Not all Scudders are mission doctors …
Here are few Scudders we thought you would like to meet.
Sail on Peter, Sail on
Peter and his wife Liz have long been an integral part of the Scudder Association Foundation. He and his family were frequent visitors to the Scudder Retreat on Shelter Island, NY, where the wind and the sea were woven into the family’s spirit. His presence within our organization will be sorely missed.
Dr. Nathaniel Scudder was a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Confederation in 1777.
Dr. Nathaniel Scudder was mortally wounded pursuing a British raiding party, Monmouth County, NJ, October 16, 1781
Nathaniel Scudder (May 10, 1733 – October 17, 1781) was an American physician and patriot leader during the Revolutionary War. He served as a delegate for New Jersey to the Continental Congress, where he was one of two delegates from New Jersey to sign the Articles of Confederation.
In 1777, Scudder became the colonel of his militia regiment and that fall was sent as a delegate to the Continental Congress. During the summer of 1778.
Scudder continued both forms of service for several years. Finally, on October 17, 1781, he led a part of his regiment to offer resistance to a British Army foraging party, and was killed in a skirmish near Shrewsbury.
Dr. Scudder was the only member of the Continental Congress to die in battle during the Revolutionary War. Learn More
Vida Scudder, was one of the founders, in 1890, of Denison House in Boston, the third settlement house in the United States
(Julia) Vida Dutton Scudder (December 15, 1861 – October 9, 1954) was an American educator, writer, and welfare activist in the social gospel movement.
She was born in Madurai, India, in 1861, the only child of David Coit Scudder and Harriet Louise (Dutton) Scudder. After her father, a Congregationalist missionary, was accidentally drowned in 1862, she and her mother returned to the family home in Boston. Apart from travel in Europe, she attended private secondary schools in Boston, and was graduated from the Boston Girl’s Latin School in 1880. Scudder then entered Smith College, where she received her BA degree in 1884.
In 1885 she and Clara French were the first American women admitted to the graduate program at Oxford, where she was influenced by York Powell and John Ruskin. While in England she was also influenced by Leo Tolstoi and by George Bernard Shaw and Fabian Socialism. Scudder and French returned to Boston in 1886.
Scudder taught English literature from 1887 at Wellesley College, where she became an associate professor in 1892 and full professor in 1910.
When French died in 1888, Scudder joined the Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross, a group of Episcopalian women dedicated to intercessionary prayer and social reconciliation. Also in 1888, she joined the Society of Christian Socialists, which, under the Rev. William Dwight Porter Bliss, established the Church of the Carpenter in Boston and published The Dawn.
She was one of the founders, in 1890, along with Helena Dudley and Emily Greene Balch, of Denison House in Boston, the third settlement house in the United States. Scudder was its primary administrator from 1893 to 1913.[1]
Scudder is honored with a feast day on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church (USA) on October 10. Learn More
Samuel Hubbard Scudder (April 13, 1837 – May 17, 1911) was an American entomologist and paleontologist.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Scudder may be most widely known for his essay on the importance of first-hand, careful observation in the natural sciences. The treatise on inductive reasoning, entitled “The Student, the Fish, and Agassiz”, reflects his initial experience, learning really to see, under the tutelage of Louis Agassiz at Harvard University.
He graduated at Williams College in 1857 and at Harvard University in 1862, was a leading figure in American entomology from 1858, and the first North American insect paleontologist. He also undertook systematic work with Lepidoptera (almost exclusively butterflies), Orthoptera, Mantodeaand Blattodea and fossil arthropods, including the exquisitely preserved butterfly Prodryas persephone. Learn More
Billy Scudder, Actor – has been performing since the age of two. He is a singer, actor, mime, writer, director and teacher. Billy’s portrayal of Charlie Chaplin for IBM ushered in the age of the Persorsonal Computer. He has appeared in over 100 IBM commercials and won eleven Clio Awards, television advertising’s higest award. Learn More
Janet Scudder, Sculptor 1869-1940 – Janet Scudder received a commission to model the seal for the New York Bar Association. From that point on she was to not lack for work, becoming one of the most prolific and successful makers of small fountains and garden sculptures. The themes of her works were frequently children, animals and pixies, fairies and other elemental beings often combined with each other.
Paul Scudder – has been teaching Organic Chemistry at New College for 35 years, and his passion for the subject has inspired countless students during this time. In 2015, New College of Florida, held a symposium in his honor to pay tribute to the impact that Scudder has had on his students education, careers, and lives.
Major (ret.) Christopher Scudder, Vietnam, 1968
Christopher Scudder – served as a platoon leader with the 25th Infantry Division in Viet Nam during the Tet Offensive in 1968. He was severely wounded during a night ambush outside Dau Tieng in the Michelon rubber plantation. His military awards and decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, three Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medals, the Republic of Viet Nam Honor Medal, and various other service medals.
After retirement from the service, Chris served as a Bishop in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Currently, Chris resides on his farm in Harrison, Arkansas. He is a Board Member, family Historian and Genealogist of the Scudder Association, one of the oldest family organizations in the country.
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson Former Mayor of London, 2008-2016
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a Scudder on his mother’s side.
Boris Johnson, an English politician, popular historian, and journalist has served as Mayor of London from 2008 to 2016. A member of the Conservative Party, Johnson considers himself a One Nation Conservative and has been described as a libertarian due to his association with both economically liberal and socially liberal policies.
Johnson or “BoJo” as he is known in the London press,became the centre of media interest in early 2016 when he refused to clarify his support for Brexit. In February 2016 he endorsed Vote Leave in the “Out” campaign for the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016.
Following Theresa May’s victory in the leadership contest and subsequent appointment as Prime Minister, Johnson was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on 13 July 2016. Learn More
Meet more interesting Scudders…
Happy Independence Day 2023
In honor of all the Scudders who made this Independence possible, we’d like to share this remarkable book by our former President, Hamilton Cochran with you.
Two Scudders Who Dearly Need To Be REMEMBERED
Nathaniel Scudder was a physician and patriot leader during the Revolutionary War. He served as a delegate from New Jersey to the Continental Congress, He wrote a series of impassioned letters to New Jersey leaders urging the adoption of the Articles, and when New Jersey’s legislature approved them in November 1777, he signed them for the state at Congress. Scudder dropped his medical practice to serve in the military, and he led a regiment in the Battle of Monmouth in June 1778.
In Honor of Mother’s Day, We Again Share Why We Love Aunt Ida: How Ida S. Scudder’s Sacrifice to Honor and Serve Her Ill Mother Expanded to Bless Millions
“‘’Illay,* Amma,’ the brahmin replied proudly. ‘I would not think of having a man deliver my wife: I would rather that she should die than be seen by another man. If you cannot come, I must lose her.’ Ida had pled with the husband to let her father, Dr. John, deliver the baby, but to no avail. She had even offered to go with them and do what she could under her father’s direction, but the Brahmin was adamant. She had no medical training: she was forced to let this husband go without aid for his dying wife.
Easter Concert
To wish you a happy Easter we are sharing a link to a beautiful, soothing and moving Easter concert that celebrates and depicts the life of Christ through music and art—through string and orchestral music with visuals from European artists’ paintings of Jesus Christ and some Bible video footage.
Honoring Our Cousins-in Arms
This Veterans Day, please join us in honoring our armed forces, both past and present. A member of our family has served in every U.S. Military conflict since the founding of our republic. The Scudder name is deeply entwined in this country's history, and we are proud...
Creating a Multi-racial Democracy, The Scudders of Hawaii
The first Scudders to Hawaii grew up in India in the 1860s and 70s. As children of the second generation of American Scudder Protestant missionaries in British India, their parents were doctors and teachers offering alternatives to the Hindu caste system and Islamic fundamentalism with the teachings of Jesus. Scudder involvement in India continues to this day.
Calvin’s Crusaders In The Wars That Made America
We would like to share a review of this book written by one of our ‘distant’ cousins and current Foundation Board Director. living in Wiesbaden, Germany. David T. Fisher
Meet Meredith Scudder
2020 was the year that set Scottie Scheffler’s career into overdrive. He tied for fourth at the PGA Championship, shot 12-under 59 at The Northern Trust, and was named the 2020 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year. It’s also no coincidence 2020 was the year he married his high school sweetheart, who just so happens to be a Scudder.
Gail Halvorsen, the Berlin Candy Bomber
Gail Halvorsen, the Berlin Candy Bomber, dies Feb. 16, 2022: A Scudderoid” Whose Notable Legacy Began with Two Sticks of Gum. Lt. Gail Halvorsen, the Candy Bomber, gave hope and love to starving German children during the 1948 Berlin Airlift to counteract the Soviet blockade
CMC Vellore Foundation – Update
Recent Word from our friends at CMC Vellore Foundation is... CMC Vellore Hospital,President J.V. Peter, sent word to New York, that,"”Although the second wave continues to wane, albeit slowly in our region, we are on guard to ensure that we are prepared to face...
Edwina Scudder Youth
We are saddened to report the death of Edwina Scudder Youth in Levittown, Pa on May 15, 2021. She was born on August 2, 1934 in Huntingdon, Long Island to Edwin and Susan Scudder. As a child, Edwina developed a passion for medicine and received a nursing degree from the Columbia University School of Nursing in September, 1955. She became head nurse of the surgical department at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, and later at Mercer Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey.
Your Family Needs You
So Do Our Friends in India For over 200 years the Scudders have provided direct medical care and comfort to the peoples of India. For over 100 years Scudder families have provided financial support to those medical services through the philanthropic efforts of the...
An Oration a 150 Years in the Making
The Scudder Association Foundation is proud to announce this year's Ida Scudder Humanitarian Oration, will be presented by Board Member and India Grant, Chair, Dr. James Taylor. Jim Taylor's road to the Oration invitation is a circuitous, and much like his legendary...
Like Father Like Son
Recently Rajaratnam Abel, contacted our President Charles Scudder, whom he met last year on the Scudder Foundation's bicentennial return to India. Abel was putting the finishing touches on his most recent book, Dr. John Scudder: World's First Medical...
A Road Trip Down Scudder Avenue, Literally
It all started with a phone call. What was going to be a simple outing to a car museum for my dad’s 79th birthday, turned into a deep dive into my family’s ancestry with several surprising connections along the way.
Scudder Board Welcomes Phoebe N. Flint
Please join us in welcoming Phoebe N. Flint, as our newest member of the Scudder Association Foundation, Board of Directors. Phoebe currently is working with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, as a Paralegal Specialist, Bureau of Competition. Prior to that...
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS
President Charles S.K. Scudder's 2019 Annual Meeting Address Presented to the Members or the Scudder Association Foundation Annual Meeting On December 16th, 2019, the Scudder Association Foundation held their Annual Meeting via video conference in conjunction...
Christmas at Vellore Medical School
“Well, Christmas is over and the New Year almost upon us. I had my celebration in Vellore as I was on Obstetric and Gynecological duty. Before Christmas, everyone was busy getting things ready. The nurses were planning their ward decorations: there were rehearsals for the Christmas plays; and everyone was doing up mysterious parcels for at least two weeks before.
The Beat Goes on and on
The Beat Goes on and on and ... Our recent CMC Vellore Foundation, Chairwoman, Dr. Honorine Ward, forwarded this link to us; saying how pleased she was to be passing it along. Like Honorine, we should all be pleased and proud of the Taylor family and their remarkable...
One Step At A Time by Dr. Reena George
The Scudder Association Foundation members who traveled to Vellore for the 200th year centennial of Dr John and Harriet Scudder's mission work in India and Sri Lanka met with author Reene George. 'She took us on a tour of the central parts of the campus which were...
Dinner with Dr. Thomas Samuel Ram
The Scudder family members who are in Vellore and Ranipet, India this week for the Bicentennial Year celebration of Scudders in India, attended a dinner hosted by Dr. Thomas Samuel Ram and his family. Dr Ram is Professor and Head of the Radiation Oncology Unit 1 at...
To All Our Members
Wishing all our members the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years.
From The Scudder Association Foundation
CMC – Centennial Gala
Gala Honors Anna Pulimood & Chelsea Clinton at 100th Anniversary Celebration Thursday December 13, 2018, the CMC Foundation celebrated the founding of CMC by Dr. Ida Scudder 100 years ago, by presenting awards to Dr. Anna Pulimood, President of CMC College and...
Wife and Mother of 4 Board Members Leaves Us
It is with great regret that we note the passing of Marian Bunce. Marian Bunce, of Huntington, NY, has long been an important part of the Scudder Association. Her influence on the Association can not be overstated; her husband Arthur, and 4 children, Annmarie, Thomas,...
The Beat Goes On
Witness the powerful presentation of a 7th Generation Scudder's return to India Dr. Allison Taylor, great,great,great,great granddaughter of Dr. Silas Scudder, founder of Scudder Memorial Hospital, Ranipet, India, presented to the Board of Directors' Bicentennial...
100 Years in the Making
Former President, Rob Fish, Delivers The 7th Annual Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration On August 9, 2018 the seventh annual Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration was held in the Scudder Auditorium, Christian Medical College, Vellore. The Oration was delivered...
We’re Back!
You may recall we sent you this email back in April, 2017. It was our intention at the time to roll out an ambitious membership campaign via the Internet and Social Media to a portion of the Scudders discovered in Linkedin . However due to limited,...
Bad News – Good News
First the Bad News . . . Now the Good News . . . Nantasket has extended the Reservation Deadline to September 5th, 2018 We have been notified that the Nantasket Hotel is fully booked for our Reunion Weekend and that they can only honor those requesting a reservation...
India Travel Requirements
Travel Visa: Print or Download This Document Visa Online Application it can take more than 2 weeks to get your visa, so plan well in advance (costs may vary based on conversion rate at application time) Country Duration of Visa Consular Fee US Citizens...
Count Down to History
Mark your Calendars - 60 Days to Our Historic Bicentennial Celebration Come join us as we celebrate an historic occasion - 200 years of a family's devotion to the service of others. The Scudder Association will hold its Annual Meeting just outside Boston, in...
Former Scudder Association President to deliver Ida Scudder Humanitarian Oration
We are proud to announce that Dr. Rob Fish will be delivering the 8th Annual Ida S. Scudder Oration on the campus of the CMC Vellore Hospital and Medical School, 99 years after Dr. Scudder began practicing medicine in India. Rob is related to both Ida S. Scudder and...
2018 Vellore CMC Foundation Annual Meeting
The Foundation welcomed its CMC Guests: Dr. JV Peter (Director), Dr. Jayanthi Peter and Dr. Vikram Mathews (Associate Director). This was Dr. Peter’s first visit to NYC since assuming the role of Director in late 2017. Dr. Peter provided an update on the latest awards...
Medical College of Wisconsin Honors the Scudder’s 199 Years of Service
This July, the Medical College of Wisconsin's website, honored the Scudder family's 199 year commitment of service to others. The tribute spotlighted Dr. Jim Taylor and his family's connection between MCW and Scudder's Medical work in India. It is a wonderful...
Edwina Youth-Scudder Hospitalized
A Venerable Member of the Scudder Association Hospitalized We recently received the following notice from Patricia Carrol with Vellore CMC Foundation. Hello everyone, I spoke with Dr. Elise Youth, the daughter of Edwina Scudder-Youth, who advised me that her mother...
Dr. Rob Fish to Deliver CMC’s Annual Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration
The Scudder Family Honored as CMC Celebrates 100 Years of Medical Education CMC Oration Committee, has invited former Scudder Association President, Rob Fish, to deliver the 8th Annual Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration, August 9th, 2018 at the CMC...
An Exponential Family Man
The Scudder Association Mourns the Loss of a Good Friend and Great Genealogist It is with sadness the Scudder Association announces the sudden passing of Christopher Eric Scudder, a Board member, Genealogy Officer and dear friend to many in the Association. Chris...
Who says you can’t go home again?
In spite of Thomas Wolfe's assertion, Dr. James Taylor, his wife, Dr. Susan Taylor and his daughter Allison, a 4th year medical student returned to India where they continued a nearly 200 year tradition of fostering medical care. Dr.James Taylor, serves on the Boards...
7th Generation Scudder – Off to India
199 Years And 7 Generations Later ... Another Scudder Departs for India Allison Taylor, continues a long and proud tradition of Scudders in service to the medical community of India. Both her father, Jim Taylor and mother, Susan Taylor are physicians and Allison is...
Annmarie Bunce Named Teacher of the Year !!
Annmarie a life long member of the Scudder Association family and past Board Member has won, "Teacher of the Year", at Walt Whitman High School in Huntington Station, NY. Annmarie's brother, Arthur Bunce, said in his Facebook post 'It also came as no surprise to...
President’s Introductory Remarks
The following is a transcript of Charles S.K. Scudder's introductory remarks on being elected President of the Scudder Association, at the Annual Meeting of the General Membership, December,4, 2017. Dear Cousins, Well, thank you all very much indeed for electing...
Sri Lanka Celebrates 200 Years of Scudder Service
This is a special news item submitted by Jack Gillmar The Church of the American Ceylon Mission has been celebrating its 200-year old history of work with missionaries from the United States for two years. Five young men, students of Williams College in...
Final Letter from Rob Fish – President
As I conclude my second term as the president of your family organization, The Scudder Association, I want to thank all those who have supported my efforts these past 6 years. You all know who you are, and I do not need to read off all the names. As I now live in...
Our Thoughts and Prayers Are With You
There are a good many Scudders among the millions affected by Hurricanes Harvey & Irma. The hearts of the Country and our Association have been saddened at the vast destruction brought on by the hurricanes roiling out of the Caribbean. We have been fortunate that...
The world is a little colder now
Gordon R. Sherman, June 21, 1937 - August 2, 2017 It is with great sadness to announce we have lost one of our most active and endearing members, Gordon Sherman. We wish to express our deepest sympathies to his wife and life long partner, Cy, as well as his children...
Happy 4th – Thank you to the Scudders who made it possible
Here is a link to Hamilton Cochran's remarkable book Scudders in the American Revolution. The Scudders played a prominent role during the Revolution. We hope this link will allow you to appreciate the courage and sacrifice required for us to celebrate...
Ringling, Barnum, Bailey & Scudder
After a 207 year run, "The Greatest Show On Earth" will close where it all began. John Scudder, an amateur taxidermist, opens the American Museum in New York City at 21 Chatham Street. Catering to mostly wealthy gentlemen, the museum offered science...
Making Friends & Finding Family
April 2017 Dear Friends & Family, Growing up I never met another “Scudder” outside of my immediate family. It wasn’t until I had gone off in the Army that I bumped into my first new “Scudder”, a River Boat Pilot, in Saigon. It was a first time for both of us....
The Long Way Home
A Gesture of Love and Esteem Finds Its Way Home After a journey of 85 years and tens of thousands of miles, this historic commemorative silver tray has found its way back to its place of origin, Scudder Memorial Hospital. Discover the woman behind the tray and...
Special “K”
Not all Scudders spell it with a "C". Hear and read Paul Skudder's account of his "Mirakle" on a mountain. Dr. Harley Rotbart, Professor, Vice Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Pediatrics University of Colorado Medical School, and Dr. Paul Skudder, a vascular...
Exciting News from SMH
This is our third report from our Indian Grant Chair, Dr. James Taylor's recent trip to India. Thomas Cook Travel Donates 5 Much Needed Dialysis Machines With a generous grant from the Thomas Cook Travel Group, SMH's dialysis unit will nearly double in size with 5...
Friendly Incoming
Giving is a 2 Way Street While virtue may be its own reward, it is gratifying nonetheless, to be on the receiving end of someone's appreciation. That was exactly how we felt when Emma Bigelow contacted us from Lake Michigan College with her kind words. We look forward...
“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”
Our intrepid India Grants Chair, Dr. James Taylor, was busy on his recent visit to India. He just forwarded us this report, supplemented with photos from our friends at CMC Vellore Foundation. Thank you to all who helped. Brick laying ceremony for Kannigapuram...
Indian Grant Chairman, Progress Report – 164 Years in the Making*
*Excerpts from Dr. James Taylor's, Indian Grant Chairman's reporting on his recent visit to the Arni Higher Secondary School, Arni, India. "An eye-opening visit to Arni Higher Secondary School:" Since we have been sending money for many years, I took an afternoon to...
God Bless the Dreamers
It is only fitting that today, on Martin Luther King Day, we remember that we were not the only ones inspired by "Aunt Ida's" love and compassion. Mahatma Gandhi visited Dr. Ida Scudder and the CMC Vellore Medical School, in 1928. It was an historic occasion when two...
Meet a Scudder
Nathaniel Scudder (May 10, 1733 – October 17, 1781) was an American physician and patriot leader during the Revolutionary War. He served as a delegate for New Jersey to the Continental Congress, where he was one of two delegates from New Jersey to sign the Articles of...
Let’s Get Social
The Scudder Association is embarking into uncharted waters (for us) by launching a social media effort to reach out to current and potential members. In the coming weeks, we will be "Friending" and "Connecting" with cousins around the world. It is an exciting time to...
Let's get social. The Scudder Association is embarking into uncharted waters (for us) by launching a social media effort to reach out to current and potential members. In the coming weeks, we will be "Friending" and "Connecting" with cousins around the world. It is...
Invite Some Friends for Lunch this New Year
We agree with our friends in Vellore, invite friends for lunch, early and often. We at the Scudder Association can think of no better New Year's Resolution than inviting friends for lunch, unless of course it's for dinner or inviting them to join our Association....
Happy 146th Birthday Aunt ‘Dr.’ Ida S. Scudder
In Honor of Aunt Ida's birthday December 9th, we want to send a BIG 'Thank You' to all "Scudders", past and present who help continue her mission of providing medical care for all . We salute all of the thousands of CMC Vellore, medical and nursing students that have...
Welcome Back !
Dear Cousins: Darwin noted that a species either adapts to change or goes extinct. The Scudder Association is no different. The last decade has seen dramatic changes in both the Association and the way the world communicates. To respond to this, we have devoted...
Introducing Scudder Association 2.0
The Scudder Association is happy to announce the roll-out of our new Member Resource Management system.
Something to Smile About
We had asked our President, Rob Fish to assist us in getting the word out about our new Scudder Association digital network and discovered that he was unavailable over the weekend. We assumed he was sailing, golfing or just savoring the lingering vestiges of summer....
CMC Vellore Recognized as one of India’s Most Trusted Healthcare Brands
Donate to CMC Vellore, one of India’s most trusted health care brands
Scudder Memorial Hospital Celebrates 150th Birthday
Scudder Memorial Hospital celebrated its Sesquicentennial on September 3rd and the founder's great-great grandson, Dr. James H. Taylor was in attendance. James has been a active supporter at SMH and was invited as one of the keynote speakers at the celebration. James...
Dr. Ida Scudder, Vellore, India.
Find out how this legendary woman’s spirit lives on today.
Dr. James H. Taylor to Represent Scudder Association at the SMH 150 Year Anninversary
Dr. James Taylor is scheduled to attend the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Scudder Memorial Hospital in Ranipet, India. Founder's Day is September 3rd. Dr. Taylor's great-great grandfather, Dr. Silas Downer Scudder started the hospital in 1866. Dr. Silas...
2016 Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration Watch it Live Here
The Foundation, in partnership with CMC, are pleased to announce the 2016 Dr. Ida S. Scudder Humanitarian Oration honoree, Dr. K. Srinath Reddy. Prof. Reddy is President of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI). He formerly headed the Department of Cardiology...
Dr. Anbu Suresh Rao – Scudder Memorial Hospital – Video Conference to Scudder Association
Dr. Anbu Suresh Rao, Superintendent of Scudder Memorial Hospital, met recently via video conference, with a number of Scudder Association Board members. The Board was universally impressed with the accomplishments outlined in Anbu's presentation. We would encourage...
Letter From Japan – One of the First American Accounts of Hiroshima
On May 27, 2016, the President of the United States, visited the city of Hiroshima, where he spoke these words: "Seventy-one years ago, on a bright cloudless morning, death fell from the sky and the world was changed. A flash of light and a wall of fire destroyed a...