On Eight Meteoric Fireballs Seen in the United States from July, 1876, to February, 1877
On the evening of July 8th, 1876, about fifteen minutes before nine o'clock, Chicago time, a very large meteor passed over Ohio and Michigan, and was visible in the adjacent States of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. At Wolcottville, La Grange County, Indiana, it was well observed by Mr. William L. Taylor, a member of the senior class in Indiana University, who states that the point of first appearance was almost exactly East of Wolcottville, and at an elevation of nearly 60°. At Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, according to Rev. Robert Beer, it appeared a little North of East ; while at Chicago it seemed to start from a point somewhat South of East and about 25° above the horizon. Mr. Benjamin Vail, of Henryville, Clarke County, Indiana, and Mr. J. W. Hollingsworth, of Paoli, Orange County, each saw the meteor under favorable circumstances. According to the former, its direction from Henryville, when first visible, was about North North-east. The observations of Messrs. Taylor and Vail thus determine the point of first visibility, while the notes of Mr. Hollingsworth, in connection with observations at Bloomington, Indiana, indicate almost precisely the same position. The body was first seen over Fulton County, Ohio, not far from latitude 41° 40' North, longitude 84° West.
