The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-03-11
THE GREAT IOWA METEOR.
Recovery of a Fragment that Fell near
Homestead.

Prof n r. Leonard, of the Chair of
Mathematics and Astronomy, at the
Iowa State University, has had the good
fortune to secure portion of frag
ment of the meteor which fell near
Homestead, Iowa county, on Friday
evening, February II. The exact loca-
ton of its fall was the southeast quarter
of section 5, township 80 range 9 west.
It was on the farm of Mr.. Sherlock.
Some members of his family were re-
turning from a spelling school at the
time Of the descent, and saw, as they
thought, three or four fragments fall in
the direction of their house. Those of
the family who remained at home heard
this fragment as it went whizzing by,
and thought that it had passed over the
house. They sought for it next day
and the day following, but in conse-
quence of the deep snow did not find it
until Monday, when daughter of Mr..
S. found it about 80 rods northeast of
their house. Prof. Leonard has visited
the spot, and noted such items as were
attainable.
The meteor struck upon the snow and
ice just beyond little slough that run
through their pasture-feld, making a
very slight indentation in the ground,
and bounded northeast a distance of
thirty feet or more, up a slight declivity,
and came to rest upon the snow. It was
apparently warm when it fell, for, when
found, it was adherent to the ice and
snow underneath, so that it required
smart rap to loosen it. Prof. L. enter
tains the..suspicion that the place point
ed out is not the first place of striking,
but that when the snow goes off he shall
be able to find upon the other side of
the slough more decided mark or i'm
preston where it first alighted, and from
which it bounded to the spot first men
toned. This of course, is mere conjec-
ture, but it seems that the impression
made upon the ground where it first
alighted should have been more decided.
The weight of the entire fragment was
z pounds ounces, though we are sorry
to state that before Prof. l.. could gain
possession of it it had been reduced to 3
pounds ounces, to supply specimens,
not to men of science, but simply to
neighbors or curiosity hunters. This
multilation of the specimen is greatly to
be regretted, as it is everyway possible
that with the melting of the snow other
fragments now buried in the deep snow
drifts will be found. The hope is enter
tanned that the press and all who desire the
advancement of science in this rare and
deeply-interesting field will use all their
influence to prevent the multilation of
such other fragments as may be found,
and to urge that, preparatory to the
dividing up of the meteor among the
different museums or cabinets of the
state, it shall be collected at some place
so that it may be examined and photo
graphed as whole-or as nearly as pos
sible.
The specific gravity of the specimen
appears to be near $50, its structure
strong, with some adm1xture of iron.
The face of the fragment which formed
part of the surface of the original body
is covered with a comparatively thick,
black coating, not perfectly smooth;
while that face by which the fragment
was joined to the main body is coated in
like manner, but in a less degree.
TIE outer surface has the pitted ap-
pearance characteristic of such bodies.
Prof. Leonard has placed sample in
the hands of Prof Hierichs for chemical
analysis, and hopes soon to be able to
announce definitely as to the number and
proportion of the different elements it
contains