Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-07-31
A MARINE MYSTERY.
Phantom Boats Seen Upon the
Waters of Devils Lake.

Waters of Devils Lake.
Something Of Il sensation was created
in the Best family recently caused by
the appearance Of the Minnie H. ut 9
O'Clock i'll the evening off lIeerman's
landing, when that vessel was in fact
lying moorcd to her pier ut Ft. Totten,
ten miles away. The circumstances are
these: \ party of campers concluded
to pull their, tent stakes and come into
town. They got Mr.. Best, who lives
near the landing, to keep look out for
the Minnie II. and have her stop to take
them on board. Mr.. Best and his wife
got into Il skiff and pulled out into the
straits and toward the main lake to hail
the steamer. All at once they espied
the craft coming around the point
out of Agate bay. They heard the noise
Of the paddles, heard the putting of
steam and saw the lights. The steamer
appeared to be running very rapidly
and Mr.. Best told his wife it would DO
impossible to get within hailing distance.
Suddenly the steame. turned from the
regular course and put back into the
lake. Mr.. and Mrs. Best noticed the
absence Of the long rolling swells usually
caused by the steamer, and while they
We're marvcling over this strange occur
renee, the steamer, as they saw it re-
cceding, seemed to rise from the water
and disappear toward TT. Tottcn, like a
skeleton i'll the lowering darkness. Mr..
and Mrs. Best returned to the landing
and related their experience. An hour
later the Minnie II. came along, pulled
up to the pier, took on the campers and
proceeded to this city. The phantom
vessel has been the chief topic Of con-
vcrsation among the people ut the land.
ing ever since, and Mrs. Best has not
yet recovered from the effects of the
strange phenomenon.
Two years ago Mrs. Peck, of TT. Tot
ten, watching from the doorway of the
hotel, saw the Minnie II. approaching
the post landing, and hurriedly pre-
pared supper for the passengers. The
meal was spread and became cold, but
no passengers arrived. A courier was
sent to the landing to ascertain the
cause. but the steamer had not arrived,
nor was she to be esecn anywhere for two
hours aftcrward, when she hove into
sight six or eight miles out, and in due
course of time threw her hawsers over
the pier piling.
| In 1880, before settlement was made
on the north shore, Frank Palmer, post
trader at the Fort, came over to this
side of the lake with two hired men in
Il small boat Mr. Palmer has farm
on this side, and after attending to nu-
mcrous duties about the place the three
men started back. A high wind came
up in the meantime, and the little boat
was about to be swamped, when one of
the men cried out, "Therc's the govern
mcnt steamer" Mr.. Palmer and his
other companion turned to see what
they also supposed to be the government
steam yacht, but the vessel passed on,
seeming to take 10 notice of the three
men. The storm continued to rage, and
after very unpleasant experience, the
party made land. When they got to
the post pier they we're surprised to find
the government yacht securely tied up
and no one on board OF her An exam
ination showed that there had been no
fire under the vessels boilers, and in
quiry at the post revealed the fact that
she had not moved from her pier dur
ing the day. At that time the governs
ment yacht was the only steamer on the
lake.
Capt. Herman, OF the Minnie H., re-
latcs a similar phenomenon which oc-
CURED the first year he ran his steamer
on these waters. The captain was about
to retire for the night, when he looked
out and saw passing out the straits to-
ward the Fort what he supposed to be
the Arrow, Capt. Sopcr's little propeller.
The captain called the attention Of his
sister and his daughter to the vessel, and
was at loss to know what would in
duce the Arrow to make Il trip at that
hour Of the night. Next morning the
captain met Capt. Snper and asked him
what took him to the Fort the night be.
fore. Capt. Sopcr assured him that his
propeller had not left her pier since ar
irving the day before.
The INTER OCEAN will not attempt an
explanation Of these strange phenom-
ena. The parties whose names are
quoted will vouch for the statements
made.
The Coming FAIR.
Farmers and gardeners of this region
should not neglect to preserve good spec
linens Of their products for exhibition at
the coming fair, to be held about Sept.
22 and g. Good cash premiums will be
offered, and those who do not get first,
second or third premium will doubtless
| kn oI1n IN coll tbnir nxb;h;tu m, %hn