The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1910-02-10
COMETS ARE BLAMED.
Scientists Think Great Storms and
Earthquakes Are Caused by
Celestial TramDS.

weather this winter can now compose
their minds in rest over the problem
which has been solved by the scien-
lists. The comets are to blame.
nat is, the scientists say it is pos
sible that this is true. There was
an ancient supposition that comets
leave disaster in their wake, and
the scientists, recalling this suppo-
sition, are asking if there can be any
connection between the two comets
which during this winter have been
unusually close to the earth and the
unprecedented weather conditions
which have given America an enor-
nous fall of snow and unusual cold,
while hot winds blow over northern
Europe, and France is struggling
with the most disastrous flood in it's
history?
Not only the scientists, but also
many people have been asking this
question during the last few weeks,
and historians agree that whatever
the scientific facts may be, history
has furnished so remarkable a num-
Der of parallels between the approach
| of comets and disastrous meteorol-
| ogical disturbances that they are
puzzling, at least.
Dates Back to Year 1874 Il. C.
Comets come closer to the earth
than any other large celestial bodies,
and ever since 1874 B. c., when two
| great comets were observed in the
same year of Mithridates' birth,
there has been a universal tendency
to connect them with human events.
Historians of the time made much
of the strange heavenly bodies as
heralding the birth of Mithridates,
| but later, as more comets were seen,
they began to be feared as omens of
disaster. Everything from pesti-
lence to famines, to wars and de-
structive storms, were feared, and
people lived in dread during periods
| when comets were seen in the heav-
ems.
Accurate records of the appear
ance of comets and the occurrence of
meteorological disturbances have
been kept only during the last cen
fury, but within that period re-
markable series of disasters from
floods, storms and earthquakes have
followed in almost every instance the
near approach of the larger comets.
Comet and Disaster in 1861.
| The record breaking closeness to
the earth of the great comet of 1851
was the signal for appalling disturb
ances in all parts of the world. This
comet was so near the earth during
the summer that many astronomers
gave authority to the statement that
the earth was passing through its
tail when the weird spectacle of a
"phosphorescent auroral glare" was
observed during an entire night in
various parts of Europe. Disastrous
storms in various parts of the world
preceded and followed this phenom-
enon, and in one case 143 vessels
were wrecked in the waters sur
rounding the British Isles. In an
other storm at this time, part of the
Crystal Palace was blown down and
the steeple of Chichester Cathedral
was wrecked, while gigantic waves
battered down the dykes of Holland
and 10000 acres were flooded There
were disastrous earthquakes in Italy
and later in Greece, in which many
lives were lost.
Biela's Comet and Its Record.
Unusual phenomena accompanied
the appearance of Biela's comet in
1889 and it's temperance and de-
parture from it's orbit in 1852. The
closeness of this comets approach
to the earth's orbit caused much
alarm among astronomers until it!
, final disappearance in 1852, and thu
disturbances which accompanied it,
visits were marked. In 1889 Eng
land and Ireland suffered one of tn,
most destructive storms in their his
tory. Two hundred homes were
blown down in Limerick, while man.
persons were killed in Liverpool AM
!, other cities, and the coasts wer'
strewn with wrecks. A great earth
quake at Martinique occurred ais,
at this time and 700 persons wer
killed on the island.
Disaster accompanying the comet
appearance in 1852 were even NOR
: destructive. A winter of record Sc
verify, with many terrific storms, i
recorded, while the Rhone, the Rhin
. and the Severn inundated large sec
:. tions of the surrounding country, in
flicting much damage. Earthquake
: also occurred, and Manila, P. L., wa
badly damaged, while England wa
alarmed by several tremors.
!, -Four Comets; Much Woe.
. The approach of four comets i
+ 1885, three of hem being visible a
i the same time, was forerunner G
y unprecedented disasters that year
q heavy SHOWS in England, hurrican
! in Spain in which hundreds wer
: killed and injured, terrific tornadoe
4 in Illinois and surrounding state
~ repeated bad storms in France, on
! in Texas, accompanied by. an inund;
;. ton from the sea and disastrou
: floods on the st. Lawrence and
India. Severe earthquake SHOCK
were felt all over the world, thos
in Italy and the United States bein
Ia the most severe.
It The appearance of two comets /;
once in 1894 was accompanied by al
a other long series of storms, eartl
i. quakes and uoods, the deluge {
France and Belgium in that yes
| throwing 100000 field hands out
| work, while Belgium, India, the Uni