Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-09-22

From gentleman VINO ATrlV(O ne1e
Yesterday, we learn that an entire family
in Faison's township. Sampson county,
died very recently, and under such peca-
liar ciroumstan ces, that the neighbors
have suspected foul play, and have there.
fore taken measures to have the matter
thoroughly Investigated. On the evening
of the Oh inst. Mr.. Exum Morris, the
father OF the family, was taken suddenly
very i'll with burning pains across his
stomach. He rapidly grew worse. and ex'
Machine Morris, his wife, aged 40. also
died. having suffered in similar manner.
On the 18th, child named Ruth, daugh-
ter of the above. and aged only months,
was taken ill and died, and on the 18th
Charles, son to the above couple, and aged
years, also died.
There were natural grounds for suspi-
cion and the stomachs of the
two children were taken out and
were yesterday brought to this city and
given in charge of DR.. D. III. Buie, for the
purpose of making an analysis OF their con-
tents.
Mr.. Exum was an old and highly res
dected citizen of Duplin county, and the
sudden decase Of himself and family has
cast deep gloom over the surrounding
section. The neighbors, in general. believe
that the entire family were poisoned. and
there are strong suspicious, we under
stand, of those who committed the horrible
deed.
Thursday-TheOry I'm Explanation.
Mr.. EDITOR The peculiar phenomenon
observed around the sun Thursday, is one
very easily explained by Optics. 1t is one,
however, very rarely seen. The cause of
it was a rain cloud which occupied such a
position with respect to the sun, and OBJ
servers here, as to produce a rainbow
The light of the sun falling upon the glob-
u!es of water was decomposed as if by q
prism. aud suffusing rt fraction and refec
ton produced the bow. The paler or sup
plementry bows were produced by
those drops Of water at higher
altitude above tie earth. Clouds,
as you know, may not always be
composed OF water Ia the gtObular TO RIM,
but may be vapor, hail or snow, and
moreover, very rarely chance TO occupy
just the position requisite &c produce such
a phenomenon. Other instances have
been known, in fact, have come under the
writer's observation. The bow was q COM
plete circle, because there was no earth to
interfere, as is usual when the sun il at
low altitude.
In reference to t|tss other matter,
the predicted Tidal Wave is such
gross absurdity that it hardly
deserves notice. That such q notion
or prediction emanated from Agassz. or
any other man Of science. is preposterous,
or, to say the least, paying a very poor
to their scientific attsinments.
In the first place. such an occurrence de-
ponds upon cause $ which do not admit of
any prediction. For instance, a most
violent and unprecedented earthquake
might cause such rush of waters from the
Equator to the Poles or if the revolu-
tons of the earth on its axis were to stop,
it would most certainly happen, But who
can predict either of these causes No
one has ever yet been able to predict the
occurrence OF al earthquake, nor does
anything we know lead us to expect that
the revolution of the earth sill be stayed
for myriads of years to come. X. W.