The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-05-14
A SUPERNATURAL FLAME.


The following strange story is told in good
faith by the Cleveland Leader of the expe-
rience Of man named John Bush with a
! flame seemingly Of supernatural origin: Sew
eral months ago he moved from Amherst,
where he had lived for thirteen years. most
Of that time being employed as a switchman
on the Lake Shore road. Five or six wears
ago his house was destroyed by fire, the cause
being, as he supposed, defective lue His
first home in this city was at No. 1 ia Lin
coin avenue, where on Sunday, TIE 18th inst,
the first remarkable appearance Of flames
occurred. Some clothes, n coat. vest and
dress which hung upon the wall, suddenly
/ began to smoke, sending forth a peculiarly
sickening smell This was followed i'm a
moment by a dark blue blaze that leaped
hungrily over the garments and almost con
sumed them before the fire was extiuguished
by the astonished Bush. His wife said that
matches in his pocket had ignited, but ne
was positive there were no matches there
On the following day he went 10 work as
usual, and when he came home was met by
his wife, who was frantic with fear During
his absence the fire had appeared seven diff
ferent times. In the first instance the bed
upon which one Of the children Law sleepinn
took fire, reappearing twice after 1t had been
put out. Being Of a superstitious nature she
feared that some evil spirit hung over them
and craved for the life Of the youngest child
To appease the wrath of the unknown,
, whatever it was, she went out i'm the fields
and cast to the winds all the money they had.
some $50. All but $40 Of this was afterward
, found. The father decided to stay at home
the following day and watch, calling a friend
, to do the same.
T. BY this time the mystery was being noised
= about somewhat, and everybody that came in
+ decided tina. the children had been playing
{ with matches. There seemed to be no other
p explanation, but the Youngsters stoutIv de
D MED this feature Of the case. Dl. ). B. Nc
Gee, living near, was called I'm 10 make the
examination. lie thought at first that II was
d an ignition Of phosphorus, but on hearingthe
D story in detail gave the solution up.
= Bush remained at the house on Lincoln
avenue until Tuesday. when he made up his
i mind to quit the place and move to the house
= on Lussenden avenue, hoping thereby to
If shake OF the mystery On Friday the fire
n once more appeared, burning the straw in
one of the beds. The straw in the barrel
n that stood in the shed was also burned in
T. the same manner on Saturday. together with
II
n The family at this time had nearly become
NJ crazy. Many of their household goods aud
IS clothes had been destroyed and some Of the
neiShbors filled with sympathy came in and
n endcayOred to console them and pacify their
d fears as best they coulC-
10 On Sunday Mrs. Poland, a lady living on
\, Giddiugs avenue, dropped in to lend her aid
IF in that direction. She took OF her hat and
p laid it upon the table where it had not re
m manned five minutes when a large feather
upon it was touched by the strange flame
k and nearly consumed. The reporter called
IS upon Mrs. Poland herself, who fully corrob-
IN grated this statement and exhibited the hat
IS As proof.
-y On Monday the iiIc appeared twice, each
time destroying some clothes. Yesterday
d morning a child's dress that hung on a peg
I'd near the door, smoked, blazed in a minute or
s, two and fell TO the floor. Three singular
IN occurrences have been witnessed by neigh
IN boTs, who came in to watch out OF curiosity,
IS and there is no one living on the street but
believes everything that Is told.
II The reporter selected one man from the
q crowd that stood about while Bush was
he making his statement H appeared intel
&c ligenT and ready 10 tell all he knew Bush'-
g story he pronounced true i'm every particular.
mt He lad himself seen q coat burn up in the
mysterious manner described but. Ike ihs
he rest, could offer no explanation whatever.
er These are plain facts. There Is no reason
le TO doubt Bu~b's story, while there Is good
b. proof that he told the truth. The suspense
NJ. he has gone through seems to have nearly
crazed him. No one can convince him there
do Is nothing supernatural in it. He insists
Nv that ne has done nothing wrong to- descrys
this kind OF persecution, ana proposes TO g0.ts
on Amherst to-day FOR the testimonials from hi-
he former employers and Others who knew him
Is as TO his good character although Do, fails e,
he show in what way they can aid him.