Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-11-20
WHAT is IT?
Miraculous Mystery i'm Kentucky
1t Is Neither Man Nor WO-
man, 1t is Neither Brute Nor
Human: It's a-Lie.

OwINGsvILLE, KY, November l9.-An
inexplicable sight has been seen in this
county, and it has created a furore and
excitement greater, if anything, than
the "shower of flesh" several years ago.
The report came to this city that man
had been seen standing in mid-air at a
point about six miles east OF town; that
he was making gestures OF all kinds, and
after staying there about half an hour
had suddenly assembled until it rose be-
vOnd the view of the naked eye.
On hearing the report, we started for
the place to get the truth and see those
who had seen the sights. Arriving at the
place, We found the lady who had first
seen it to be Mrs. Abraham GoOdpaster,
wife of reputable farmer, and reputa-
bic herself. From her we learned the
following: Her husband, Mr.. GOodpas-
ter, had gone to the mill, and she was
washing, when she went out of doors for
something. Looking up, she saw
something like man suspend
ed IN mid-air, about twenty
feet above the tops of the trees. The
figure was making gestures OF all kinds,
but spoke not. 1t would throw its hands
wildly, then fold its arms, then clasp its
hands, and drawing its knees up assume
the attitude OF prayer. When Mrs. s.Good-
paster first saw it she called to her
mother-in-law, who lives with her, Rnd
she, too, came out and saw it, but was
so frightened that she would not stay,
but ran and hid. Mrs. GOodpaster's
children came out, and with their mo-
ther continued TO look at it for about
twenty-five minutes, when the figure
began TO ascend and vanished from
view.
The figure was tall and slender, with
a long neck, but what it was, we are
unable TO say. Mr. Goodpaster's moth
er took this figure as an omen of his
death, and sent post-haste for him by
his two eldest sons, who were surprised
to meet him on his way home unin-
jured.
James Nealus, farmer living near
Mr.. Goodpaster's, also saw what he
thought was balloon, but saw no man
in it. He watched it for some time,
when it was taken up from sight. A son
of one of the Otis also saw the same
thing, but was unable to tell what it
was.
Many inierences and conjectures as to
what it was or might have been
made. A few believe that it was Prof.
Wise in his skeleton balloon, or some
other aeronaut, and that to reach the
ground, il possible, he had lowered him
self from the car by a rope. Others turn
to the opinion that it was sign from
heaven, but for what they say not,
while others hOot at the idea of its being
anything. or of anything having been
seen. AS to this last opinion tits clearly
erroneous, as there is no doubt but what
these people saw something. They could
not all he mistaken. Had only one seen
it the skeptics would have had good
grounds for believing it was imagination
on her part; vet such is not the case,
seven persons having seen the same
thing at the same time, and they are all
persons who can be believed. The mat
ter has created great excitement, and
Mrs GOodmaster has been visited by
large number of persons, to one and all
OF whom she has told the same story.
She attempts to make no explanation,
has none to make, nor does she desire
any. She gives the facts Just as they
appeared, and while she would be glad
to know what il was that she saw, who
it was, and what it meant, she makes no
pretensions to such knowledge.