The Irish standard., 1892-07-09
AN INDIAN SCARE.
Disaster Feared by Tribes in In
dian Territory.
Traditions Which Presage Dire Trouble
Visions of Phantom Warriors in
Deadly Combat Produce
CONSERVATION.

mingo, l. T., are predicting a disaster
some kind. They say that something
terrible is about to happen to their
tribes or to the invading white men.
The phantom tribe has been Sc en- and
heard in deadly conflict, and this is
sure indication that many dead men
will lie on the fields. For years there
has been legend among the Indians
Of this territory of phantom tribe
which was supposed to be the ghostly
remnant of once powerful nation that
was completely annihilated by an op-
posing tribe. This occurrence was so
far back that it is now one of the tradi-
tions that has grown misty with age,
and the Philadelphia Press says it has
been many years since there has been
any indication that there was a founda-
ton of truth for the legend which at
taches to certain valley in the western
part Of this territory. In this valley,
which is always Stunned by the lndi-
ans of all tribes, are many mounds, IN
dicating where hundreds Of people lie
buried In this valley, long ages ago,
q great battle is said to have been
fought and in this battle one whole
nation of red men was wiped from the
face of the earth by a victorious in
vader, who thereafter possessed the
land.
The traditions of the Indians are so
strong that ages do not wipe out the
legends, and where one or more Indians
have seen uncanny things and tell OF it
a. ~ 41o
tory, and where a spot is found to be
possessed of spirits the Indians never
afterward question the truth Of the
story. but forever abandon the place
Such is the history of the little valley
where it is said the great fight occurred
long years ago
In this valley, full of those little
mounds, the Indians claim they have,
on several occasions, seen the warrlng
tribes in deadly combat, and closely
following the ghostly battle came
trouble to the Indians. Either pesti-
leuce, famine or war has invariably
followed the apparition, and while the
Indians have not heard of the phantom
tribe for many years the legend is vivid
In their minds, and now they believe
they are again to be visited with trouble.
John Willis, deputy United States
marshal, is now responsible for the
scare among the Indians. for he is the
man who heard the deadly conflict be-
tween the phantom tribes. Willis did
s1ot know it at the time. and, while he
Is brave man, he heard such sounds
one night recently that he lay per-
fectly still. Willis was on the trail
OF band of horse thieves, and was be-
lated one night just as he entered
into a little valley covered with
snail mounds. He had never heard OF
the phantom tribe nor of the battle
which was fought in the valley. lie
was far from a house and picleted his
horse and made his camp. He had been
asleep for some time when he YVES
aroused by his horse, which was snort
tug and jumping about in terror. Wallis
iurped to his feet, thinking he was at
tackled by q band Of outlaws from the
noise which was made. 1t was bright
moonlight, but he could see nothing.
All around him there seemed to be an
Invisible host OF men, some on horse
back and some on foot, and these men
appeared to be in deadly conflict. The
noise Of the tranp]ing hoofs and rush
ing men could be plainly distinguished,
while blows were struck so forclbly
that the sound could be distinctly heard.
Backward and forward the battle OF
ghosts seemed to rage for over an hour,
vet all the while not q thing could be
seen in the valley and Willis was almost
convinced that the sounds were the re-
suits Of q dream. His horse continued
its frantic efforts to escape and at last
Willis was compelled to saddle the ami
NAL and get away from the valley. just
as ne got beyond the confines Of the
valley all sounds ceased and he was
tempted to turn back, but just as he en-
tered the valley the war began again.
He told his story to the Indians and
shen the story Of the phantom tribe
came out, and the Indians told OF the
disaster which was sure to follow the
appearance Of the phantom warning red
men.
Esuuima ux for the Falr.
The schooner Evelina is being fitted