Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-05-15
ror the Grant County Herald.


i
Mr.. Editor II you conceive the foi-|
lowing particulars will be interesting tol
your readers you are welcome to insert
them in the Herald.
A most remarkable phenomenon APP
peared in the heavens on the evening Of
Friday last, the 9th inst, in this district,
and most probably in many other parts
ofihis extensive Continent, about half
past Z o'clock, by the falling of large
Meteor IN the north west, which nearly
reached the earth before it expiaded.-
A beautiful hight iuied followed in Its
tram, which kept in view for long pc
Rod, resembling two small clouds-the
upper one, where the meteor coinmmen-
ced its descent, moving slowly in SOU
therly direction and .he lower one,
where the meteor exploded, going nor
therly; proving thereby that there were
two currents of air blowing at the time,
the higher one from the north and the
lower one from the south. 1t was near
ten minutes after the explosion before
the report was heard, and then It resem-
bled heavy thunder, or the noise from
distant artillery. | have never seen a.
nything Of the kind in this country be-
fore, and only once in Europe, many
years ago, and then not of such magni-
tude as this appeared, though the fall OF
meteoric stones from the atmosphere to
the earth is much more frequent than is
generally believed. Hardly year pas
ses without some instances occurring !;
and if it be considered, that only small
part of the earth is inhabited, it may be
presumed that numbers fall in the ocean,
or. on the uninhabited parts of the land,
unseen by man. Numerous writers in
all ages have mentioned instances of the
remarkable phenomenon Of stony bodies
having been seen TO fall from the sky. =
On December 10Th, 1898, such an in
stance took place near Benares, in the
East Indies. About 8 o'clock in the e.
vening, very luminous meteor was OBJ
served in the heavens in the form Of a
large ball Of fire. 1t was accompanied
by loud noise, resembling that of thun-
der, which was Immediately followed by
the sound of heavy bodies. On examin-
ing the ground, it was observed to have
been newly torn up in many places and
in these places stones were found of a
peculiar appearance, most Of which had
buried themselves to the depth of six in
ches. At the time the meteor appeared
tie sky was perfectly serene, not the
smallest vestige of cloud had been seen
since the 18th of the month, nor were
any observed for many days after. This
was and has been the case in the pres
ent instance. 1t was seen in the west
ern part of the hemisphere, and was on
ly short time visible. The light from
it was so great as to cast strong shadows
from the bars of window upon dark
carpet, and it appeared as luminous as
the brightest moonlight. Many Of the
stones were collected: some of them
weighed two pounds.
Meteoric stones have sometimes fallen
Of great magnitude; one which fell at
Eusisheim, in Alsace in 1892, weighed
270 lbs. 1t was suspended by chain
in the church at that place for three cen.
turtles. During the French Revolution
it was carried off to Calmar, and many
pieces were taken from it.
When these electric bodies are more
than usual they are harbingers of All ex-
IRENE weather of some kind, but for the
most part they are followed by great
storms Of wind, tornadoes, and thunder /;
thus clearly indicating the extreme cleo
trical condition OF the atmos sphere, which
at this time is very apparent to those
who understand it.
THos. S. SHAW.
! shaw Hill, near Prairie du Chen,
May 9Th, 1854.
P. S. am anxious to see what 9TH
ers say on this phenomenon from theis
localities