The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1881-11-03
BELLEVUE, La. THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 5, 1881 -

neard number of times in the morn
ing. The clouds soon began to ris
rom the southwest, with a gentl
preeze. and there were several smal
showers at other hours throughout tn,
uay. Ihe water that fell was found 1,
nave an unusual character, BEING thick
oarK and sooty. One observer in tb,
eastern part of Massachusetts state
I.as the strange appearance and smell
" ene river water which the people hat
saved IN tubs was tho subject of uniyer
sal and wondering remark. On exam
laing the water there was found a lirbt
scum upon 1t, which on being rubbed
oetween the thumb and finger seemed
i 70 resemble the ashes of burnt leaves
the water also gave the Same strono
sooty smell which characterized t5s
ar. A similar appearance in this re.
sPect was especially exhibited on the
merrimac River, large quantities o.
niack scum being seen floating upon
the surface of that stream during the
Gay. In the night the wind yeered
round to the northeast and drove this
substance toward the south shore. the
width OF the deposit being some four
or i've inches. Professor Williams
states that he put out several sheets 81
clean paper in the air and rain. When
they had been out four or five hours he
dried them by the fire. They were
much sullied and became dark in their
color, and felt as If they had been rub
ped with Oil or grease; but in burninc
them there could not be detected any
suiphurous or nitrous particles.
| It was noted that while the darkness
continued, the clouds were in Quick
motion. interrupted. skirted one over
another, so as to formal least to the
eye OF the beholder-a considerable
number OF strata, the lower stratum
being OF uniform height as far as WIS.,
lble; but this height was conceived TO
De very slight from the small extent of
the horizon that could be seen. And It
was generally remarked that the
nils might be seen at q distance in
some directions, while the intermediate
spaces were greatly obscured or dark
ened. To this may be added that durinp
the darkness objects seemingly cast q
shade in every direction, and in MANY in
stances there were various appearances
OF corruscations in the atmosphere
not unlike the aurora borealis, though
1t ls not stated that any uncommon ex-
hibltlons of electricity were witnessed
during the day. In some accounts,
however, it is mentioned that number
OF small birds were found suffocated
by the vapor; some were found dead.
and some few affrighted or stupefed
into the houses.
The darkness appeared to be most
gross in Essex County, Mass, the lower
part of the State of New HAMPSHIRE.
and in portions of what was then the
province OF Maine. 1t was not SO great
In Rhode Island and Connecticut, and
still less IN New York; in New Jersey
the second stratum of clouds was OBJ
served, but it was not of any great
thickness, nor was the darkness very
uncommon; in the lower parts of Penn
sylvania no extraordinary scene was
Through the whole extent of
country referred to, the lower-cloud
stratum had an uncommon brassy hue.
while the earth and trees were adorned
with SO enchanting q verdure as could
not escape notice, even amidst the un-
usual atmospheric gloom that accom-
panied it. The darkness of the follow
ing evening was probably as deep and |
dense as ever had been observed since
The Almighty fiat gave birth to light.
L wanted only palpabiity to render it |
IS extraordinary as that which over
spread the land of Egypt in the days of
Moses. II every luminous body in the
universe had been shrouded in impene-
,rable shades or struck out of existence,
{ was thought the darkness could not
nave been more complete. A sheet of
white paper held within few inches of
tho eyes was equally invisible with the
1lackest velvet.
In view of all the information con-
aimed in the various accounts of the /
lay, it appears very certain that the
was charged with an un-
'recedented quantity of vapor-from
What primary cause has never been sat-
sfactorily determined-and as the
weather. had been clear, the air heavy
nd the winds light and variable for
many days, the vapors instead of dis.
'ersing must have been constantly ris-
ng and callecting in the air until the
became highly charged
With them. 1t being thus evident that
he atmosphere was. from some peculiar
ause (perhaps great fires in distant
Foods) charged in high degree with /
apors, and that these vapors were of
itferent densities, and occupied differ
Mt heights, the deduction is that by
his means the rays of light falling on
hem must have suffered variety of
efractions and reflections, and thereby
ecame weakened, absorbed or so re-
ected as not to fall upon objects in the ,
sual manner, and as the different va
ors were adapted by their nature, situ-
tion or density to absorb or transmit ,
ne different kinds of rays, so the colors :
objects would appear to be affected !
y the mixture or prevalency of those /,
lys which were transmitted through !.
, uncommon medium. This was the
xplanation suggested by Professor .
Iilliams, though not to the exclusion
other theories. II
But large numbers conceived and held !
le most strange opinions concerning 4
le cause of so marvellous an occurrence. 4
y some it was attributed to an eclipse J
the sun; by others to o transit of
on1,o ay Mosrr,rxy =. r,<,y, tho 1scE cf 4boI