St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-27
wIGGsNs HEDGES.
He Didn't Say the Earthquake
Would be Destructive.-Prof. Proc
tor Scores II i'm.

Would be BestructiVe.-PrOf. Proc
tor Scores Him.
ST. LOUIS. Sept. ga dispatch from
Ottawa, Ont, states that Prof. Virgins is
now claiming that he has been miSrepre-
scented by the American press. He denies
that he ever related to correspondents the
chapter of horrors which has been given as
incidental to the fultillment of his predic-
ton for the goth inst.
81 simply said,' said he, shat earthquake
forces would be to the south of the Both
parallel of latitude. l never ventured any
predictions regarding the destructive nature
of the storm on that parallel at ALL"
The English astronomer, Richard A.
Proctor, in an article in the Post Dispatch
regarding Mr.. Virgins prophecy, says:
1t appears to me shameful that any man
fully aware of the mischief he is doing should
spread abroad predictions of coming disaster
i'll such sort that foolish folk are likely to be
disturbed and terrified Mr.. Virgins, half
educated and wholly un5cienti6c employee OF
the meteorological office in Ottawa, has long
endeavored to acquire cheap reputation as
a weather prophet OF that kind which of
itself assures the student of science that the
weather prophet is either utterly ignorant Or
exceedingly knavish.
Mr.. Proctor asserts that Mr.. Virgins
alleged discovery of a second moon is but
ItiufGlGtOli. OH duOptCu Y, dllu SuS-
tains his statement by quotations from Tice
and M. Petit, of Marseilles, and shows that
the existence of a second lunar body similar
to our visible moon is an impossibility.
"Mr. Wiggins," continues the writer,
''claims to have predicted the earthquake of
Aug. 81, but truly he has so continually
threatened storms and earthquakes that no
great disturbance of either sort could steer
clear of his predictions. He now loudly pro-
hat fba ir1St hfao
other great earthquake, one of the most ter
rife upheavals ever known on this continent.
He knows that such a prediction will attract
attention for awhile to his name; that if no
disturbances should take place on the 29th or
near enough to that date to seem like fulfill
ment of his prediction, people will soon for
get the failure of his prophecy and be as
rash as ever to listen to him again. 1t may,
however, be perhaps asked whether there is
not some reason for regarding the 29th of
September as a day of danger. Even Wig
gins, it may be suggested, must at least i'm
agine reasons for his predictions. as the
Tices, the Vennors, the Grmmers and others
of the mischevious tribe have imagined for
theirs in the past.
Mr.. Proctor then goes on to show that
certain well-knoWn astronomical facts have
probably induced Mr.. Virgins to make his
late prediction, one being the slight tend
ency of earthquakes to increase during the
months of August and September, and
another that earth throes are more apt to
occur when the moon is in or near her point
of nearest approach to the earth and in or
near the line connecting the earth and sun
than at other times. The moon will be in
such position during the latter part of the
present month. But such conditions. Mr..
Proctor observes recur year after year and
resulting earthquakes are no more liable to
occur this year than in any September of
the coming century.
CHARLESTON, S. c., Sept. 26.-No
shocks occurred here last night The
weather is fine to-day, and most of the city
congregations attended services in their
own churches The open-air worship on
the battery continued, and was largely at
tended. The city is crowded with eX-
cursionists. A thorough examination
shows that the damage to the venerable and
beautiful Huguenot church is about Sc, 900,
and the congregation contemplates sending
its pastor, Rev. DR.. Vedder, to the North
to appeal to the Huguenots throughout the
country for contributions to make the neces-
sary repairs. This congregation was among
the heaviest sufferers by the earthquake.
The signal Office here applied to the
weather bureau at Washington for indica-
lions covering the period of Virgins pre-
dicted earthquake. Tonight the following
dispatch was received from Gen. HaZen:
There are at present no indications of any
severe atmospheric disturbances between
now and the 30th. Timely notice will be given
you should any change occur.