The Lincoln County leader. [volume] (White Oaks, Lincoln County, N.M.) 1882-189?, 1882-12-02
AN ELECTRICAL STORM.

The Toledo Journal thus graphi-
cally describes the electrical dis
o. rbances which passed over the
country on the 18th inst.
After a dull dim day the clouds
lifted at nightfall leaving the air
unaccountably clear and keen. This
was followed with the white light
Of early dawn, with the stars shin
ing clear though seeming much
smaller than on ordinarily clear
night, and the crescent moon in
the Western horizon bright golden
by way of contrast. Then streams
Of pale vapors darted up from the
horizon, not only in the north but
in the east and in the west, shoot
ing even to the zenith; breaking
into little clouds and Jets. dancing
like silver ribons; hurrying, chas-
ing, like white-robed children play
ing at hide and seek in the far aisles
of air.
From ten to eleven o'clock the
spectacle was the most sublime, as
after that the dark rain clouds
came up from the east and partially
obscured the wonderful demonstra-
ton. At that hour the light be-
came roseate and palpitant in the
northeast, as if blown from a great
bellows and propelled in gusts and
bands upward to the zenith. We
have seen the aurora more brilliant
in color, but never when it 50 filled
the entire heavens and revealed
itself in such variable and fantastic
forms as upon that memorable Fri
day night.
Telegraph officials throughout
the country pronounce the electri-
cal disturbances the most wide
spread for years, and in some re-
spects unparalleled in extent and
violence. From Chicago to point
in Omaha and from Kansas City
north to the terminus of telegraphic
facilities communication was prac-
tically suspended. The storm
seemed to progress in negative and
positive waves, alternately neutral
izing the currents on the wires OF
increasing their intensity to burn
ing poipt. AT Chicago the switch
board was a dozen times on fire
during the forenoon and some OF
the keys of the instruments were
melted by the current as it passed
through. The duplex and quadru
plex wires were rendered entirely
useless and at noon communica
ton was kept up with New York
by single wire only and that al
times could not be operated. Al
Milwaukee the atmospheric elec
tricity, coming in one of the wires
had dynamic power sufficient tC
keep a lamp buring. Business
was practically suspended. A
Cincinnati the wires were worked
between columbus and st. Louis
without battery.
Brilliant auroreal displays were
seen in the night at Omaha, whcr,
it was as light as day, while at St
Paul the heavens were blood rec
and the display grand beyond DIES
cription. At Cheyenne and othe.
points heard from the display wa
marvellous.
A scientific discovery, resulting
from the storm, was that by taking
two wires from the ground between
any two given points, and joinin!
the ends together, instead of tn,
same being grounded, a circuit wa
formed which could be successful,
worked. In this way eight wire
made to serve the purpose Of fou
between Chicago and Buffalo. BE
tween these points the long wire
were broken up into short circuits
by means of which points east an,
west were reached.
The storm extended Throughout
the United States and Canada an,
will 60 on record as one Of tn
most phenomenal in the history {
telcgraphy.
-s-S-$--
IL.