1867 KENTUCKY MEAT SHOWER. Christian Baptist Hymnal Owned by Kentucky Meat Shower Witness.

Always lovely to find these little items connected to the more unusual facets of 19th century history. From the "text" perspective, this is a rather nicely preserved example of the Alexander Campbell hymnal of 1867, and in a rather tidy state of preservation.

The charm is in its history though. This copy was gifted to local celebrity and Kentucky native, J. M. Bent [1837-1907]. He was one of the primary witnesses of the 1876 phenomena known as the Kentucky Meat Shower, or, as one reporter wittily quipped, The Kentucky Meat-eorite Shower. Bent's testimony, as a person of local repute, is present in almost every contemporary report and telling of the story and he is certainly the key witness for the events. 

What was it? In brief, it was on March 3, 1876 that flakes and chunks of raw red meat mysteriously fell from a clear sky over a farm near Olympian Springs in Bath County, Kentucky. Mrs. Allen Crouch was making soap outdoors when pieces of tissue ranging from small flakes to large strips showered down around her yard. Local residents inspected and even tasted the material, guessing it might be beef, lamb, or venison. Chemical and microscopic analysis of preserved samples later revealed the tissue to be animal muscle, cartilage, and lung tissue.

The widely accepted scientific explanation is that a passing flock of vultures, heavy from a recent meal, disgorged the contents of their stomachs simultaneously in mid-flight when startled. Though, if you'd care to learn more, the debate about its origin is far from settled to this day. 

If you want to learn more about the phenomena, I highly recommend reading the article HERE. 

[Curiosities, Kentucky Meat Shower] Campbell, Alexander [Ed.] The Christian Hymn Book: A Compilation of Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs Original and Selected by A. Campbell and Others. Revised and Enlarged by a Committee. Cincinnati. H. S. Bosworth. 1867. 839pp.

Good + in original full morocco binding, 24mo size, a bit puckered where the hasp and clasp join, a bit rubbed at extremities with a couple of impending flakes that may come loose on the spine. Moderately and unevenly foxed as shown.