Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-01-11
THE SPECTRAL BOAT.
Account of q Strange Thing Seen on the
 Tennessee River.

THE SPECTRAL BOAT.
 Account of Strange Thing Seen on the
 Tennessee River.
 As O small party of ladies and gentlemen were returning home from attending social near this locality, they witnessed very strange spectacle. On arriving at the Ten nessee river, and just before crossing, there was heard q 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 a few moments more mysterious skiH was observed to put out from the shore, con- taining four persons, O woman and three men. One of the strangers proved to be silent oarsman, and, though the oars were seen to dip regularly, yet not a single sound could be detected es coming from them. But the figure of lady sitting upright in the bow of the boat and dressed like bride was quite conspicuous. One of the party appeared to hold a lantern, which shone dimly. All of sudden the rays of a mag nificent 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 skif so that the water and objects became remark ably distinct.
 1O SptCldlOIS LuS ldoy 1dCS was OlS- covered to be of the Grecian type and very pretty and her hair was wreathed with orange blossoms. The trousSeau was so extremely elegant that this modern Cleopatra seemed almost entirely enveloped in a lovely soft haze. On this little vessel tloated silently, like pilgrim bark, until the spectators began to quite believe it could be none other than reality. Never did a boat glide more smoothly, and the sightseers declare that they heard the beautiful tones of a we'll known inspiring song coming from the occupants of the skitf.
 The ladies 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 great puzzle to many | individuals in this vicinity. But they were | doomed to disappointment, as just before the | spiritual skiff and passengers had reached a | position opposite to where they stood on the | bank the light, boat and all of its occupants | vanished in q twinkling, and, though the 1 party of ladies and gentlemen made diligent | search, yet not another trace of the fairy skitf l and its occupants was visible
 This is not the first time that this wonder full boat and its human cargo have been seen 1 on their voyage down the Tennessee An old | fisherman, who lives further up the river, | declares that he has many a 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 beckoned for assistance. | There are many theories advanced regard | ing these strange sights. Some of the oldest settlers contend that the occupants of the skiff represent Indians, and that the bride while on tbe way to meet her intended bus band chief, was drowned, we'll as the balance of the party. In revenge the chiel cursed the river for its treachery and bid it: waters to never again do injury to tht red man, and from that day to this not all | 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 a Ger tain beautiful young lady, and the place anc
 time were arranged for their marriage nup tials Her parents, however, objected, an(
 did every thing in their power to prevent tn
 wedding. But the lover sent three youns
 men to bring his bride, and the young lad,
 stole from home by night and was beini taken down the river in boat to meet he
 affianced, when suddenly the craft capsize,
 and all were drowned. The lover, greatl,,
 aggrieved over his loss, immediately left tha section of the country and was never after ward heard of.
 To see this strange phantom is regarded Q
 an ill omen, and there are many persons wh
 cannot be induced to go near this river afte night for fear that they may unwillingly b
 compelled to witness the bridal boat specteI London Tenn.) Cor. St. Louis Globe-Den
 ocrat.