* Astronomy

Notes on Kansas Meteorites: Metoric Fall of December 17, 1923

On December 17, 1923, at approximately 9:00 p. m. another meteor was seen by several students of McPherson College who reported to me the next day. A notice through the press 'brought information which indicated that it was more than a shooting, star. The general location of its disappearance was determined to be in the vicinity of Whitewater, Kansas. Up to this time I was not convinced that the body had been of important size. Nevertheless, reports of violent shaking of buildings in several places kept reaching me and I asked Professor B. E. Ebel of our institution to gather further information regarding the matter while on a trip to Hillsboro. He reported that Mrs. P. C. Hiebert was coming upon the front porch of her residence to enter the house, which faced the east, when her attention was attracted to a very extraordinary light. Looking to the southeast she witnessed a large ball of fire disappear behind the east end of the house just south of her. Her husband. Professor Heibert, who was in the house, saw the light but not the source of it. After what seemed two minutes a sound as of thunder was heard and the windows and doors, as well as the dishes in the cupboard, rattled' quite violently.
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