Ringgold Record
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
May, 1877

On May 18, 1877, about 3:30 p.m., an electrical storm came up and the lightning struck the Mogul schoolhouse, three miles north of Wirt [present-day Ellston]. Three girls, Mary and Anna MOGUL and Cora ESLIM, were struck and the teacher, Mercy CALFEE and all the pupils were stunned. One of the MOGUL girls was using her slate and a piece of her slate frame was run into her body. The two MOGUL girls ran to their home a short distance from the schoolhouse, and fell on the doorstep. They were put to bed. Dr. MERRILL, of Mount Ayr, was sent for, but did not get there for several hours and as it was a very dark night and the man that was sent for him had to ride on horseback ahead of his team and carry a lantern. He could do nothing for the girls and they both died that night.

Mr. MOGUL was in his pasture, a short distance away, when the schoolhouse was struck and the bolt knocked down a calf he was driving and stunned him but he ran to the schoolhouse where he carried Cora ESLIM out in the rain where she came to. She was sick for a long time, but she eventually recovered.

The teacher was always very deaf, but the other pupils soon recovered.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2010