[meteorite-list] NPA 06-12-1879 Unearthing the Estherville Meteorite

From: MARK BOSTICK <thebigcollector_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Jan 19 15:35:08 2005
Message-ID: <BAY4-F148DD81D6F2E24CACAAB05B3800_at_phx.gbl>

Paper: Star And Sentinel
City: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Date: Thursday Evening, June 12, 1879
Page: 4 (of 4)

Unearthing a Meteor.

     The large meteor that was reported to have fallen near Worthington last
Saturday fell in Emmet county, Iowa, about four miles south of the State
line and fifteen miles from Jackson. It appeared from here, to those that
observed it, to pass from northwest to southwest , and left a track of smoke
not unlike a fuse of shell, only a great deal more. The report was
distinctly heard here as well as at points further east. The shock of the
missile striking the ground could be easily felt at this distance. It tore a
hole in the ground twelve feet across at the surface, and threw sods as
large as a man's body a distance of ten rods. A number of men set to work
digging after the meteor, and found it buried fifteen feet below the
surface, ten feet of which was hard clay. The largest piece taken out
weighed four hundred and thirty-one pounds, and enough smaller pieces were
found to make five hundred pounds in all. Those who say it strike say it
exploded in the ground. It consists of meteoric iron, very dense, and
thought by some to contain silver ore. It has a ragged outside, covered with
a whiteish substance which can be taken off, leaving the hard metal. There
is a great chance for scientific speculation and investigation. -- (Jackson
(Minn) letter to the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer-Press

(end)
Received on Wed 19 Jan 2005 03:34:45 PM PST