As we go to press this morning, we learn that Mrs. Joe Allen who lives over in the First ward, was killed by lightning while out to the barn last evening about 4:30, and her body was not found until about seven o‘clock. Lightning also struck the section house.

#2-The date and place of publication of this newspaper obituary was not recorded.

Mrs. Joseph Allen was instantly killed by lightening at Blair. She saw the approaching storm and sent her children to a neighbor while she went into the barn to see to her chickens where she was struck.

#3-30 May, 1906 - The Blair Courier - Emily (Gilliland) Allen

Mrs. Joel Allen was instantly killed by lightning last Wednesday afternoon while out in the barn waiting for her son to bring in the cows. When the boy arrived, he found his mother dead on the barn floor with unmistakable signs around her of just how death came. Mr. Allen works in Council Bluffs, and the sad news was telegraphed to him at once. Rev. Hamm conducted the funeral at the house on Friday afternoon, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery. Miss Emily Gilliland was born March 25th, 1874, and was therefore 32 years, 1 month and 29 days old. She was married to Joel Allen May 18th, 1893, and of this union five children were born, three girls and two boys, ranging in age from 12 years to 20 months. She also leaves a mother, three sisters and four brothers to mourn her sudden departure to the world beyond. She was a kind, loving and devoted wife and mother, and the entire community sympathize with Mr. Allen in his great loss.

~~~Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clipping on file at the Blair Public Library.~~~