George Lee Swickhamer

Services Held For Shawnee Rancher Killed By Lightning

A bolt of lightning which struck a tree under which he was sitting instantly killed George L. Swickhammer, 41, at his ranch near Shawnee August 1 during an electrical storm.

Swimkhammer had been working on a dike when it started to rain. He apparently had sought shelter under the isolated tree near the dike. The bolt struck the trunk above his head, and traveled down through the trunk and the rancher's body. Several pennies in his pocket and his knife were burned to a crisp.

He was found by a 13-year old boy who had been helping tend sheep who, when Swickhamer did not come to dinner, missed him and went to investigate. He found his employer's body slumped under the tree.

Funeral services were held Aug. 4 at 2:30 p.m. at the Hofman chapel in Douglas, with the Rev. Thompson of the Baptist church in charge. Burial was in the Douglas Park Cemetery.

George Lee Swickhamer was born at Hume, Mo., on April 11, 1906, the son of John and Eva Swickhamer. At the time of his death he was 41 years, three months, and 21 days of age.

At the age of two his parents moved to Shawnee, where the family has since made their home. His mother died in 1909.

He attended the grade and high school in Shawnee and had built up a good ranch near there.

He was married to Ruth Violet Shippen April 27, 1931.

Surviving him are his widow; his father and stepmother, two half-sisters, and many relatives and friends.

Note: This article was typed as printed. The Douglas cemetery records spell his name Swiekhamer. His parents are buried in that cemetery, under the name Swickhamer. His wife's obituary states his name as Lee Swickhammer.

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