Post by auntym on Jun 19, 2011 15:38:13 GMT -6
www.devilspenny.com/2010/03/bizarre-apparition-entertains-the-masses-1897/
Bizarre Apparition Entertains the Masses, 1897
Syracuse, New York, Sunday Herald1 August 1897
AN UNEASY SPIRIT
Stalks in an Auburn Oat Field - Draws Crowds to Scene
All Attempts to Capture the Spectre Unsuccessful
Mysterious Figure Swings a Lantern Like a Brakeman and Boldly Confronts Spectators, But Vanishes If Approached
Auburn, July 31 – One evening nearly a week ago the young son of Michael O’Hara put his head out of the window of his father’s house in lower State street and allowed his eyes to wander across the street into the field of waving grain owned by ex-Mayor Mortimer V. Austin. Suddenly O’Hara gave a blood-curdling yell, and his face blanched as he saw rising from the center of the oat field a strange apparition. It was apparently the figure of a man clothed entirely in white. The ghostly figure stalked across the oat field, swinging a lantern in its hand. It advanced to the fence facing the road, and after flourishing his lantern up and down several times like a brakeman signaling a railroad train, the white figure gave a tremendous bound into the air and vanished from sight.
The youth managed to gain strength enough to crawl back into bed. The next morning he told the story of the specter to his parents, who in turn told it to the neighbors, and the neighbors gave it to the local newspapers, and the news was heralded far and wide. The next evening 500 or more people congregated in the highway in front of the O’Hara residence and waited for the apparition to appear. The board fence in front of the oat field was lined with spectators.
About 10 o’clock the ghost appeared, carrying his lantern with him. The specter made its appearance, apparently rising from the ground at the foot of a beech tree which stands at the west end of the field. The white-robed figure dodged in and out, seen at one minute, the next lost to sight. After continuing this performance for a few minutes, the figure advanced boldly toward the astounded spectators.
It came on with a bounding movement, similar to that made by a kangaroo while in motion. When within a few feet of the spectators, the ghost stood motionless for a second, and after waving the lantern in the air three or four times, suddenly vanished from sight. This is the way a young man of unquestioned veracity tells it.
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Bizarre Apparition Entertains the Masses, 1897
Syracuse, New York, Sunday Herald1 August 1897
AN UNEASY SPIRIT
Stalks in an Auburn Oat Field - Draws Crowds to Scene
All Attempts to Capture the Spectre Unsuccessful
Mysterious Figure Swings a Lantern Like a Brakeman and Boldly Confronts Spectators, But Vanishes If Approached
Auburn, July 31 – One evening nearly a week ago the young son of Michael O’Hara put his head out of the window of his father’s house in lower State street and allowed his eyes to wander across the street into the field of waving grain owned by ex-Mayor Mortimer V. Austin. Suddenly O’Hara gave a blood-curdling yell, and his face blanched as he saw rising from the center of the oat field a strange apparition. It was apparently the figure of a man clothed entirely in white. The ghostly figure stalked across the oat field, swinging a lantern in its hand. It advanced to the fence facing the road, and after flourishing his lantern up and down several times like a brakeman signaling a railroad train, the white figure gave a tremendous bound into the air and vanished from sight.
The youth managed to gain strength enough to crawl back into bed. The next morning he told the story of the specter to his parents, who in turn told it to the neighbors, and the neighbors gave it to the local newspapers, and the news was heralded far and wide. The next evening 500 or more people congregated in the highway in front of the O’Hara residence and waited for the apparition to appear. The board fence in front of the oat field was lined with spectators.
About 10 o’clock the ghost appeared, carrying his lantern with him. The specter made its appearance, apparently rising from the ground at the foot of a beech tree which stands at the west end of the field. The white-robed figure dodged in and out, seen at one minute, the next lost to sight. After continuing this performance for a few minutes, the figure advanced boldly toward the astounded spectators.
It came on with a bounding movement, similar to that made by a kangaroo while in motion. When within a few feet of the spectators, the ghost stood motionless for a second, and after waving the lantern in the air three or four times, suddenly vanished from sight. This is the way a young man of unquestioned veracity tells it.
TO CONTINUE READING CLICK ON ABOVE LINK