New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-24
TROUBLED BY sH0WERS OF STONES.
PHENOMENON PULLING MoUSTAINEERs IN
WEST VIRGINIA.

- 'O-AAs.'ON FOLLIINO ~
WEST VIRGINIA.
hinton W. Va, Aug 90 GpeciaD-The people
living on New River Mountain in this (summers
county are much wrought UP by a phenomenon which
mas oeen witnessed there at intervals for several
months but only recently assumed startling proper
uons' In May reports were circulated of mys-
'cnous rain OF tiny stones. which apparently came
out OF the ether. At first these attracted little atten-
toh' out as time passed the reports became general
In May several stones fell IN a clearing near the
cabin Of Cy.' Heny, who lives hah way UP the
north slope Of the mountain. These were Jagged
pieces OF sandstone the size OF walnut As there is
an Oh trail and quarry, occasionally used by the
mountaneers, high above him on the mountain, all
the notice Henly took OF the matter was TO curse the
persons supposed TO have thrown the stones. One
night In June, however, he awakened by sounds
on his roof like the falling of hail As he had
little garden patch he uneasy as to the effect Of
the hall Examination In the morning developed that
the htil was composed Of tiny stones. Ienly spoke
OF this TO other monnaineers, and IL learned that
stones had fallen at other points on the mountain.
In July clearing almost on top Of the mountain
was visited By desultoTy rain OF stones, many Of
them striking buildings with loud noise and bounding
of. A popularity OF this shower was the presence
OF several pebbles which as rare on that mountain
as icicles in August.
The superstition OF the mountalneers was aroused,
and some strange theories were advanced. The re-
ports grew as they went. A newspaper In a neghbOr-
ing county recently printed story that showers OF
stones were constant the mountains and that
business suspended account Of the excited
dition OF the populaoe. The fact that the popuace
consists OF not than dozen families scattered
over the mountains and there never any business
to suspend The most peculiar manifestations occurred
on the farm OF Ellison Fosman, justice OF the peace
living on the south slope Several stones had fallen
here at intervals OF day 50. and Ed' Meegers.
school teacher Of tho vicinity. went to Fosmans TO in
vestcae. stone heard TO fall in the ward. and
after some search Meekcrs found it. II almost
sunk beneath the hard surface OF the ground and
smooth black and Of perfectly oval shape, and about
the size OF robins egg. Meehers said 1t was warm
when he touched IT, Just "a he stopped another stone
struck him sharp blow in the small Of the back This
stone was scarcely larger than lima bean, and about
the same shape although not regular stone about
as large as mans fist and resembling brown hematite
iron ore fell on the roof OF Addison Butts house. two
miles from Fosman's and. bounding off, fell into
barrel Of water standing at the Of the house
n slzzled like hot iron and sent up little cloud OF
steam This stone Is undoubtedly Of mce0rc 0flgln
as some OF the Others be- but the average falling
stone Is an irregular Jagged bit OF sandstone and small
Tyics are broken OF trees, shingles spin ana corn
broken down Probably bushel OF these stones have
fallen I'm ALL In the clearingS. II, a. seems probable
the phe nomenon ~as been general over the mountain
River Nolntan the widest reports receive crcdence
and the Rev John Austin, local Baptist eNhcrter IS
usine them with startling effect at nightly revival
meetings in the little log schoOl-house.