The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-05-17
va, THURSDAY NAY II

THK MxrEoRIc SHowkR In OHIo.-The fall
Of q shower of stones, some of them Of great
size, in Eastern Ohio, ON the lat inst, has been
published. a letter to Prof. Henry, Of the
Institute, written from Concord,
Muskingum county. Ohio, by Lieut.. ]. @. Tid-
ball, u. S. A, gives the following interesting
particulars Of this extraordinary occurrence:
The shower took place between II and |
o. clock p NJ The day was unusually cool
for the season of the year, and the sky about
two thirds overcast with clouds. Simulta-
neously with the fall OF the stones a tremen-
dous explosion occurred in the atmos sphere.-
To those near by it resembled a severe clap of
thunder in sound, but was accompanied by
iarring sensation, which, together with the
noise, was felt ard heard at . much greater
distance than the effect of thunder. It was
observed and remarked rs something peculiar
by persons fifty miles off. l was at the time
about thirty miles distant. and so extraordi-
nary was the detODation and jarring sensation
that thought it although an unknown oc.
cnrrence in this region) an earthquake shock.
in fact such was the general opinion of ali
who heard it. To those near where the stones
fell several distinct reports were heard--ac.
counts vary from six to ,twelve-they were in
rapid succession, perhaps not over Il second Of
time between them. So strange was the sensa-
ton that cattle in the fields ran startled at it,
Four stones were seen TO fall and have been
recovered, but the probabilities are that many
Others fell Two, which fell within about six
hundred yards Of each other, were seen by a
couple of men who We're laboring in a field
Hearing the reports, pf the men looked M
and saw large body fair INTO Held close by
the other looking in another direction, saw
another which tell npon fence Within
about twenty minutes they approached and
dog out the one which had fallen in the field
where 1t had buried itself TO the depth of
about twenty inches in stiff limestone soil
1t was still so hot that it could scarcely be
thn ;nn
winch 1t entered the earth its fall appeared to
Do vertical It's weight was fifty lone pounds
ana It's shape irregular, long, and fiattened.
IL entered the ground point foremost. The
othef, "hlch fell upon the fence, weighed
forty two pounds. In its descent it cut through
the rails of the fence aud buried itself in the
earth, having DIRECTION apparently from the
northeast. About one and q half miles from
WheTe lhese TWO stones fell, q young man
i'll a field heard a strange whizzing
sound overhead, and, looking up, saw the
clouds IN strange state of commotion. (The
same with regard 10 the agitation of the clouds
was observed by others.( Thinking that he
heard something fall, upon searching he found
a stone weighing thirty-six pounds, which
had fallen upon and imbedded itself in a de-
cayed log. 1T was supposed that it had in
It's faii direction from the southeast
Near Claysvllle, about six miles distant, two
entlemen walking out heard the explosion,
ana very soon afterwards a stone weighing
TOUR pounds fell near them, striking the
gronnd SO obliquely AS to ricochet. The di-
raction OF this appeared to be from the north
The four stones above men ntioned were all
that were seen TO fall another, however, was
found which had fallen in the woods and
lodged III the earth among Il thick cluster of
roots surrounding beech tree Ii weighed
about thirty pounds, and appeared to have
fallen vertically. All of the stones were ir-
regular in figure and had the same general ap-
pearance, having blackened, smooth, ,yitrified
surface. This exterior coating was. however,
~ ~ n ann n ,r
thickness. Within the stones had an ashy
color, and contained fine particles of some
shlning substance, probably native nickei.--
Enclosed send you very small specimen
WhIch picked of Of a large lump. 1 was my
desire to send you large piece, or, il possible,
one OF the stones entire, but all except the
largest one were broken up aud the pieces DIS
triOuted among persons who, while the mar.
vel las1s, attach to them great value. The
largest one tyet unbroken) is in possession of
A. ,. MilhoIland, from whom, if desirable
You might possibly obtain it for the Smithso-
man.
SUICIDE OF A MUIDEKER.-Robert @. Mac
donald, OF Mobile, who murdered Virginia
a cour!eZan, by shooting her down
IN Broadway, New York, about nine months
.lnce, committed suicide in prison, Monday
by taking Il strong preparation Of
opium. Since the passage of the new law abo,-
lshlng capital punishment, except in cases Of
murder in the first degree, and rendering long
confinement in the State Prison almost GER
tain in cases here there is doubt of premedi-
tated ana malicious homicide, Mae,Lonald has
been still more anxious tor :tn opportunity TO
commit suicide. 1t is said that he advised
young Lane the Fulton Bank defaulter, to
commit suicide rather than go to State Prison.
lhe deceased was about 30 years of age. He
left letter to Lewis Leland, of the Metropol-
itan Hotel, OF which the following is an ex-
tract: In addressing you now for the last
time, allow me to thank You for the unvary-
inn In. T...., IL
shown me since the sad affair that made me
the Inmate OF prison. 1t is useless To dwell
upon the past that we cannot recall, as bitterly
As we may repent ii. You may point to the
luture, ana say that with the warm and true
friendship possess, may again brea the the
pure and free air OF heaven. That do not
doubt. AT least / am convinced that those
friends who have known me long and well are
satlslled O. I am MOI, and nsrer could be, muir
dsrer. 'Tis true my friends tell me a human
life has been taken, and by my hand. And what
life has been shed The life of one, unworthy
though she was of the love OF mau, yet loved
her better than did my hopes OF Heaven. He
in whose presence she long since has stood,
will udge impartialIy, aud fear not to meet
her At the throne of God.
again, while thanking You for your kind
ness, allow me to request you to seal il by one
last act OF friendship. My request is that Won
Will SEQ that am deeently buried in private
ground. None of my relatives or Southern
friends being i'll the city, l thus call on you
You will find ENCLOSED an urder on Mr.. Scott
to cover any expense You may he at would
also req uest that you will not allow INV body
TO be exposed TO the vulgar gaze Of the curious
pubilc Out that AS soon As the coroner NAV
have finished holding the inquest, my body
may be placed i'll private charge
THE HKENAN TEsTIMoNIAL-A meeting WAS
held III New York Tuesday night to raise a
fund for Heenan which snail amount to SIS
0OU. The Chairman, in addressing it, said u
gold belt is expected from California an ele-
CANT watch and chain is being manutactur red
by the friends of the Benicia Boy in Troy. and
various testimonials from private individuals
are under way. Letters are received every
day from ALI sections OF the country, making
inquiries and forwarding contributions, anu
II zeal appears TO be NANTES ted all over the
United States to "render unto Cesar the things
hat are CHsar's.'' As fast as the money is RI
ceived, it is deposited in the ban king house of
Duucan, Sherman II Co., subject to the order
OF John &. Heeman. During the evening three
gen n.lemen came forward and gave twenty Ave
dollars each towards the object of the meeting
All classes il New York (says the Herald, ap-
lear to be subscribing literally, and merchants
aud brokers especially are following mode
ra rely in the wake of their British brethren
The committee expect TO raise about fifteen
dollars; bat the probability is that
the amount received from all quarters will not
be less than twenty-five or thirty thousand
dollars.
GRN LA VEGA SHOT.-On or about the a5th
of April, Gen. DE Romalo DiaZ de Ia Vega.
Comma dan te General of San Luis Potosi a
dis stinguished officer in the late war, and taken
prisoner by the Americans, left that city with
i 900 men, and the next day had very severe
nctiOn with the Liberal troops, commanded
by Gen. Uraga. The number engaged was
about equal on both sides. Gea. La Vegas
was completely routed. his troops dispersed,
and himself taken prisoaer. All has artillery.
To the number of twenty pieces, fell into the
hands of3Jraga Uraga had shot Gen Ia