1887 Even today, deaths caused by lightning strikes are not unusual, especially in more rural areas. Few have been described by a Coroner’s Jury in such an unusual way as one that occurred August 18, 1887, near Osteen:

“Robert W. Rich came to his death through the visitation of God by lightning.”

According to a report by the Osteen correspondent for THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, the victim, an African-American section hand for the Enterprise and Titusville Division of the J.T & K.W. (Jacksonville, Tampa & Key West) Railroad, was working on a part of the track about eight miles from Osteen. He had sought shelter from a sudden storm under a pine tree near the tracks and was killed when lightning struck the tree. 

A jury, impaneled by Coroner GEORGE W. DICKSON with J.J. BLAUVERT as foreman, visited the accident scene and heard testimony from two witnesses, Section Foreman R.B. NEILSON and WILLIAM HALL, a worker who had been standing about 40 yards from the tree.

Whether from foresight or luck, the victim had, a month before, taken out an accidental death policy for $350, with his mother, MRS. BETTY RICH, as beneficiary. Railroad work, especially on the tracks, was very high risk and even today, Florida is the lightning capitol of the nation. To add to the danger, pine and other tall trees most frequently attract strikes. 

— SOURCE for West Volusia Historical Society Post: CROW’S BLUFF, ENTERPRISE, OSTEEN, SORENTO, Clippings from THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, pps 199. 201-2. The early 1900s photo, from the Dreggors Collection in the WVHS Archives, shows a section crew working near DeLeon Springs.

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