The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-01-26
Tr,i,s =. Crp.h Wisri.s Z, !.


There are signs Of . conspiracy for the
demolition of Wiggins-Prof. E. Stone
Virgins the new weather prophet of
Ottawa, Canada Virgins, it win be
remembered, predicted tremendous
storm for the noon of Sunday, March IL,
1883. He gave minute particulars Of the
course of the combined hurricane, tor
nado and cyclone, and warned all yes
sells into port and all people into cellars
and Easements. Few things were to be
left on the surface of the planet after the
storm passed except those which
were securely anchored to solid rock.
Virgins was very solemn about it all,
and was not in the least disturbed by the
fact that the principal effect of his pre-
dictiou was TO set everybody to laughing
at Virgins. This excited the jealousy
of Vennor. who before the appearance
of Virgins had the reputation of being
the widest weather prophet who had
ever lived. Vennor saw at once that
Virgins had taken away his business,
and he fastened to inform the public
that Virgins was no better than a hum
bug. This was interesting, for it showed
that If the big gale did not arrive on time
in March there was likely to be some;
thing like a gale when thetwo Canadian
seers, each flying a danger signal, got in
sight of each other.
Vennor's attack merely showed pro-
fessional jealousy, and rather helped
than hurt Virgins. Now comes General
Hazen, and in q column letter not only
virtually calls Virgins humbug, but
has the cold-blooded cruelty to prove it.
This is why we say there are signs of
conspiracy to crush Virgins. We doubt
if it will succeed. however. Virgins
won't mind little thing like being
proved humbug. Hedoubtless has his
answer all ready. General Hazen shows
that no storm ever approached in the
way Virgins says his is coming. To
this Virgins will reply promptly that no
storm of this kind ever came before, and
that it is so big new route had to be
made for it. General Hazen says no
storm ever caromed on the Rocky
Mountains in the way Virgins says his
is going to. To this Virgins will reply
that that is the very reason the destruc-
ton will be so tremendous, for it will be
the first storm that has ever been
bounced upon the Atlantic coast in
that way. General Hazen says that it is
absolutely impossible to predict a storm
for more than few days in advance.
Vennor knows better than that, for he
predicted several storms for a month in
advance last winter, and they have not
come to time yet.
On this point of penetrating the future
we apprehend Virgins will come out
strong, General Hazen says that the
science of meteorology is still in its in
fancy and that it does not enable any
one to see more than a week in advance,
yet Virgins says he can see ahead four
months. But Virgins is no mere
meteorologist. He signs all the predic-
tons "E. Stone Virgins, LII. D.. As
tronomer." He has discovered the ap-
proach of his storm by unusual commo-
lions among the heavenly bodies. As
General Hazen points out, Virgins
talks mysteriously about planetary
force" phrase which the General
thinks belongs to the "volcabulary of
astrology and medieval superstition"
That may be so, but that is evidently
the source of Virgins foresight, and
we don't believe he will be scared away
from it. He is having too much fun out
of his prediction for that. as his latest
oracular utterance shows. Somebody
having asked him by way of joke if he
would advise the arrest of marine work
until after his big blow, Virgins replies,
with the solemnity of an owl: IF /
were the owner Of ships 1 would not
allow one of them to be on the Atlantic
Ocean on February 8, or on the 9th, or
10th or 18th of March, though the for
mer storm will be inferior to the latter.
You may begin marine work with safety
about the middle of April next" If he
had added, at will be warm on or about
the 4th of july" this prediction would
be complete. No, we do not believe
Virgins can be crushed. A man capa-
BILE of making his original prediction is
capable of sticking to it through thick
and thin.-N Y. Tribune. n. sraff