The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1863-04-17
An Alarming Mystery in Michigan
"Supernatural Fires" A

A FRIEND residing in this city, but
who l. o. visit TO Owosso, Michi-
gan, informs us of very singular
and unaccountable affair that is now
traDspiring in Bush township, five
miles North of Owosso.
A farmer named Steerns. residing
in that town, has an adopted daugh
ter, by the name Of Freeman, who lie
ten wears OF age. While this little
girl was sweeping the sitting room,
about a week since. sbe discovered
the carpet to be on fire, and the in.
mates having put ont the fire under
took to learn its origin. There had
been no fire built in the room, that
morning; no light hsd been carried
into the room, nor could the family
in any way account or the fire. In
less than an hour flames were seen
iesuiug from some rags in another
room. The same day the girls
clothes caught fire, and the nox'
morning a damp towel that Mrs
Stearus had used in wiping her face
npon being hung On a nail, com
menced burning The last occur
renee took place in the presence o
some twelve persons, some iwhou
are among the most respectable cit
izens in that place. Next, a straw
stack near Mr.. Stearns' house wat
consumed. At one time, when I
number persona were in the house
the falling of some heavy substance
was heard in the CHAMBER, directly
above their heads. Upon going nj
stairs, it proved to be bag iillec
with books and rags. suspended b,
q cord to a beam. The bag was on
fire, and the string was also burning
when the parties entered the room
Mr. S. snd his 'amily became 81
much alarmed by these movement
that they LIFT their home. Wher
the furniture was being moved,
trunk said not to have been opened
tor moro than a year, was discover
ed to he on fire, and when opened
the flames burst forth, coasumin
its contents.
The family are now living in
honse some three miles distant iror
their iarm. bnt tho mysterious tor
ment. termed by the doubling
"humhug," by the spiri.ualis's tn
"manifestation Of the spirits" by tn
MiIeritGs the "periol Of fire an
brimstone." and by DR.. Tappar
"the W, rks OF the d,vil." is bouud t
I stick to than like a brother.
No sooner had the girl entered he
new home than her clothes took tir
in three different places. Ard nov
one other family where 'h2 las vis
tied, are as b de torn ned as
the family OF Mr.. S earns.
In Hosso, as well as in the al
joining village OF Corunna, the ca
eitymrnt is mos. intense. Peop|
are Il cking from every d rcc,ion
witness tits truly wonderful myster,
Some OF The most profound scholar
: o. the State. amorg whom are ID
Tappan Chancellor OF the Univers
!. ty # Michigan. Pres dent Foircli
of Hlisdale Co'l,ge. AID other
b We been to see the s;ghte;' al
all agroe that there are uiddcn M
teries beyond the depth of the clio
est observers.
One remarked that the indGme
At of God was alb ut to be ihil c:ed u
on the heads Of the wicked psopl
Another bloited old Democrat sa
that the cause in which our srmy
engaged is VI holy. and Il at thtre
a fire in the rear" som to bel,
forth. and devastate the who
North. We suspect, however, til
% a good practical chemist and ski
ful detective conld soon nCravel &
. mystery II Cleveland Herald.