Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-19
OF AFRICAN TYPE.
Snow Of Dusky Color Falls in
Rock Island.
PROF. MAHs1LL GIVES HIS VIEWS.

the Psrtaciss Of Un.asar.l Has-Calni-
nation u Unssaseaahls weather aaa
NsutraAirstios OF the Klsnsass.
The singular meteorological phe-
nomenon which was produced last
evening just before the gathering of
the evening shades caused considers
BILE OF q sensation in the minds of
many who were convinced that we
had been treated TO . black snow.
Coming from various parts of the
state, too. are reports that the ordi-
nary flakes of beauty bright were
transformed into particles of black
and brown. while in some instances
they are told of having been of yell
low hue. The whole story seems to
be of s.yellowish" tendency,
the natural theory and supposition
being that the peculiar downfall was
more of a sand storm. and hence the
novelty of the African type was pre-
served in nature il not actually in
dusky appearance.
The peculiar appearance OF the sun
between 4:30 and $50 last evening
excited considerable curiosity. yelled
IS the face OF the illuminary was by
mist during the progress of the
most severe storm Of the day and
while the wind was blowing its fierc-
est from the west. The penetrating
rays Of the great illuminating body
we're deadened and softened and the
huge ball Of fire was like unto an i'm.
mense cheese of greenish yellow
color. with every outline perfectly
defined.
Prof. Manslll's Views
When Prof. Richard Mansill, the
astronomer and scientist and author
Of ..Mansill's New System OF Solar
Science" was seen on the subject by
an ARGUS representative last evening
and the suggestion made that there
were people who imagined they had
seen black snow. he secuted at the
idea. II was impressed, though, {"
he said. "with the appearance of the
sun between 4 and 5 O'Clock. when
his face seemed to be enveloped in q
mist similar to that which yelled it
In 1882. when the phenomenon Of q
purple sunset occurred. At that
time, by the way, whether due to the
same coincidence or other com biua-
ton Of the forces of nature. there
we're tremendous earthquakes in
the far east. The vapor then, as it
did today. seemed to deprive the sun
Of his force. / attribute these unu-
sual conditions of today, how
ever. to the effect of the strong
winds. which. causing the dusty and
sandy accumulations of the earth to
be carried up into the atmosphere
and mingling with the snow as it fell
produced the appearance before the
sun. and also gave color, possibly, to
the snow as it fell.
Il believe Furthermore, Prof.
Mansill continued, THAT the blus-
ter we are now having is but the cul-
mination Of the unnatural conditions
that have prevailed during. 1 may
say. the entire season. While we
have had up to this time a mild. or
as commonly termed for the most
part. an open winter. they have had
in the east . season of unusual Sc
verify. and the present storm will
have tendency to neutralize the
conditions and give us more season
able weather."
The Signal Fervice.
The signal service station at
Davenport had no forewarning OF
the radical change in the tenn pera-
ture. nor has the bureau any au.
thentic information of an unnatural
appearance of the snow. Observer
+. j. Walz said this morning: The
blizzard was one Of those sudden at
mospheric changes that cannot be
forecast. 1t was of the nature of an
upper current blizzard that fell with
a suddenness that it is impossible to
calculate in advance. 1t came down
the Mississippi valley from the north.
and increased in intensity as it ad-
vanced until it spent its force.
There were certainly some very pc
culiar conditions of the elements be-
tween and o'clock yesterday.
which the department is not yet in
readiness to pass its opinion upon. ="
The mercury fell rapidly during
the night and this morning regis
tered>S below zero. . decline Of 81
donroaa IN TX kour.