On This Day
17 August. In 1901 storm clouds gathered over Hanston, Kansas, as a horse-drawn hearse made its way to the cemetery. Inside, in a metallic coffin, lay the body of local farmer Samuel McPreaz's five-year-old daughter. There was a clap of thunder and the hearse was struck by lightning. The bolt knocked down both horses, stunned the driver and burst open the coffin. Mourners found the 'dead' girl sitting up, crying for her mother. Physicians declared that the girl was in a cataleptic condition and the shock had revived her, but many believed she was dead and came back to life.