The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-10-18
THE sPooK OF DIAMOND ISLAND
A Fiery Wrath That Sometime Takes
On the Appearance of a Man.

a rI6IV w TaIGn 1A6L ldH6S
On the Appearance of a Man.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
For some time past rumors have been cir
culated in Hardin to the effect that Dia-
mond island, in the river, about two miles
from this place, was the home of a ghost.
The stories concerning the movements of
the alleged spook were, of course, not given
anycredence at first, but later, when several
reputable citizens of Hardin announced that
they had positively seen an uncanny-looking
object moving about on the island at n ght,
the rumors were more seriously considered.
Now, after investigation, the mysterious
something is no longer considered myth.
Along toward midnight peculiar light
is seen at the foot of the island 1t has the
appearance of huge ball of fire, and is
about the size and shape of an ordinary bar
rel
A few nights ago party of young men
from this place determined to visit the
island and fathom the mystery if possible.
Equipped With revolvers, knives, shotguns,
ard clubs, the party secured boat and were
soon cutting through the water at a good
speed for a point on the island near where
the specter usually made its appearance.
Arriving at the landing-place, the skit3 was
hauled up on the shore and the young men
took up position in clump of trees close
at hand to watch and wait.
Suddenly the whole point of the island
was illumined as a bright red object rose
apparently from the water and gided up
into the air. Ascending probably to
hght OF forty yards, the watchers saw the
lurld ball fade away.
The investigating party had seen all the
wanted. They made q mad rush for tne
boat, but just as they reached the place
%here.it had been left they were Mortified
TO see the little craft moving out on the
water from the island. AT first its only
occupant seemed to be the red ball OF fire,
but the next moment the watchers saw the
crimson object gradually take the form Of
man, and they saw him, too, dip the oars
al regular intervals and pull long, steady
stroke. The mans features were fully con-
ceaed by a wlde-rimmed SLOUGH hat, which
was drawn over his face. A peculiar light
llumined the boat and the waters around 1t,
making the craft and its mysterious occu-
pant perfectly discernible to the party. on
1le shore, who stood paralyzed with fear,
unable to speak or move, their eyes rtveted
ny some mysterious influence they could not
resist on the spectral object before them
me boat was now about in midstream,
e eLu suddenly the group OF watchers saw
Sne Sklh's occupant change again into the
crimson ball. Then it slowly began to move
Inward, and when it was about parallel
S %lol The tops of the trees on the island 1t
ISsa5ppeared. Next instant the watchers
.IIoAIng across the river saw nothing but
'n ~ ilckering lights in Hardin.
me cries of the crowd on the island awak-
eleu sleeping fisherman on the opposite
o,ue oil the river and he kindly pulled across
Nm M rescued the ghost-seeing youths.
r;d tne 1ery spook, it is said, still makes its
nrnsnely trips to Diamond Island, but no
lure aoole INVESTIGATING parties have ventured
0Ioss 70 solve the mystery.
do ~ Is Is said that some years ago a foul muir
~ was committed on this island, and by
i ao s1perstitious the crimson object is be-
man. 'p-'-