeks of unemployment compensation.Under the present system, an unemployed worker is entitled to collect benefits after rejecting a job that pays less than his former job.

Copy the Story Link