The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-04-15
DEATH-DEALING SPOT
Section of Ground That Stays
Both Beast and Fowl.
Elkhart County People Discussing the
Fatal Properties of a Piece of Soil
on John Phillips's Farm.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
El-KHART, Ind, April IA phenome-
non that has long attracted attention from
the people of the immediate vicinity and
that has now become subject of decided
interest throughout this entire section ex-
lists IN the southwestern portion of this
county on the farm of John Phillips. II is
a patch of ground not more than twenty
feet in diameter, and of not unusual ap-
pearance. Yet the fact is undisputed
among those familiar with the circum-
stances that it possesses peculiar and won
derful properties, 1t is alleged, and has
frequently been proved to the satisfaction
OF those who have investigated the matter
that no small animal bird can venture
upon 1t without sacrificing it's life. This
marked bit of territory is located at about
the center of the Phillips farm, the soil Of
which is of a light color and of a sort CT
clayey consistency, with the exception CT
the small spot under consideration. This
latter is very dark and heavy, SO decided
and sudden departure from the surround
ing soil as to attract attention. The spot
IS not marshy. Several who have visited
the place aver that this particular place is
in a constant, though almost imperceptible
tremor. Other say they have never no.
confident that it has, in reality, the death
dealing properties Of the tabled Upas tree
which is reputed TO cause the death of any
bird that attempts to pass over it, 1t is re-
garded with great awe by the people of the
neighborhood, and nearly all of them relate
instances of it's singular power, though
none have any solution to offer further than
that some of the superstidoCs attribute 1t
TO a supernatural manifestation.
Mr.. Phillips says that one day while
hunting his dog ran on to the spot, but
scarcely had the animal passed its borders
before he gave sharp, stifed yelp sprang
into the air and fell dead. Mr.. Phillips, a
short time afterward, picked up a dead
rabbit the same spot, with no evidence
OF wound or sickness about ii, and SUBJ
sequently found several RABBITS. squirrels,
pdfecat, and at various times different kinds
Of animals that had alighted there. He
talked with his neighpors about 1t and
found that the reputation of the place was
of old standing throughout that section. so
old in fact as to constitute a subject Of
comment only when additional evidences of
its peculiar power were found. Mr. Phillips
himself is now firm believer in the pc
ne cannot attribute to ii all the wonder
full things OF which il stands accused by
some or the susceptible people or the nSigh-
borhood. He is confident, however, that he
has always experienced strange sensations
throughout his entire body when standing
on the place He doesn't venture on IL
any more, though, as he says IL is certain
~ very mysterious, no one knows what
might happen, and that it is better to be
safe than 10 be sorry. The spot is now
strongly incl0sed with a board fence
George Leaders, says that whenever he
passes the place at night the place being
about forty rods from the road, he can al
ways see a pale, but very easily discerni-
BILE, light. the size OF the spot, hanging
over il. Others also make this statement.
and the only explanation offered for this
latter feature of the phenomenon is that
IL may be caused by a phosphorescent con-
dition OF the ground Others are not SO
practical in their solution
Uncle Jerry Ziegier, who still lives on
the farm. which he secured from the gov
ernment before the Pottawattomie Indians
were removed from this section To the far
West. says the Indians knew OF the place
and regarded 1t with superstitious awe.
SQuaws siienced the cries of their children
and always brought them to a condition
OF obedience by threatening to take them