Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-11-20
BRooKsy1LLE, Oct. 10, 1868.

BRooKsyILLE, Oct 10, 1868.
A wonderful phenomenon has recently
made its appearance on Willow Greek in
Bracken county about two miles from Brooks
vile, and has been seen by quite number
of the worthy citizens Of our country. Our
people have been in a constant state Of excite
ment since it first made its appearance.
On the 10th inst, as one Of our citizens,
a prominent tobacco merchant residing in
Brooksville, was returning home from the
southern portion Of the county, where he had
been buying some crops OF tobacco, and, be-
ing belatei, was riding along the road, when
suddenly he beheld a frightful object in the
middle Of the road, Immediately in front Of
him. I will give you the description Of it
as heard it from his own lips:
1.-The object was about six feet in height,
and walked upright, The face was at times
that Of man, very pale, with curls of fame
falling over his shoulders; eyes of sulphur
GUS blue, changing constantly in size, one
moment large as lineup, and then gradu-
ally decreasing in size uutil they were al
most invisible Its arms were those of a map
and hands deadly pale. In one hand it held
a torch, and in the other a sword that seemed
to be about four feet in length. Its lower
extremity was that Of horse, with legs well
proportioned, and hoofs as those of horse.
Its tail which was about three feet in length
was of fame Its breath was u solid sheet
Of fire, which vibrated with the heaving of
its breast like the pendulum of a clock. 1t
was certainly the most frightful object ever
beheld. 1t walked off to the side of the road
and then vanished When it disappeared [
Immediately put spurs to my horse and gal
loped by the spot where I had seen it. When
[ arrived at the summit of the hill, about
two hundred yards off, looked back and
saw the object in the same spot where I first
beheld it. I stopped my horse and watched
it for moments it walked over to the left
side Of the road, and mounting rail fence
that stood there commenced running toward
me. | did not stay TO see the remainder Of
the drama
He Immediately rode to town, and having
told his adventure to some Of the citizens,
they Immediately formed party and started
out to see the strange visitant. Lawyers,
doctors. preachers and tradesmen, armed
with guns and pistols, made their way en-
masse to the scene of this strange adventure
When they arrived at the spot, some Of then,
beheld the specter and others could not see
it. 1t was, when :hey saw it, on the fence,
and running rapidly up and down it past the
crowd, for the distance ola quarter ola mile
AS it passed the crowd several fred at it but
without effect
At about eleven o'clock it vanished, and
was seen no more that night. Since then it
has been seen every night at the same place.
Hundreds of visitors have been on hand ey-
cry night, and the excitement is at very
high state now, and is increasing. The cause
of this is beyond human conjecture 1t has
been only about year ago since it was seen
in this county before. The county is astir,
and the people are eager to get rid Of theil
unwelcome visitant, This is the whole mar
ratiFa
Will not some philosopher explain the
cause of this wonder?
Yours truly,
JOSEPH PEYToN