Strange Phenomenon That Certain Sixth Warders Will Swear To

A singular phenomenon was observed in the sixth ward, of this city, on the evening of the 7th inst. the day of the election. About half past seven o’clock in the evening, as the inspectors of the election were sealing up the ballots at Mr. McDonald’s store, a peculiar light was seen near the horizon in the south. For some minutes it was stationary and seemed to expand to the size of a large ham, and then contract almost to a point; then suddenly it shot like a rocket into the heavens at an angle of about 37-½ degrees. As it approached the sixth ward it passed directly over the street east of McDonald’s store, lighting up the entire neighborhood so brilliantly that a newspaper could have been read any where within three and a half blocks. As it passed by with a strange, whirling, buzzing sound, the inspectors of the election, Harry Hill at thei[r] head, rushed ed [sic] to the door and ex-alderman Woodruff says that he clearly detected a sharp sulphurous stench, reminding him of that cheerful theology in which he takes so much spiritual delight. The speed of this rollicking meteor appeared to slacken as it passed by McDonald’s store. Its form seemed to be angular, jagged and grotesque–a witty, laughing rhonibus [sic]. Suddenly the light expanded and in a moment after the aerolite struck the earth with a hiss and a thud. The next morning, as some medical students were going down town, they discovered the exact spot where it struck the ground near the south east corner of Alderman Peebles’ house in the middle of the the street crossing. News of the discovery soon spread in the neighborhood and by 8 a. m. several of the leading men of the ward gathered to “view the remains.” Mr. J. A. Scott, A. Wood, Charles Mc’Omber, Brother Woodruff, Prof. D’Ooge, Prof. Adams, Israel Hall and others were present and were much interested in examining the fragments of this strange visitor from another world, as they lay scattered upon the crossing. Alderman Martin seemed to be much affected, and as he reflected upon the crooked course of the strange fragment and the narrow escape of his friend Peebles from its fall, various and conflicting emotions struggled in his manly breast, and he “grinned a ghastly smile.” Supervisor Brown was there, and as he heard his distinguished constituents discussing the question whence came this remarkable projectile, a charming blush, like unto a maiden’s flush, spread over his benign face and crept beneath the auburn locks of his hair, while those who watched him closely could see a curious twinkle of the eye as he stirred the fragments of this busted aerolite with his cane. As the crowd was about to disperse, Mayor Smith drove furiously to the spot, and mounting the seat of his carriage, cried out, “Were did the lightning strike?” Upon hearing the impertinent inquiry Alderman Peebles, who had been a silent spectator of the gathering, suddenly returned to his virtuous cottage and closed its door upon the scene.