The Globe-republican., 1891-07-29
A Strange Coincidence.
From the Mendoza dll., Bulletin.

From the Mendoza Oll.) Bulletin.
Mendoza and vicinity has been agita-
ted the past week by an episode of truly
sensational character. 1t is what some
claim to be the supernatural. or mani
festation from the spirit world. In brief
it is this: A profile likeness of the late
Mrs. Ralph Shaffer, nee Ora Presher, has
appeared on the family monument at the
little church yard cemetery of Fairview,
5 miles east of this city. It is not in re-
lief or carving, but like shadow
moonlight shadow, and can be seen either
in the morning or afternoon. This fact
alone is not strange, as the apparation.
or whatever you chance to call it, is not
distinct likeness unless you have a
vivid Imagination. But the strange part
is in the previous circumstances, as fol-
lows:
Last spring the beloved wife of Ralph
Shaffer died. She was a beautiful young
girl, having been married to the man of
her choice about two years previous, at
the age of Is. Her maiden name was
Ora Presher. and she was we'll known
and highly esteemed by many friends,
and greately beloved by her husband,
who, after the remains had been inferred
in the Presher burial lot at Fairview
cemetery, desired to have her name in
scribed on the family monument, along
with her fathers. But it seems Mr..
Shaffer and his wife's mother, Mrs.
Presher, had not been on friendly terms,
and the latter refused TO have her daugh-
ter's name engraved on the monument
as Shaffer, consequently her grave was
unmarked by any inscription. The young
husband protested, but the mother was
immOvable. This is a fact. as Mr.. Shat
fer has it in writing to our certain
knowledge.
About six weeks ago he WAS riding by
the cemetery and noticed on the mOnu-
ment (Which is near the rOad) what APP
peared to be small shadow about the
size of your hand. right on the in>crip-
ton of the girls father. Mr.. Shaffer
looked closer and thought it bore some
resemblance to his departed wife. but
said nothing about it until later some
of the neighbors noticed the same thing
and spoke to Mr.. =. concerning it. Since
then the alleged apparition has grown
until it is now life sized. Mr.. Shaffcr at
L,,,
As soon as it WAS heard of in tn" city
considerable excitement prevailed. and
1.-The Fairview >pccter' has been the
chief topic of conversation for the past
week. There ha, been II constant pill
grimage out Ia the ii:lle church yard
from here a> we'll a. from miles around.
day.and buses have been carrying those
who had no conveyance Of their OWN.
So great WAS the excitement that IL DEH,.
HH representative went ont to- --p HE al
legged spsctcr, interview the Interested
parties. and pass au unbiased opinion for
the benefit of our readers
There is undoubtediv Il mark on the
stone bearing some resemblance" 10 Il
young woman head and bust. which is
not in the grain of the marble as il is :.
pure white piece of stone, with no cloud
ed lines. At first sight it appears like a
shadow, bearing As much resemblance to
a man as Il woman. but Il continued gaze
one seems to see Il wOman's semi profile.
with bangs, and the hair done up on the
back of the head. The neck and chin is
plain aud also the shoulders. with "A
scarf about the neck. Otherwise there are
no distinct features-nO eyes, no nose or
mouth. ut least to our view. 1t is about
eight inches wide and fourteen inches
high. directly in the middle of the stone. |
1t seems more like faint moonlight
shadow than anything else. except that
it appears to be about half an inch in the
stone and showing through. Crhis lat
ter of course is purely imagination. al
though it appears the same TO ALL Some
who have viewed the stone see nothing, |
but nine out of ten see the same, while |
some of the most staid and level headed |
old farmers who live near and know the |
girl say it looks as much like Mrs. Shat !
fer as her photograph.
What is it: That is the question. There
is certainly a mark on the stone that is
something ont of the usual line. but we !
scout the idea of it being anything SUI
pernatural. There are many things that |
seem strange for q while. but they inva-
riably when Sifted down or are given the 4
test of time prove To be- only what is in /
accord with the working of the great /
hand of Nature. This will be the same
we have no doubt of it. 1t may be Il mark I
ing in the marble which is being brought /
ont by the elements.
The fact of a shadow like resemblance I
on tombstone would not |
alone occasion much comment. bnt ir is /