Public Ledger

A Grand Halo
A Magnificent Northern Light
Last Night.
The northern light, or aurora borealis, made itself visible last night, between ten and eleven o'clock, and for a while afforded a magnificent spectacle.
Many residents of the southern portion of the city thought a conflagration in progress in the northern suburbs. Directly under the north star and down to the horizon the heavens appeared to be brilliant with a pure white light, as if illuminated by a million powerful electric batteries, as it doubtless really was, though they were worked by nature's forces.
In the northwestern heavens prisms of vari-colored hues, the reddish or fiery predominating, extended from the horizon toward the zenith, and at intervals flashed fitfully, with fine spectacular effect. It was a grand exhibition, truly, and, what was more, none had to pay a cent to witness it.
The same light attracted particular attention in the vicinity of Helena and elsewhere, according to the statement of persons who arrived from a distance to-day.
Many persons went out on the bluff to view the show, thinking at first that a steamer was burning on the river, but learning different upon getting an unobstructed view of the heavens.
The telegraphic reports this morning announce that the great aurora was observed at New York, Chicago and St. Paul; in fact, all over the North, attracting the general attention of all who had not retired at the hours named. At St. Paul the light was unusually effective and brilliant.
The atmosphere was so surcharged with electricity that the batteries were disconnected between Chicago, New York and St. Paul, and the telegraphic wires for several hours worked freely with nature's supply, no artificial being necessary. News from all quarters mentions this brilliant auroral display.