Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-05-12
STRUCK BY A METEOR.
A Remarkable Experience With a Fiery
Messenger.

"Wouldn't you consider it a remark
able thing to be almost killed by a
heavenly messenger in the shape Of a
molten mass of mineral or an immense
glowing mass of gas?' asked a short,
heavy-set man of his companions at the
Grand Pacific hotel as he removed his
silk hat and carefully wiped the per-
spira ton from his bald head. His
name was j. r. Dougine. Several Of
the auditors burst into fits of laughter
at the peculiar question. but the little
man, who has spent years in the noun
tains of the Pacific slope and among
the Eskinos of the Alaskan peninsula,
remarked that he was sincere and spoke
in great earnestnesS
Yes. gentlemen" he continued. Il
bear on my body the autograph of
visitor from the skies. which may re-
main with me as long as ] live. 1t was
the closest call for death that have
ever had. How ! escaped being killed
] can't explain. You see /. in company
with Messrs. Robinson and Harris. was
making Il trip into the Haqua Hala
mountain range. in Yuma county. Ariz.
about February /. to inspect some min
tee and securing ponies we started over
the trail north of the ella river to our
camp. We had proceeded about thirty
miles, when rainstorm broke over the
mountains. Still the sky above US
seemed to be clear.
suddenly there came binding flash
and dcafening roar that caused Us to
close our eyes and cover our ears. Our
ponies became frantic. | was conscious
of the proximity II a long line Of fire
that rcscmblcd molten iron. burning
sensation about the calf of my left leg.
and feeling Of faintness came over me.
As soon as my companions recovered
from their establishment they found me
in an unconscious condition lying upon
the trail. Several rods beyond d gap
ing. steaming hole in the earth and rock
showed where the heavenly visitor had
buried itself.
My friends placed me on blanket
and carried me to the camp that was
conveniently located near an old adobe
corral that contained cOnsidera BILE hay.
4 bed was arranged for me. and | re-
manned asleep until the next morning.
Upon awakening ! discovered that my
left leg. from the knee TO the ankle,
was as black as coal, and swollen until
it reScmbled miniature car wheel.
That is what the meteor-for that is
what the hot visitor undoubtedly was
had done for me. Within few hours
the pains left me and was able to con-
tinue my journey. The swelling grad
uallv diminished. but the color. 10
great 6crraa still remains
''ArizGna doctors to whom we told the
story made careful examina tions of my
limb. but they admitted that they were
nonplused. Nothing similar to it had
ever come to their notice. One physician
said ne had patient who had been
struck by lightning whose body bore
similar imprints. but why only one por-
ton of the limb should exhibit such
signs when the remainder appeared
normal he could not explain. ! can use
the limb freely without pain. Nov,
that is why ask whether it is not a re-
marka bic thing to come so near death
by a meteor"
A small congress of auditors looked
extremely surprised over the details of
the story, and then they agreed that
Mr.. J. T. Dougine was safe for the rest
OF his life from the effects of heavenly
rc-bolts.-Chicago News.