Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-08-13

America the most are found. Where
they come from has caused much dis
cussion. One theory is that meteors
originally came from the earth, and
were due to stupendous volcanic erup-
tons OF ages gone, when the meteors
were thrown beyond the attraction of
the earth, and sent revolving around
the sun. ANY. stone thrown at the
rate of six miles second
would not return again to
to the earth, but would be thrown
outside of the attractive power.
Everyone of these must in time enter
the orbit of the earth, and must, of
course, return to it. The earth, as she
swings her pondereus bulk in her or
bit, encounters about Nov. 1S. the me-
teor zone This gigantic hoop or
eclipse consists of a swarm of particles
following Temples comet in its orbit.
The visitor from the star depths, on
arriving within the solar domain,
ventured too near the planet Uranus.
The planet captured the comet and
forced it heDceforth to revolve within
the boundaries of the solar system,
the event probably occurring IN the
second century of the Christian era
The perihelion of the comets orbit
rests on the earth's orbit, where she
passes on Nov. IS, and its aphelion
extends beyond the orbit of Uranus.
a process of dislntegratioa is going
on, and the debris of the comet and
the swarms of meteors are gradually
scattering through the whole zone,
only one>tenth OF which is now filled
densely with the meteor swarnls. The
period of revolution is about thIrty>
three years, and 2 grand disply occurs
only at these intervals, when the earth
crosses the densest portion Of the zone.
The last memorable display was in
1867; the next is expected in 1899
Observers on the nights of the 18th,
18th, 18th, and 14th of November will
be sure TO see q few meteors, and there
is always possibility that an unex~
pected number of falling stars may
make the heavens respondent with
their fiery trains On Oct. %, 1910,
persons present at the NorthpOrt
camp ground, in Waldo county, Ne,
saw a meteorite fall into the water
near the camp As it fell it burst into
fragments, that was the conclusion
OF those who witnessed its descent.
Search was made at the time for frag
ments, but none were then found, the
tide at all times covering the spot
where the meteorite struck the water.
Two years ago one who Witnessed the
fall again made g search, and some
fragments were recovered. From time
to time the search has been continued
and other fragments have been
brought to light, one Of which was
considerably sent to Prof. K. @. Rob>
inson, Of BoWdoin college. More re-
Gently quite large mass, weighing
perhaps 20 pounds, was removed, and
this mass Prof Robinson now has in
his possession. A dispatch from
Sherman, Tex, dated as late as Jane
6, 1885, gives an account of a very GU
rious meteor 1t says "a meteor of
remarkable size was seen near mid
night last night, moving in south
westerly direction. The sky was
brilliantly illuminated by it for sever
al seconds. a moment after the mo
teor had disappeared a loud explosion,
similar to the discharge of heavy arr
tillery, was heard, accompanied by a
perceptible shock, which ratified the
glass in the court house windows.
The phenomena was followed by q
rumbing like distant thunder. The
meteor appeared to he about the size
of flour barrel. 1t was also seen at
Mckinney, 35 miles distant, where a
kissing sound was beard, greatly
alarming some colored people who
were returning from a prayer meet
ing, aud causing them to take fight,
shouting that the day of Judgment
he'd come. "