Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-10-03
DANGER OF THUNDER.
Prof, C. A. johnson Makes Some
Startling Revelations.
TIE LIMITS OF RAPID TRANSIT
An Electrical Air Line From New York to
Liverpool Promised.
VOLCANIC ERUPFIoNs IN PITTSBURG

Prof. G. A. johnson, "the well-known
professional astronomical lecturer, editor
and proprietor of the British Lion, pub
lished at Hamilton, Ont.," amused an audi
ence of eight at the colored Methodist Epis-
copal Church, at the corner of Fulton and
Clark streets, last evening, to say nothing
of the instruction he gave his auditors. The
lecturer made some most surprising state
ments, which, coming from any other
source, would Immediately be branded as
false. but as the professors reputation is so
great and his fame worldwide, the fulfill
ment of his predictions only need be looked
forward to.
The professor may be slightly off on dates,
but if he doesn't know what he is talking
about no one else does. His very slim audi
ence can easily be explained. The profess
sor's hundreds of friends doubtless looked
upon the subject OF Thunder in its Se-
cret Places as very dangerous one
to handle during such weather, fearful
that the thunder might leave its ''secret
hiding place" and sweep down upon the
little church and exterminate those who had
the temerity to question its right to 'secret
away. Their fears were unfounded, how
ever. or perhaps the crowd was too small for
thunder to condescend to tackle.
WHAT IT BRIsTLED WITH.
Notwithstanding the extremely small
audience, Prof. johnson gave his lecture,
and it bristled with good points and eulogies
of his own great mind.
'Some people may think it is lightning,
and not thunder, that kills. said the lee
turer, Franklin and Herschel advanced
this idea, but they are not my equals. I am
superior in intellect to either of them. have
demonstrated beyond doubt that it is the
lightning causes the injuries, but come to the
rescue, and prove that it is thunder that the
people want to keep away FROM. A man IS
often killed when there is no lightning, When
or the noise that killsf Why, any
one knows that il is neither, but the
ball. So in a thunder storm, neither
the noise nor the fash hurts anyone. 1t is the
thunder-bolt. You have read of the church
that was set on fire and several people killed.
No noise was heard; no fash was seen, but
ball of fire as largo as the moon was seen to
pass over the town.
why, my friends" continued Prof. johnson,
'it is acknowledged by all that it is dangerous
to whistle, or run or ride fast during an elec-
the storm, or he is in danger. This question Of
lightning is yexed one and could expect no
one but myself to upravel it. have made my
self famous by my discoveries in this line, and
other great scientists are glad to grovel at my
feet and learn from what have to say.
NOT OF THE OLD SCHOOL.
"At my home, in Hamilton, have an i'm
mense telescope which brought from England,
at q cost of 81. 500, that I might study the
heavenly bodies from my astronomical observ-
atory. l am not a man of the old astronomical
school, My ideas are advanced. It is my
mission to upset the old theories, and establish
a new set of ideas.
II cannot see why the sun would not be con-
sumed in 20 years, if it were not for the fiery
meteors that fall into it from time to time.
That is grand idea. to be sure! 1t is not my
intention to frighten you. 1 merely want to
give you some surprising statements. can
give you more ideas in Is minutes than any
man can in an hour. Why. sir, Is months
beautiful city will be convulsed in a terrible
explosion. 1t can't be avoided An immense
volcano will appear in an instant, and there
will be an opening quarter of mile long,
from which fire and smoke will issue, and
which will occasion terrible loss OF life and
damage to property. am here to warn you
and to tell you the signs to watch for. Fierce
looking comets will sweep across the sky. and
hundreds of shooting stars will be seen.
Rivers will overflow andmen will become sick
and giddy.
within the next six months the photo
grapher can sit in Allegheny and take the pic
ture Of man in this church. This will be
done by the wonderful electricity Why, gen.
tlemen, six months from now an electrical air
line will connect New York and Liverpool, and
the distance can be travelled in just hours, Is
minutes and four seconds. Wonderful To
you 1t may be surprising, but to one of my
mind 1t can easily be seen through.
ALLOWED A PREDICTION.
"Allow me to make another prediction, my
good friends" said the professor. and as no
one was able to deny him that privilege, he
went on. Five years from now the gastric
juices will potruds through the human being
and as man can live always on nothing but air.
ill the morning man can get up. and walking
out in the bright sunshine. take good Whit of
air and be satisfied all day.
Nov. my friends, have given you sur
prising lecture; truly wonderful lecture! And
in closing, want to thank all the subscribers
of the British Lion who were kept away by the
lnclement weather.
The president of the evening" the Rev. Mr.
Watson, was called upon to make few re-
marks in closing, and, in the course of his talk,
said, regarding the statement of the Professor
about living on air: THAT all sounds very wei J.
but for me, much prefer large, juicy steak"