[meteorite-list] Valera - documentation?

From: MexicoDoug <mexicodoug_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2011 00:51:06 -0500 (EST)
Message-ID: <8CE755F876B843B-C04-A8F86_at_webmail-m060.sysops.aol.com>

Dear List;

I have a question about the cow killing incident.

The meteorite fell in 1972. I understand from rumors that it is
absolutely a confirmed cow killer. But the document doesn't read as an
absolute fact, but rather circumstantial evidence (which as a meteorite
collector appreciating the size of the mass I want to believe quite
strong).

The affidavit was signed in 2001, after the Doctor on whose property
the meteorite landed had died.

Yet when I heard this, it was explained to me that a doctor had
pronounced the cow dead and there was injury visible on the cow caused
by the falling mass (a 50 kg stone). I always thought that a Doctor
actually swore to the wound on the cow and was convinced it was caused
by the stone, since a doctor would be expected to have a good idea of
what such a wound would look like.

This thread just prompted me to me read the affidavit. It doesn't say
anything about wounds on the cow.

The affidavit was by the Doctor's visitor, and specifically does not
even mention that the doctor made any opinion about the meteorite
killing the cow. But does mention the doctor had owned the property
and passed away subsequently. No one from the Doctor's family, just
the visitor, Juan Dionicio, commenting 30 years later says it
"appeared" (presumably him since he doesn't mention the doctor) the cow
was killed by the rock when he saw it the next day. It does not
mention any injuries or wounds to the cow at all. Just "it appeared
the cow had been killed by the rock" and also that "the cow then
eaten".

Yet I heard at the time I bought this that the cow had sustained a
mortal injury the injury I recall being described at one point. Why
this is not in the document? ... has me thinking something must be
missing?

Is this the only document that discusses the claim of a cow being
killed? Because it seems to me people have much more information than
is contained in the affidavit. (But I've run up enough against rumors
to believe that it's easily possible for the rumors to just be taller
tales down the line). Was there a newspaper article in the 70's or
anything predating this, or were there any other witnesses besides Juan
Dionicio, the mysterious guest who it sounds spent several nights on
the good doctor's ranch? I'd really like to know.

Kindest wishes
Doug
Received on Sun 20 Nov 2011 12:51:06 AM PST