Peter B. Baumgartner, one of the best known farmers in the county and an honored citizen of French township was instantly killed Tuesday afternoon about two o'clock. Shortly before that time he and his wife and two sons were doing some chores about the farm when a thunder shower came up very suddenly and all four took shelter in the barn. The storm raged fiercely for several moments and then slacked some what and Mrs. Baumgartner and sons decided to go to the house. They were nearly to the porch, when a blinding flash of lightening came, followed by a loud peel of thunder, and turning, they saw smoke issuing from the barn. Rushing back they found the body of the husband and father cold in death. He had been standing, looking out a window when the bolt came, striking the roof and running down a long post to where Mr. Baumgartner was standing and from there in some unaccountable way, it jumped to the man's body, striking him in the temple and following down the body to the ankle, burning him terribly and causing instant death. His body was removed to the house and Coroner C. S. Clark summoned. That gentleman was not in the office, but his brother, D. D. Clark, went to the scene at once and attended to the official duties. Mr. Baumgartner was fifty-nine years, five months and twenty-six days old. The funeral services will be held this afternoon. The damage to the barn was very slight, probably fifteen dollars.

Decatur Democrat; Adams County, Indiana
(a weekly newspaper)
Thursday, May 8, 1902
**

Peter B Baumgartner
in the Indiana, U.S., Death Certificates, 1899-2011

Name: Peter B Baumgartner
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 59
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 10 Dec 1842
Birth Place: Adams Co Ind
Death Date: 6 May 1902
Death Place: French, Adams, Indiana, USA
Father: Benedict Baumgartner
Mother: Annie Beilhanz??
Spouse: Mary Hawkins
Informant: Jacob Baumgartner; Vera Cruz, Indiana
Burial: May 8, 1902; Vera Cruz ??
•Contributor: Karin King (47469179) •