BRILLIANT COMET IS
SEEN IN WESTERN SKY.
May Be DeRake's or Halley's, and
Resembles a Woman's Hat With
Willowy Plume.
The "comet" appeared last evening with great brilliancy as seen from Kansas City. It was slightly west of southwest, and was first visible about 6 o'clock. It remained in sight until near 6:30 o'clock when it became obscured by the clouds. The smoke of the city prevented it being very brilliant although it was quite noticable in the western sky.
There are various statements regarding this comet and various theories have been advanced regarding it. Prof. Woods of Washburn College, Topeka, says it is De Rake's comet, while others say it is Halley's. But who is De Rake? is a question on the lips of the average citizen. Be that as it may, the comet, no matter whose personal property, is visible in the soutwestern sky.
A dozen people went to the roof of the Scarritt building last evening about 6 o'clock to catch a glimpse of the comet. It really was a beautiful sight in the gathering twilight, and but for the smoke and the thin fleece of clouds which soon hid it from sight would have been visible for an hour or more. Its motion was barely perceptible except as one watched it past the corner of some fixed object.
The tail was a faint band of light trailing behind the main body of the comet, increasing in breadth as it receded and slightly curving toward the south. The impression received from the general appearance of the comet was that of a woman's modern white hat with its willowy plume on a windy day.
