Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-02
INTERESTING ITEMS.
An AMAZING SIGHT.
Astronomical Phenomiro-CoEns In
the Sky-Fsa9ers Of an Oct
stretched Hand-Signs in
the Heyrsas.
IF ON the Philadslphia Starr


About half-past eight o'clock last
Thursday evening, there appeared
a Singular and amazing sight. 1t
was witnessed by the writer Of this
and number of his friends anG
relatives, and by others residing in
Roxboro and in the city proper. A
band or column Of light was seen
extending from point Of the hori-
zon about n. N. W., and nearly
perpendicular to the zenith. This
was its position as. seen by the VII
ter of this, whose attention was d.
rected exclusively to the phenomina
as it appeared in the northern skier.
Others say that it EXTENDED en-
tirely across the skies, from the
northern to the southern horizon.
To the right or east of this band OF
light, and not far from it, several
other columns of light we're seen.
They were Of unequal length, vary
ing apparently from fifteen to TWEEN
ty feet, with their lower ends rest
ing upon the same base line, at a
point midway between the horizon
and the zenith, the tops extending
toward the zenith. They we're about
equal distances from each other at
the base, and lightly diversing from
each other at the top. The base OF
each column was cut off on a straight
line, while the tops were somewhat
irregular.
The shape of each was by some
persons compared to imperiectly
formed collins. The wliter of this
believes they were similar in shape
to those seen in Germany, a short
time previous to the breaking out
of the late war between Prussia
and France, and which were DIES.
cribed by the German papers as
resembling swords. and believed to
indicate the certainty of q great
war in Europe. A friend who saw
the sight on Thursday night, des-
cribes the short columns as resemb.
ling the fingers of hand outstretch'
ed, pointing upward The color Of
each column and the hand of light
was the same. While gazing upon
this singular and awe-inspirine
sight, tie phenomine faded and be-
came but slightly visible. 1t thel
again became bright Gas distinct a:
the moon on o clear night ant
this changing process was repeated
three or four times, and soon aftel
the whole became invisible. /
lasted about ten minutes.
@Alaska has coal of superio,
quality. .-
~The debt of Florida is Sc
down at $14,5OO,OOO.
b~The Sisters Of Mercy Of Oma
ha sent $50, 900 to Chicago.
D@It is estimated that the Da
rien Canal will cost $4,000, 900.
~About $4,000 men are en-
gagged clearing away the ruins i
Chicago.
~Up to October 16, $21, 100000
of the Virginia State debt has bee
funded.
Many young men are SO in
provident they cannot keep any
thing but late hours.
nara LONDON jeweler ha- been fiv
years at work upon a watch, and
will be woi III $40 900 when finished
6rIn libel suit against a new
paper, at Little Rock, Arkansas, fc
$4,000, the plaintiff obtained 81
damages.
l6-The women of Massachuset
nav taxes on one ilund Led aud t.'',t
two million dollars-nearly one-tent
of all the taxable properly sn The Sta.
$The steam power employed
the United States does the labor
40, 200, 900 men, while that of Gre
Britain is equivalent to 400, 600, zoo.
HRober Collyer's church, de
troyed in Chicago, was one OF Il
finest ecclesiastical structures for Co
gregational service in the country. an
cost 100000.
~Adolphe Theirs is slow pei
man and never punctuates. Mo
Of the copy for his numerous bool
was dictated to q German, JACK