The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-05-23

". AT the .. n. extremity tue stones arc
| from few ounces to two poundes in weight,
and increase towards New Concord, where
they are OF the size above designated. The
stones present uniform appearance, they are
irregular blocks, are very heavy and covered
with black crust which seems burnt into the
surface. They have no sharp angles as OF re-
cent fracture, but have the appearance of rocks
exposed to the abrading action of water and
wether until the angles have become round
ing. ,-
When struck with hammer they give me-
tallic ring quite distinct in the larger speci
mems. They have small indentations upon
them as ifthey had been touched with the fin
gers when in plastic. state. When broken
they present light blueish gray appearance
and seem to have particles Of a white metal in
them. said to be an alloy Of Nickel and Iron.
The only difference that can see in them is
the texture of some is coarser than others,
and one specimen in my possession has some
brownsh particlesin it. found the specific
gravity of one to be 8. AZ; of an other 3.47, or
about three and half times heavier than wa
ter. They are considerably heavier than lime =
stone. They differ in all their character from
the rocks in this vicinity and from any that
ever seen. These are the facts SO far as have
ascertained.
The question arises how is the phenomen-
on to be explained? There are but two the
ories which in any measure explain the circum
stances attending the fall Of aerolites one is CAL
led the planetary hypothesis the other the lunar
hypothesis. The planetary hypothesis supposes
that at some former period large planet re-
volved around the sun between Mars and Ju-
piter at the distance OF two hundred and fifty
millions Of miles from the sun. That by some
violent internal or external means this planet
was broken to pieces, forming graat number
OF small planets, called Asteroids. Over fifty
OF these asteroids have been discovered; astron-
omers have almost demonstrated that these or
igin ally belonged to one planet. These aero
lites are supposed to be fragments of that plan
ct that have been thrown beyond the attractive
influence Of the large piece and from some dis
turbng causes are from time to time drawn
within the atmosphere of the Earth and fall to
its surface.
The Lunar hypothesis is that those aerolites
are thrown from volcanoes on the Moon with
sufficient force to propel them beyond the
sphere of her attraction, and consequently with
in the attractive influence ofthe Earth, whittier
they fall. Some philosophers attempt to de-
monstrate that-owing to the extreme tenuity Of
the Moons atmosphere it only requires force
four times as grert as that ordinarily commun-
icated to projectle by cannon TO carry them
within the attractive influence Of the earth
Both theories, however. are open TO serious OBJ :
jections.
HON. ]. C ALpRIGHT's sTATMENT. .-
The Phenomena of the lst Of May 1860 Full Of
Metoric Stones in Guernesy County Ohio.
Mr. Eltor:--As the fall Of large number Of
aerolites, or metoric stones over portion OF this
country between the hours Of IL M. and p.
NJ, on Thursday, the lst instant, has created
much excitment among the people Of this sec.
ton of Ohio; and as the country is full ofru-
IN RS in relation to the matter, many OF which
are erroneous, have thought proper 10 give
through the med um of your papet. some facts,
the knowledge Of which has come to me, from
investigation, and from the statments
of scores Of the most reliable persons residing
in the district of country, over which the stones
fell.
The day was calm and somewhat cloudy.
At the time of the occurrence of phenomenon,
the clouds presented broken or detached ap-
pearance. The sound attending the fall of the
stones was very loud, and is described by many
persons as the report Of cannons, followed by
volleys Of musketry, and terminating in a pecu-
liar roaring in the higher atmosphere, dying
awayin South eastern direction. The contin-
uance of the sound is generally estimated, by
observers, at about two minutes. Heard at this
place, the sound seeming to commence at q
point in tho air little west and terminating,
as before stated, in the Southeast. How far
the sound was heard we cannot say, but we
have learned, from reliable sources, that it was
observed as far west as Columbus; east, beyond
Wheeling, and south, at Marietta. At this,
place, Cumberland, Sarahsvile, Senecaville
Washing ton and Woodesfeld houses were felt
to shake, SO much so in instances, as to cause
windows to rattle. This was, doubtless, the
case in other localities, from which we have
not heard.
SOME OF THE STONES THAT FELL.
The following is list of the stones picked
up, most of which have seen and the descrip'
tions of thes others were derived from genteme
OF undecided veracity: .....-
No. l. Fell on the farm of Mr.. Law, on the
National Road and railroad in Westland town
ship. about mile east ofthe west line ofGuern-
sey county. This stone weighed entire about
Sc pounds. This is the largest one that we
have heard of. ...
No2 Found on the farm of Mr.. Amspoker
Westland township, and weighed 50 pounds.
No. 8, Also found on the Amspoker farm,
and weighed something less than No. q.
No. 4. Fell on the farm of Mr.. Torrence
same township, and weighed Al pounds. 1t
was found by Mr.. McClenahan, Principal OF the
Cambridge Union School, f~'essl
No s. This stone weighed So pounds, and
fell on the farm Of Reasoner, Westland tp. Mr..
McClenahan obtained abont half of this stone.
1t and No. A, have been at Cooks hotel IN this,
place, for several days, and seen by hundreds of
persons. ....3
No. @. Fell near the house of Mr.. Philips