People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1893 — A SHOWER OF BLACK RAIN. [ARTICLE]

A SHOWER OF BLACK RAIN.

Examination Proved It to Have a Fetid Smell and a Bad Taste. The meteorological records of the world chronicle several incontestible instances of black rainfalls, to say nothing of the more startling phenomena of “showers of blood, blue snows,” etc. Prof. Barker in April, 1845, laid before the Royal society of Dublin some observations on a shower of black rain which fell around Carlaw and Kilkenny, extending altogether over an area of about four hundred square miles. During the course of his lecture Prof. Barker exhibited to the society a specimen of this uncanny shower which had been sent him by a friend. The specimen shown in the vial was of a uniform black color, much resembling common black writing fluid. Dr. Barker found, however, that, after allowing it to stand for a short period, the black coloring matter separated from the water with which it had mixed, rendering the color of the rainwater much lighter, but still dark enough to be called “black rain.” The shower, which was in broad daylight, was preceded by a darkness so dense as to make it impossible for one to read without the aid of a candle. After this darkness had continued for some time, a hailstorm set in, attended with vivid lightning, but without the least semblance of thunder. When this hailstorm was over the black rain began to fall. On examination of the rain immediately after the storm was over it was found to have an extremely fetid smell, as well as a very disagreeable taste. All light-colored animals and all articles of clothing exposed bore dark spots and stains, and cattle refused to drink the water or eat the grass until after a shower of “real rain” had washed off the black, poisoning matter.