Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-05-16
The Meteoric Stone Shower in Ohio.

Inc meteorlc stone shower In OHlo.
We are indebted to the kindness of Prof.
Henry, of the Smithsonian Institution, for
the subjoined correspondence descriptive OF
the recent very remarkable shower OF me
teoric stones in Ohio. Notices of this phe-
nomenon have already appeared, but none
with the fulness and particularly of the fol-
lowing. The scientific reader will find in
this matter room, for large inquiry and spec
ulation:-Nat. Int.
HENDREYsBURG, (OuIo,) May 9, 1860.
DEAR PROFESSOR You will doubtless see
in the papers, an account of a shower OF me
teoric stones that fell on the LIST instant near
the village of Concord, in Muskingum coun-
| ty, Ohio. Lest you should think it a hoax,
or at least an incorrect account, have taken
such pains as circumstances would permit
| to obtain as near Us possible all the facts and
circumstances connected with it.
The shower took place between II and
o'clock p NJ. The day was unusually cool
fer the season Of the year. and the sky about
two-thirls overcast with clouds. Simult;l-
ncously with the fall Of the stones, tremen
dous explosion occurred in the atmosphere.
To those near by, it resembled severe clap
of thunder in sound but was accompanied
| by Earring sensation, which, together with
the noise, was felt and heard at Il much
greater distance than the effect of thunder.
1t was observed and remarked as something
peculiar by persons fifty miles of. was at
the time about thirty miles distant, and so
extraordinary was the defamation and Earring
sensation, that thought it (althuugh an un-
known occurrence in this regsn) an earth
quake shock; in fact such was the general
opinion of all who heard it. To those near
where the stones fell several distinct reports
were heard-accounts vary from six to twelve
they were in rapid succession, perhaps
not over second of time between them.
| So strange was the sensation, that cattle IN
the fields ran startled at it. Four stones
we're seen to fall and have been recovered,
but the probabilities are that many others
| fell. Two, which fell within about six hun
dred yards of each other were seen by a
| couple of men who were laboring in field.
| Hearing the reports, one OF the men looked
up and saw large body fall into a field
close by; the other, looking in another drec-
ton, saw another which fell upon fence
| Within about twenty minutes they approach
ed and dug out the one which had fallen IN
| the field, where it had buried Itself to the
depth of about twenty inches in stiff lime
stone soil. 1t was still SO hot that it could
scarcely be held in the hands. From the
direction in which it entered the earth its
| fall appeared to be vertical. Its weight was
flty-one pounds, and its shape irregular,
| long, and flattened, but resembling some
what the enclosed sketch. 1t entered the
ground point foremost. The other, which
fell upon the fence, weighed forty-two
Tn ire r MT no
rails of the fence and buried itself in the
earth, having Il direction apparently from
the northeast. About one and halt miles
from where these two stones fell, Il young
man ploughing in IL field heard !; strange
whzzing SOUND overhead, and, looking up,
saw the clouds in strange state Of commU-
ton. The same with regard to the aSita-
ton OF the clouds was observed by others
Thinking that he heard something fall, upon
searching he found Il stone weighing thirty
six pounds, which had fallen upon and en-
bedled itself in decayed log. 1t was sup
posed that it had in it's fall direction from
the southeast Near Caysyllc, about six
miles distant, two gentlemen walking out
heard the explosion, aud very soon after
wards stone weighing four pounds fell near
them, striking the ground so obIlquely as
to ricochet The direction of this appeared
to be from the north The four stones above
mentioned were all that were seen to fall;
another, however, was found which had la!
len in the woods and lodged i'll the earth
among a thick cluster OF roots surroundings
beech tree 1t weighed about thirty pounds,
and appeared to have fallen vertically. All
Of lh" stones were irregular III figure, and
had the same general appearance, having 4
blackencd, smooth, vitritied surface. This
exterior coating was, however, very thin
not over one-ittieth OF an inch in thickness.
Within, the stones had an aShy color, and
contained fine PARTICLES of some shining sub
stance, probably native nickel. Enclosed |
send you very small specimen which |
picked off Of Il large lump. 1t was my de-
sire to send you large piece, or, if posi-
bic. one of the stones entire, but all except
the largest one were broken up and the pie
ces distributed among persons who, while
the marvel lasts, attach to them great value.
The largest one (yet unbroken) is in posses
sion Of \. S. Miiholland, from whom, if de-
sirahe, you might possibly obtain it for the
Smithsonian.
You could, presume. obtain further in
formation, and probably specimen, by writ
ing to DR.. NJ. Mcdonnell or Rev. Mr.. Seig-
fred, 1T Concord Ohio. | write under very
nufavorahle circumstances, but hope that
you will be able TO dcciphcrit. Yours, truly,
JNo. G. TIpBALI, Lieut. I. 5. Army.
Prof. JOSEPH HENRY. Smithsonian Insttu.
IA n