The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-01-15
CITIZENS OF PENNSYLVANIA
TOWN AWAKENED FROM
SLUMBERS BY EX-
PLOSION.
Methodist Minister Returning From
Prayer Meeting Witnesses Phe-
nomenon-Slight Damage.

The mysterious explosion which
awakened the residents OF West Alex
ander from their peaceful slumbers
late Thursday night has been solved
and again II has not. Whether II was
a falling meteor that exploded when
II came into contact with the headed
path Of the earth in its Journey
around the sun or something unde-
sCribable has not been determined
definitely.
Father Weber OF St. JoSeph's Ca.
thedral. an astroloEer. last night said
that there is no reason to doubt that
il was n meteor falling from a comet.
attracted by the grayitation OF the
earth. He further said that Il might
have been n mass Of PARTICLES that.
flying through the heavens. ran from
its regular course and was attracted
10 the earth. The meteor, 10 raid.
in falling. when IL reached n certain
point near the earth would ignite
from the intense heat caused BY the
rapid revolution OF the earth on its
orbit around the sun. later causing IL
20 explode.
Some attribute n 10 falling particles
from the moon or sun Should II
came in the path OF Jupiter. he said.
IL would ave the same result.
Rev. J. c.. Deeds OF the West Alev.
ender NJ. +. church. who was the only
person that witnessed the phenomc-
non. was returning from a PRAYER
meeting az Vienna when the skv Tight
ed. Immediately following the illu-
mination Rev. Deeds a that a ter
rife EXPLOSION occurred which 'arred
the earth. Following that tho earth
resumed its Guietude.
poured forth from their homes scant-
ilv clad I'm vain endeavor to determine
the cause ~ their disturbed slumbers
tbs robbers at the bank eX-
claimed some.
Others said that n was an explo-
sion in their front Yards. Others com
menced nrayinE. thinking that the end
of time had arrived.
The Baltimore and Ohio police the
town marshal. and others in authority
IN the Pennsylvania village feared that
an attemp' 10 wreck the Bank OF West
Alexander had been committed Armed
with pitchforks. guns and ancient pi-.
. tolls. relics Of tho CivU war. hung for
years over the fire place were called
into service. But alas. no evidence Of
robbers was % be found upon lnvestiga-
tion.
Immediately following tho terrific OK.
p%losion. West Alexander turned from
their beds. and in vain searched for
the cause
Yesterday Investigation was made ~
the damage The Methodist Episcopal
church. Of which Rev. Deeds. the only
eyewitness 90 tho mysterious visitor.
is pastor. Yves probably most damaged
by Tho explosion. The plaster was jar
red loose from the walls and the chin.
ncy- were slightly wrecked The home
oi J. g. rooih was jarrod and 10 was
feared By members ~ tho family thlt
The brick mansion would fall upon
their heads.
For hours. tho telephone girls were
kept busy queries bv hundreds were
sent in. asking for tho cause of The
loud report.
The Ohio VALLEY during recent days
has been n ripe field for falling
motcors AZ Cincinnati ON Wednesday
q meteor fell. Earring the earth. and
s%nafrhlng from vain obacurlty inf0
fame the town ~ Verona. Ky. which
place seemed 40 to tho enter ~ mo
explosion others have been reported.