Did franklin really collect electric fire from the sky by neve reed

Marshall Gregg and Neve Reed, questioned the acts behind, Benjamin Franklin's legendary kite experiment. 
Did Franklin really "Collect Fire from the Sky?" and " Franklins Smoke of Balance." They hold different positions on whether Franklin conducted the experiment that is credited widely on proving lightning as a form of electricity.
Gregg says, the story is factual, but Reed disagrees, He cites three significant reasons for doubting; One, he is skeptical about the recounting of the story by Priestley, second, he mentions a letter by Franklin that describes how he would use the kite theoretically to prove electricity and lightning at the same time and lastly, he says, If Franklin touched the metal his chances o survival would be minimal.
Marshall, on the other hand, refuted Reed's opinion and argued that the experiment occurred and points out that the letter was a "hypothetical" sketch of the test and through an explicit counterargument, Gregg successfully proved that Franklin's experiment happened and succeeded. His argument was stronger as he applied a strategy of anticipation of objections and response by use o evidence to Reeds points, i.e., evidence from; Priestly and the scientific community.