[meteorite-list] Millville man treasures a fragment he found 70 years ago while taking a walk

[Meteorites USA]

Millville man treasures a fragment he found 70 years ago while taking a walk
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20100323/DW06/3230325
By Mary Daisey Shockley • Staff Writer • March 23, 2010

DAGSBORO -- Jimmy "Skeeter" Littleton was 11 years old when he stumbled 
upon a piece of history.
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"I was walking along, throwing stones at a fence (in Millville), when I 
picked this thing up," he said, referring to the palm-sized, silver rock 
fragment that he kept in his mother's jewel box for 35 years. "Nobody 
knew what it was."

But in 1974, while working for DuPont, a man offered to send the 
fragment away for testing.

"I hesitated for a few minutes and then agreed to it," Littleton said. 
"Two weeks later, he came back with this long print-out confirming it. 
He said to me, 'Sir, this is a meteorite'."

Along with the confirmation, Littleton discovered that his meteorite was 
made of chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt and nickel.

"These materials can't be combined together here on earth," he said.

Dr. Mata Chen, a geology professor at Salisbury University, said 
Littleton's story is unique.

"That is quite interesting," she said. "It is an historic item."

Chen said it is possible for small meteorites to break through the 
earth's surface in the Chesapeake region, but finding them is rare.

A few years ago, when a piece of the meteorite broke off, Littleton 
decided to make a necklace for his wife.

"It's definitely a conversation piece," he said.

His wife, Hilda, said she loves the special gift her husband created for 
her.

"I think it's unusual; I get a lot of compliments on it," she said. "I 
make sure I wear something plain so it stands out."

Littleton said he plans to keep his meteorite in a safe place so he can 
pass it down to his children and grandchildren.

mdaisey at dmg.gannett.com 302-537-1881, ext. 207