| ||||||||||
 
Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
Visit ColumbiaMagazine's Directory of Churches Addresses, times, phone numbers and more for churches in Adair County Find Great Stuff in ColumbiaMagazine's Classified Ads Antiques, Help Wanted, Autos, Real Estate, Legal Notices, More... 
|
100 Years Ago: In May 1910, focus was on Halley's Comet (Written in memory of Effie Sandusky Heskamp 1910-2009. "Born, to the wife of Charley Sandusky, May 17, a daughter." - Adair County News, May 25, 1910.) -JIM By Jim One hundred years ago this week, the eyes of Adair County and the world were heavenward cast both in wonderment and dread anticipation as Halley's comet made its closest approach to earth. In September, 1909, the News had stated that "Astronomers tell us that this great flaming star will, when at its full glory next May, cover 100 degrees of celestial territory and will stand out like a great living thing of fire,"and in mid-April, 1910, came the report that "It will be the most superb sight that our generation has seen in the heavens." But there were also dire predictions. Some scientists believed that when - if - the earth passed through the tail of the comet on May 18th, "we may be soaked with deluge or rain during our comet bath." Others stated that dry conditions would precede the comet's approach, but the Ono correspondent in May 4 News deftly batted that one aside, wryly commenting that the "much dreaded drouth (sic) that the astronomer predicted would be until after Halley's comet passed in May, has proven to be very damp and cool." Another scientist, a Dutchman, prognosticated that the comet's tail "is made up of cathode rays, which, touching our atmosphere, would become X-rays of great intensity." There was fear of sickness brought by Comet However, the chief cause of concern among the populace was the possibility the tail of the comet would bring sickness or even wipe out all life: "Some observers fear the deadly cyanogen gas, which if thick, would stifle all breathing things at once. Diluted, such a gas might turn the world sick to its stomach for two or three hours..." Prof. Barnes lectures in Russell Co., KY However, in neighboring Russell County, educator Artemus E. Barnes of the Russell Springs Academy dismissed these terrifying predictions as so much hogwash. The News of May 11th reported that "Prof. Barnes gave a lecture on explanation of the comet, Monday morning, to an interested audience, illustrating on the black board its course of travel, etc., and knocked the idea in the head some people have that on the 18th of May it will destroy the earth." The community newsletters in the weeks from Adair and surrounding counties leading up to May 18th reflected a variety of opinions: "Mr. Sam Feece paid his regular call last Wednesday, and gathered up all the chickens and eggs he could find. Sam thinks that as Halley's comet is rapidly approaching it is time many people were changing their ways of action; since the comet is so much larger than the earth that in case of a collision which many fear that Terra Firma would be swallowed up or knocked clear out of existence." "'Have you seen the comet?' is the question of the day." (Russell Springs) "Most every body seems to be greatly disturbed over Halley's Comet. It is reported to us that there are several digging cellars to go into on May 18." (Waterloo, Pulaski County) "Several are afraid of Halley's comet." (Dunnville, Casey Co.) "Much is being said concerning Halley's comet. Many claim they have seen it, while others have not. Some think the end of time is near, others say not. As to the end of time we know it is coming at some time we know not when, neither the son or the angels, but the father knoweth all things. Be ready for in such hour as ye think not the son of man cometh." (Longstreet, Russell County.) "Talk of the great comet that is to pass over sometime in May is most of the conversation with our people. We must all begin to think there is something greater and more terrible coming some time in the future, and it may be near we cannot tell. And that is the day of Judgment..." (Rugby) (A later newsletter from Rugby noted that "The comet is the leading subject of the day.") "There is very little said in this neighborhood regarding the approach of the comet." (Ozark) "Farmers are trying to finish planting corn by the 18th in order to watch the comet pass through." (Sano) (In the June 1 edition, the Sano correspondent reported that "There were many in this section disappointed May 18. They were expecting to see the elements all a flame, lighted up by Halley's comet, but to their surprise the comet did not come.") Mr. Sam Lewis reports from some distance The pending arrival of the comet was not without elements of humor. The April 27th News told its readers, with tongue firmly planted in cheek, that Mr. Sam Lewis was the first person to stop by the News office with claims of having seen the celestial visitor, but that "he could not give an accurate description, as he was some distance from it." Frank Sinclair's comet ad And too, Frank Sinclair, who operated a general goods store on the Square, ran this ad in the weeks leading up to the 18th: "The Comet May Hit The EarthOf course, the comet came and went without incident -- and the world breathed a sigh of relief. Several mentions on May 25th edition There were several mentions of the comet in the May 25th News, including an opinion piece by J.E. Murrell. At the time, the News was a hardscratch tooth-and-toenail Democratic paper, and Mr. Murrell metaphorically used the comet to gleefully slip a dagger of words twixt the ribs of the Republican party. The opening sentence will suffice here: "Coincident with the passing of Halley's comet, to remain beyond the reach of vision, in the broad and boundless expanse of the heavens for seventy-five years, the Republican party gives many assurances of its passing from power, and no political astronomer can definitely figure its return."These two items appeared in the "Locals" column of the same edition: "A few people were frightened, but it did not hit any body here."The Dirigo correspondent in the June 8, 1910 News got in the best parting shot: "Well the comet has come, has passed, is gradually disappearing and yet no one has been damaged in the least. Not a single thing that was prophesied concerning it came to pass. It did not make a move that was predicted. Yes, it is true that a number of good people were scared somewhat, but what scared them? I am sure it was not the comet for it has been peaceable as a lamb, so I am inclined to think that the only damage done and the only ground for scare was in the big windy tales told by the newspapers...(Written in memory of Effie Sandusky Heskamp 1910-2009. "Born, to the wife of Charley Sandusky, May 17, a daughter." - Adair County News, May 25, 1910.) This story was posted on 2010-05-16 09:34:36
Printable: this page is now automatically formatted for printing.
Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. (AD) - Many Reunion organizing efforts are also advertised in our REUNIONS category in our CM Classifeds. These are posted at a very low cost. See RATES & TERMS More articles from topic Local History:
100 Years Ago: May 11, 1910 Old Coddger remembers Rev. H.J. Conover 1933 Union Revival at Glens Fork had number of conversions 100 years ago May 4, 1910 in Adair Co., KY With the tolling of the bells: A sad moment in Columbia history Historian has no sympathy for the James Gang Adair Co., KY: Prof. Azbill and the Electric Interurban Railway, 1901-1906 History: More on the Chance, KY Post Offices First Chance Store was in house structure Chance, KY: Recollections of Uncle Olie Rowe View even more articles in topic Local History |
 
115 Jamestown St. Columbia, KY. 270-384-2496 
  
   
 Provided by the Adair Co Fiscal Court and the Adair Co. Emergency Mgt. Agency 
|
||||||||
|
| ||||||||||
|
Quick Links to Popular Features
Looking for a story or picture? Try our Photo Archive or our Stories Archive for all the information that's appeared on ColumbiaMagazine.com. | ||||||||||
|
Contact us: Columbia Magazine and columbiamagazine.com are published by Linda Waggener and Pen Waggener, PO Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728. Please use our contact page, or send questions about technical issues with this site to webmaster@columbiamagazine.com. All logos and trademarks used on this site are property of their respective owners. All comments remain the property and responsibility of their posters, all articles and photos remain the property of their creators, and all the rest is copyright 1995-Present by Columbia Magazine. Privacy policy: use of this site requires no sharing of information. Voluntarily shared information may be published and made available to the public on this site and/or stored electronically. Anonymous submissions will be subject to additional verification. Cookies are not required to use our site. However, if you have cookies enabled in your web browser, some of our advertisers may use cookies for interest-based advertising across multiple domains. For more information about third-party advertising, visit the NAI web privacy site.
| ||||||||||
