The Helena independent., 1890-02-26
THE GoosE-BoYE PROPHET.
ir. sti1lmau. of Woodstock. a Great Ben
efactor of Humanity.

ir. stillmau, of Woodstock. a Great Ben
efactor of Humanity.
The last few years have seen the complete
allure and extinguishment of a long series
1 more or less able weather prophets
Virgins, De Voc, The almanac makers,
thers have come forward to claim the gift
{ prophecy only 10 demonstrate that they
ould not be relied upon. II may be said
hat since General Myers died and poetic
Old Probabilities whs changed into prosy
Predictions" no weather prophet has had
onor IN this land.
II is gratifying, therefore. to know that a
lew and entirely unpretentious weather
,rophet has come forward who appears TO
@ hitting the mark right along. Tais il
henry Stilmnn, Of Woodstock, Conn, if
be New York Times speaks the truth. He
ases his forecasts on the goose bone. II
be method is half as reliable as il appears
o be on superficial examination II cannot
all TO prove n general public blessing. for
s economy puts il within the reach of all.
The attention Of the Tunes is especially
alled 10 Mr.. Stillman by the Salamanca
Republican. which republisbes Mr.. Still
hams forecast OF the weather for the win
sr of 1880. The Salamanca editor
nows good thiilg when be sees il, and
e has done n public service in bringing
Ir. Stillman's forecast 70 mind at the very
me when il was being fulfilled.
Mr.. Stillman found IN September. by a
l. fNHl errla- .af h. NsaN
ere to have an open winter. II would be.
e said, even milder than the
inter Of 1850. There would be
more regular weather and not many
gys during which running winter would
'eeze.N Christmas, he foretold. would be
green, but wet and cold" January would
egin warm, but gradually grow colder. aud
h the latter half Of the month there would
several freezing days. The codest day
the winter. Mr.. Stlllman said.
ould be Jan. -. After that would
pme heavy thaws. February would be
sagreeable, with heavy SHOWS and rains,
id would burst into March with swollen
ouuiaip streams" Disastrous Hoods
| ipht also be looked for.
Mr. stillmsn undertook 10 fore'ell the
leather for only the three winter months.
december has passed and January also.
I'D the public can see how closely he has
IL il for two Of these months. Allowing
I,r differences between the goose bones at
lospheric conditions and other factors that
|stnr0lly enter into calculation, in Con
|acticut and New York IL is Of course safe
! say that at least 80 per cent. of his fore
st was correct. II February keeps up this
rcentare il is difficult 20 see why Mr..
illman's reputa ion and fortune should
II be mads. Already it ia clear that be
Iould be justified in publishingan almanac.
Mr.. stllman, il should be observed. is no
snal, haphazard observer OF goose bones.
le studies these bones with all the pat ence
pa intelligence that doctors give 20 the
lady OF the grip. Moreover, the goose
ON which the bone is taken must be Of
right sort. THE true prophetic bone"
SAWS, "cnn only be obtained from q
'ose that has n trace Of wild blood and
at was hatched out in the spring.
Ily other sort of goose is Ihble to
ristions IN its bones that are destructive
aeeurnte scientific calculations. Tue
,ose from which Mr.. Stillman made this I
inter predictions Wis Matched in Nav, 1
l. raised II himself that no deception
ould be praeticed on him. The bone is
y.ded into three parts, indicating the !
inter- months. Around the keel Of the
me, be SAYS, sis low Of dots indicating
Ie probable temperature. The darker
ese spots are the colder the weather is !
re TO be-"
Il will be seen that Mr.. Stillman ma akes no !
|cret Of his great discovery. though he does !
IT seek notoriety through IL. Evidently
| is a man who lives for his fellow-msu.
is neighboIs have come TO appreciate his |
|lrth. and not only believe his prophecies.
|lt hang goose bones in their houses.
acre they will be constantly re- !
inded Of fr. Stillman's services and