The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-05-23

Of peace abrogated martial law in the South
and that there will be no military interior
ence in the approaching trial Of Jefferson
Davis.
Aerolits.
On Sunday morning last much excite
ment was visible here on hearing that
about 8 miles west Of McGregor, on or
near the Monona road, a large meteoric
stone had como down and was on exhibit
ton free of charge. Its fall had been
preceded by hidcous, Misunderstanding,
heavy-artillcry-sort of sound, which alarm
ell all who heard it. This sound was heard
about P. NJ. on Monday, May 7th, and
there are 100 persons in and about the i'm
mediate vicinity of this city who aver that
the strange sounds were noticed by them
selves, and in some female cases created
alarm. Men passed it by as new fashion
ed thunder and thought no more of it un-
til this rock and "sound" story came to
town and got up inquiry. Well, the Evans
Bus was loaded with II curiosity hunters (:
Jerry's open bus was filed Also horses
to eaci-private carriages, and even lum-
Der wagons were soon on the road to view
the Stone! How they got there we do not
know, but it is said the bus passengers an
ticipated terrible trial of nerve on intro
duction to that celestial stone, and supplies
were laid in to prevent fainting be this as
it may they soon reached the place, and,
much to their sorrow, there was no such
stone there! Calling on the farmer, Mr..
Tousley, he testified to the terrible sound,
as did his neighbors, and also to having
seen body apparently rs large as barrel
descending toward earth at an angle of
450, and at height of 100 feet, when it
passed from his sight among the tree-tops,
and almost instantly shock made the earth
tremble where he stood. This story was
confirmed by others some families in the
vicinity fell on their knees in PRAYER. &C..
&c. After search of three days without
finding the stone-the under-brush for
miles in the woods is now very thick-the
discoveries Of the wonder abandoned fur
Their examination. The McGregors return
ed from their trip lively and somewhat
plagued: the affair is called "big SELL"
and the Is or 80 who went out "for to
see," carrying tape-lines to measure the
critter and stone-hammers to knock it into
keepsakes, were most literally laughed at
i'm many instances by those who would
also have gone but for want of room in the
bus or carriage The visitors numbered
most Of the boys" in town who have a
taste for science or an eye to fun-that
portion which introduces the Fourth of
July and remembers Christmas. Many of
them yet believe that the stone can and
will be found in the neck of woods spoken
Of They say, and so does DR.. Lardner in
his lectures-so does the Encyclopedia-so
do various thorities-indeed the fact is
undenied in the scientific world-that such
meteors have fallen at various periods and
in various places-they are now on exhi-
bition in the museums of the old world
and the new; and if happening once or
dozen times, why not repetition here as
likely as anywhere? The only safety for
Ignorance is to doubt and remain in his
cave. Not so Science-she has no cave,
and hence she is always ready to investi-
gate: one failure does not make her
skeptic; she tries again, and oft-times bril-
liant success crowns her confidence and
her labor; while Ignorance wraps the man.
tic of distrust about him, and if drawn
from his den at all he follows the lighted
lamp Of his opponent at a distance just
convenient enough to laugh derisively if it
goes out, or to rush up and congratulate
should Science be successful.
A good deal of fun is being had over.
this, but the boys care not much. It is
said they found the stone "over towards
Bigelows woods spoken of being
near the Bigelow farm. It is also intima-
ted that the stone proved to be brick, and
that specimens were brought home in their
hats!
But this is too long an article for SO
short subject. Will some learned gent
please give the world oil he knows and
more too on this meteoric question, and
"oblige respectfully yours?"
DR.. Lardner suggests that inasmuch as
such stones are unlike anything yet found
on carth, they may be sent by volcanic ac-
ton from the Moon with such force as to
reach the attractive power Of the Earth,
end hence these visits to US. We hope
they will fall somewhat seldom and very
gently in the neighborhood Of OUR resi-.
0eAc0.
Too small IN attempt at wit, WILLIS
that in your laat issue. True, that paper
would be false to its instincts for the
last six years without an occasional refer
snce TO the personal behavior, habit and
dress Of the Senior Of the TINES, and if il
Il ~ hensdt to "the company IF, q,
used 70 hksaid, 1t takes in the country -
-ws ere eeod,natured enough to pass il
OF - IN Addsosial necessity. Can't you
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