IRISH TIMES ODDITIES: Allen Fostertrawls the archives fo more unusual stories.
TWO SUNS SEEN IN THE SKY
Two suns appeared in the sky for a short time over the Chichibu Mountains, to the amazement of the inhabitants of the district. The illusion was due to a peculiar cloud formation. The two suns were seen by officials at the weather observatory in the Chichibu Mountains, and a photograph of them was taken. A scientist at the Tokyo Central Meteorological Bureau says that the appearance of the two suns was caused by the fact that there were clouds of ice in the sky and the air currents were practically motionless. He explains that the clouds of ice acted as a reflector and directed rays of light giving rise to the optical illusion of two suns. The last time the phenomenon was seen in Europe was at Rome on February 11th, 1929, on the day of the conciliation between the Vatican and the Kingdom of Italy, when it was acclaimed by the people as an omen of perpetual friendship between the spiritual and temporal powers.
February 22nd, 1933
TWO SUNS: LETTER
Sir - In reference to the phenomenon recorded in your paper on the 22nd inst, of two suns having appeared in the sky over Chichibu Mountains, it is interesting to recall that a similar phenomenon has been observed in Ireland. The Four Masters, under the date AD 985, states: "A wonderful sign appeared in this year, namely, two suns were seen moving together during one day." John O'Donovan, whose translation of the passage is here quoted tells us that the event is recorded also in the Annals of Clonmacnoise.
- Yours, etc.
T. Percy C. Kirkpatrick,
Royal College of Surgeons,
Kildare Street, Dublin
February 23rd, 1933
DR THUNDERBOLT
"Dr Thunderbolt", one of the most picturesque characters in Harlem, the Negro quarter of New York, has died here, at the age of 84. For years (writes Reuters) he was known throughout the district as an eloquent dispenser of herb tonics and quack medicines for every known ailment. No one knew his real name or his antecedents, although he was obviously a man of considerable culture. At one time he was credited with having made a small fortune at his trade, but he died penniless. Lately he lived with a 70-year-old friend in a ramshackle hut made from packing cases.
February 22nd, 1934
THREW WIFE OUT OF WINDOW
A tipsy husband at Pescara, Italy, tossed his wife out of a window as a midnight salute to the New Year, the Gionnale di Italiareported yesterday. When he realised what he had done he dashed out and picked her up. She was bruised, the report added, but instead of a furious outburst, he received a kiss.
January 2nd, 1960
BRANDED WITH A FLAT IRON
The New York correspondent of the London Daily Expresssays: Two Italians, agents of the Black Hand, who entered the house of Mrs Piazza, of Minooka, Pennsylvania, and threatened to annihilate the family if they did not receive $200, were speedily dealt with. Mrs Piazza was ironing when the men entered. She bore down on one of them and pushed him against the wall. With one hand on his chest, she pressed the hot iron against his cheek, and held it there for an instant, in spite of his furious resistance. When the iron was removed both men ran screaming from the house, and Mrs Piazza collapsed. She declares that the imprint of the flat iron was plainly visible on the victim's cheek.
April 15th, 1911
Culled from the archives of The Irish Times, available online at www.irishtimes.com/archive