Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-03

which the team had been first observed ON
each occasion, but failure again resulted
The strictest watch was kept for the COM
Ing OF the phantom, but though all could
swear 1t had not passed them, il was
presently seen travelling slowly down the
street just beyond their post. Where the
wagon goes is likewise a mystery as
yet unsolved. 1t simply disappears before
the eyes of the watchers as if it had never
been; The excitement produced grows
hourly, and the majority of the people.
even the educated, intelligent class, is
very nearly convinced that the occurrence
can have but one origin, and that a super.
natural one, though what the object or
meaning of the apparation is all are equal
ly at loss to conjecture.
The negroes are even more wrought I'D.
and mediate an early exodus, as they be-
llcve that the destruction of the town is
thus foreshadowed. To avert this or to
prepare for it this portion of the populace
spends the night and the greater part of
the DAY IN carrying on religious services,
weeping and shouting for mercy, and liken-
ing the place to Sodon and Gomorah.
They are completely demoralized and can
not be induced to go to work
There are few skeptical spirits in the
community who persist in expressing their
belief that the people are being very clev-
eriy hoaxed by some one, who BY means of
retraction and ingeuiously disposed mir
rors causes the reflection of such a team to
pass down the street every night. In proof
OF this they point out the fact that the
phantom is not visible under the electric
light that has been placed on the street,
though On the other side Of it the appari-
ton is distinctly seen. But the theory is
too far fetched to gain credence with the
| masses, Hhoaare beginning to feel rather
proud of the sensation created by it. and
which bring in hosts of visitors from all
over tne country to see the thing for them
selves. Richmond is one of the oldest
towns in the state and was connected
with many of the thrilling events of
| Texas early history.
Col. Dan Thurber, one of the first set
tiers In The county, speaking of the mys-
| ferrous travellers, says that in 1S47 SINH
lar excitement prevailed over a phantom
wagon that traversed the village for seven
days and heralded an outbreak of yellow
| fever that depopulated the country. He
says that at that time it was believed that
the wagon carried family of pioneers, OF
their ghosts, to speak accurately. that had
been taken with the fever while coming
from louisiana, and smitten and diving
had passed through the village, but were
not allowed to stop even to bury their dead
or procure medicine for the sick, but were
forced to drive on out into the country
The oxen came back in a couple of weeks
still hauling their load, but the wagon
| was filled only with the dead and decay.
ing bodies.
As to the truth of this dreadful story
Col. Thurber could not be positive, but
knows such it was at the time spoken of
Other old settlers admit that they have
heard this story, and with that of the
ghost wagon they are we'll acquainted
one or two even remembering having
seen it in lS47. These are confident that
the appearance presages evil to the com
munlty. It. is now nearly week since
the phantom began its slow journeying,
and according to tradition has but one
more trip to make