Bolt of Lightning Plays Tricks at Joel Layton's Farm, But Storm Brings Needed Rain, July 12, 1921

According to the Harnett County News lightning played some peculiar stunts on Joel G. Layton’s farm last Thursday. A bolt struck a tree near the barn, then entered the barn, ignited a bale of cotton, and then set fire to four other bales, all five of which were, oddly enough, on the bottom of the pile. The lightning then passed on to other trees near the barn, badling riddling them.

Lightning did some peculiar pranks around here, too, such as the bringing down of the flag on top of the fairgrounds grandstand, which had been given so much trouble. It has been reported that a number of other places in this section were visited by bolts of lightning during the terrific storm last week.

But the electric storm with the rain it accompanied was welcome enough. People were becoming despondent over the prolonged dry and hot spell, and the rains coming during the week end have done worlds of good. The crops have come out wonderfully and are now in fine shape, according to our own observations and the reports of the farmers. With good weather from now on, there is no reason why it shouldn’t be an unusually good and well balanced crop year. Only optimism should prevail in the camps of the farmers.

From The Dunn Dispatch, Monday, July 12, 1921