Sonora, Texas Newspaper

Silver City Newspaper, New Mexico

HOMESTEADER KILLED BY LIGHTNING BOLT DURING STORM

July 28,1927

Sidney L. Lewis meets instant death on ranch in Greenwood Canyon northwest of Silver City, Grant County, New Mexico.

RIDING OVER THE RANGE

At the time the victim met death he was out looking for horses. The body was not found until morning when searchers discovered the crumpled form of the rider and horse not far from the ranch home. The deceased came to Grant County about a year ago from Texas, where the body is shipped for interment. He is survived by his widow and other relatives.

Sidney L. Lewis 32 years old, a homesteader residing in Greenwood Canyon about 25 miles northwest of Silver City was struck by a bolt of lightning about 4 o'clock Thursday afternoon while riding over the range of his ranch looking for horses. The fatal shaft not only brought instant death to the rider, but the horse was also killed.

Lewis had left the ranch on horseback and while riding along a timbered ridge, a thunder storm came up. The bolt struck him in the back near the shoulder and went through his body, the saddle, and the horse. Both fell in a crumpled heap. When he did not return home by dust his wife, Mrs. Betty Lewis became alarmed and fearful some accident had befallen her husband, and notified nearby neighbors. A search began, but because of the darkness of the night this accomplished little. The next morning not far from the ranch house a searching party came upon the body of Lewis and the carcass of the horse. A autopsy examination revealed that both had been killed by lightning.

BODY BROUGHT HERE

The body was brought to Silver City to Cox's Mortuary where it was prepared for burial. It was shipped Saturday to Dallas, Texas, where the parents of the deceased live, for final interment being accompanied by the grief-stricken widow.

Lewis came to Silver City about a year ago from Texas with a brother B.W. Lewis, and the two had taken up government land with a view of embarking in the goat business.

At the time of his death Lewis was engaged in Building a permanent house on his homestead, and otherwise improving it. He was well known throughout the district where he lived.

This is the first fatality this year in this county due to lightning, although considerable stock has been killed.

(Obituary was written by family in 1927.) Courtesy of Lee Peacock.

 

Courtesy of  Lee Peacock. Jan Greer. Lucille Barry McJilton. Fay Griffin. Transcribed by Mary Lafferty Wilson