Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-07
THE SPECTRAL BOAT.
Account of Strange Thing Seen on the
Tennessee River.

tennessee River
As small party of ladies and gentlemen
were returning home from attending social
near this locality, they witnessed a very
strange spectacle. On arriving at the Ten
nessee river, and just before crossing, there
was heard loud scream, accompanied by
splash, as if some heavy object had been
thrown into the water. Each one of the
party noticed the strange occurrence and
watched carefully
In Few moments more q mysterious skiff
was observed to put out from the shore, con-
tanning four persons a woman and three
men One of the strangers proved to be a
silent oarsman, and, though the oars were
seen to dip regularly, yet not single sound
could be detected coming from them.
But the figure of lady sitting upright in
tho bow of the boat and dressed like a bride
was quite conspicuous. One of the party
appeared to hold lantern, which shone
dimly. All of sudden the rays of mag
niiicent light, considerably brighter than the
moonlight and very similar in intensity to
that produced by electric currents, appeared
and shot its rays directly around the skiff so
that the water and objects became remark
ably distinct
To the spectators the lady's face was dis
covered to be OF the Grecian type and very
pretty, and her hair was wreathcd with orange
blossoms lie trousseau was so extremely
elegant that this modern Cleopatra seemed
almost entirely enveloped in a lovely soft
haze On this little vessel floated silently,
he Il pilgrim bark. until the spectators began
to quite believe it could be none other than
a reality Never did a boat glide more
smoothly, and the sigltseers declare that they
heard the beautiful tones of well known
inspiring song coming from the occupants of
the skif.
The Indies and their companions on shore
watched the little craft most eagerly, expect
ing that they would soon have an opportu-
tunity to solve the wonderful spiritual enigma
that has long been a great puzzle to many
individuals in this vicinity. But they were
doomed to disappointment, as just before the
spiritual skif and passengers had reached a
position opposite to where they stood on the
bank the light, boat and all of its occupants
vanished in a twinkling. and, though the
party of ladies and gentlemen made diligent
search, yet not another trace of the fairy skiR
and its occupants was visible.
This is not the first time that this wonder
full boat and its human cargo have been seen
on their voyage down the Tennessee. An old
fisherman, who lives further up the river,
declares that he has many time witnessed
the same phantoms stealthily gliding over the
surface of the water, and on one occasion he
was accosted from the boat by sweet voice,
which spoke in an unknown tongue, and ap-
parently beckoued for assistance.
There are many theories advanced regard
ing these strange sights Some of the oldest
settlers contend that the occupants of the
skiT represent Indians, and that the bride,
while on the way to meet her intended hus-
band, q chief was drowned, as well as the
balance of the party. In revenge tho chief
cursed the river for its treachery and bid its
waters TO never again do an injury to the
red man, and from that day to this not an
other Indian was ever known to die in its
waters
Another story is that during the early
pioneer days of Kentucky prominent Ken
tuckian became greatly enamored of GER
tain beautiful young lady, and the place and
time were arranged for their marriage nup-
tials. Her parents, however, objected, and
did everything in their power to prevent the
wedding. But the lover sent three Young
men to bring his bride, and the young lady
stole from home by night and was being
taken down the river in a boat to meet her
affianced, when suddenly the craft capsized
and all were drowned. The lover, greatly
aggrieved over his loss, Immediately left that
section of the country and was never after
ward heard of
To see this strange phantom is regarded as
an i'll omen, and there are many persons who
cannot be induced to go near this river after
night for fear that they may unwillingly be
compelled to witness the bridal boat specter
London Uennl Cor st. Louis Globe Dem
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