[meteorite-list] One hundred years ago …

From: Mike Groetz <mpg444_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:57:46 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <795274.28083.qm_at_web33005.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

   I believe this to be from a British Columbia newspaper.
Mike



http://us.mc330.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?.rand=1994561373&uc=0


One hundred years ago ?
Published: July 28, 2008 5:00 PM
Updated: July 28, 2008 5:35 PM The following article appeared in the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle?s first-ever year of publication, in 1908.

1908

Message from Mars

Willie McKinnon, the fourteen year old son of Mr. Angus McKinnon underwent a most startling experience, and had a miraculous escape from death on last Thursday morning.

While working in his father?s garden about half past eleven o?clock, a meteor about ten inches long was hurled through space and buried itself in the ground about eight feet from where the boy was standing.?The meteor could be heard coming for several minutes before it struck the earth, but the lad thinking it was a train passing, took no notice until the celestial visitor struck the earth, sending the rocks flying in every direction and causing an effect like an earthquake in that vicinity.?The boy was naturally greatly alarmed at the occurrence and rushed into the house to acquaint his parents with the very strange happening.

On visiting the spot it was found that the meteor was still intensely hot, and not for over half an hour could it be handled.

The meteor or whatever it was that fell looked much like an ordinary boulder except that it was almost as round as a marble and the surface was deeply scored with what resembled hieroglyphics.

The meteorite had passed through the branches of two trees in its flight snapping them off like matches.

It fell at an angle of about forty-five degrees and was traveling in a north-westerly direction when it struck the earth.

Mr. McKinnon has spent most of his time since the incident trying to interpret the meaning of the markings on the stone and will be glad if someone who has knowledge of these things will try and help him out.




      
Received on Wed 30 Jul 2008 09:57:46 PM PDT