St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-11-12
sPooK OF DIAMOND ISLAND.

A Fiery Wrath That Sometimes
Takes on the Appearance of a
Man.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.
HARDIN, ILL.,. Sept. 1s.-For some
time past rumors have been circulated
in Hardin to the effect that Diamond
Island, in the river about two miles
from this place, was the home of a
ghost. The stories concerning the move
ments of the alleged spook were, of
course, not given any credence at first,
but later, when several reputable cltl-
ZenS of Hardin announced that they had
positively seen an uncanny looking OBJ
ject moving about on the island at night,
the rumOrS were more seriously
considered. Now, after investiga-
ton, the mysterious something is
no longer considered myth.
Along toward midnight a peculiar
light is seen at the foot of the island.
1t has the appearance of a huge ball OF
fire, and is about the size OF an ordi-
nary barrel.
A few nights ago party of young
men from this place determined to visit
the island and tathom the mystery if
possible. Equipped with revolvers,
knives, ShotgunS and clubs. the party
through the water at good speed for a
point on the island near where the
specter usually made its appearance.
Arriving at the landing place, the skiff
was hauled UP on 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 illuminated as bright-red object
rose apparently from the water and
glided into the air. Ascending DrOba-
bly, to height of forty yards, the
watchers saw the lurid ball fade away.
The investigating party had seen all
they wanted. They made mad rush
for the boat, but, just as they reached
the place where 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 mo-
ment the watchers saw the crimson OBJ
ject gradually take the form of man,
and they saw him, too, dip the oars at
regular intervals and pull long, steady
stroke. The mans features were fully
concerted by a wide-rimmed SLOUGH
hat. which was drawn over his face. A
peculiar light illumined the boat and
the waters around it, making the craft
and its mysterious occupant perfectly
discernible to the party on the shore,
who stood paralyZed with fear, unable
to speak Or move, their eyes riveted by
some mysterious influence they could
not resist on the spectral object before
them.
The boat was now about in mid
stream, and suddenly the group of
watchers saw the skiff'S occupant
change again into the crimson ball.
Then it slowly began to move upward.
and when it was about parallel with the
tops of the trees on the island it disap-
peared. Next instant the watchers,
looking across the river, saw nothing
but the Pickering lights in Hardin.
The cries of the crowd on the island
awakened sleeping fisherman Oh the
opposite side of the river, and he kindly
pulled across and rescued the ghost
seeking youths.
The fiery spook, it is said, still makes
its nightly trips to Diamond island, but
no more investigating parties have ven
tured across to solve the mystery.
1t is said that some years ago foul
murder was committed OH this island,
and by the superstitious the crimson
object is believed to be the restless
spirit of the slain man. o