Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-03-26
BARNEsvmLE,s MANIFESTATIONS
An Intensely Brilliant Star Is Seen by Sow
eral Pertons In a Coal Mine.

eral Pertons In a Coal Mine.
BABNEsyILLE, OHIO, March 25.-There
are number of coal miners in this place
whose faith in ghosts and things super
natural has recently been made the stonger
by personal experience with a mysterious
visitation.
For several years the Fahrer Brothers
have operated coal mine on the lands of
Jehu Hayes, a short distance north Of town,
where from twenty to thirty men were
employed digging the dusky diamonds
The other day two of the miners were ont
in the main entry of the mine engaged in
conversation about their work, when
bright ball Of fire, in the shape Of a star,
suddenly appeared before them. Iu
moment the star became intensly brilliant
and fairly dszzled their eyes. Now it
swayed back and forth, up and down,
with great rspidity. Watching it for
time, one Of the men started toward it with
a view OF investigation. As he approached
the thing would move off. When he stop
ped it stopped. He followed it TO the
mouth of the entry, when it went ont in
the Daylight and disappeared.
The men reported what they bad seen
to some of their companions, who ridi-
culed the idea and discredited their story.
Among those was William Loeiller, the
mine bOss. The following day, however,
LOt tfller changed his tune. Just rs he was
entering the mine the fiery star appeared
right in front of him. At one time it
seemed that it would hit him square in
the face, and be raised his hand to strike
it, but It darted of He followed 1t to
the end of the entry-a distance of two or
three hundred yards-where it vanished
for a moment, only to appear again IN his
rear. Sometimes it would haug in space
then dart TO one side aud then the other,
nOW lingering for moment on the edge
of a projecting piece of slate, and
always moving off when an attempt was
made to approach it. At different times
the glistening visitor appeared in tine same
manner, and going through tho same an
tics to the discontinue of George Fahner
and John Gallagher, and later three col
ored miners experienced a view OF it, aud
were almost frightened out of their wits.
They left the mine in a hurry, declaring
that the place was haunted aud they
woulda't work in it any more. Finally
James Hinep, whose son wac crushed to
death By falling slate in the mine a year
ago. told the miaers that the strange light
wss the spirit Of his dead boy in the form
of a star sent to warn them of dangerous
mine.
A day OF two after Hines had impaired
this information, Lot iller was acting as
mule driver when the star once more APP
peared. Ol this occasion he says he saw
it Just as he started with train OF loaded
cars for toe chute. 1t went through pretty
much the same gyratiOns rs on former Oc-
demonstrating from side TO side, skim
ming along the roof, always keeping in adj
vance aud at one time lingering for mo-
ment on the point of one of the mule's
ears. II would always disappear at the
mouth Of the entry when be went out, and
meet him ut the same place when entering
the mine, and always disappearing at
either cad A strange thing about its
vists is that it never Wa seen in any Of
the several rooms leading from the main
entry, aud this fact was the cause OF much
theonzing among the miners, aud 1t was
generally conceded, and, indeed, accepted
by all, thst the mine entry was in. danger,
aud they were having timely warning
through This mysterious agency.
The climax came last week, however,
and James Hines is now looked upon as
prophet. Oa Friday evening the few men
who had not bean frightened from the mine
had finished their days work and were on
their way homeward. Loetfler remained
b hind 10 look after matters. Just es he
was leaving the mine hundred feet or
more of the entry caved in, and Loeillar
was partially buried. Re saved his life by
crawling through an sperture-none too
soon, however as a second slip OF the nil
completely closed it up. He escaped with
a few severe bruises. The fall OF the entry
completely wrecked the mine, and opera
tioLs are forever abandoned at that point.
Another peculiar phase of this story If
that On the very day the mine fell in one
year ago, at almost the exact hour, young
Hines was killed in it. VAST his spirit in
the form of a fiery star that warned the
miners Of their danger? If not, what was 1t?