The record-union., 1894-09-08
BLOOD ON THE SKY.
Strange Things to be Seen in Kansas
Luminous CRsket.

A Luminous Casket.
The EUangeLicaE ViSitor, the organ of
the Brethren in Christ, published at Abb
lene, has., publishes a queer article
written and signed by Dickinson County
farmers, who attest by affidavit the truth
OF their assertions. All are church MEM
bers and the paper gives them editorial
credit, declaring that "they are all worthy
men; the writer's and witnesses" Their
article is this:
On the night of the 18th of September,
1898, b. w. Blue and II. w. Smith
stepped out of the house, the company
about to retire, being at Andrew Thomp-
sons, about three miles northeast of
Manchester, north of Freet's old stand,
Dickinson County, Kas. Northeast of
us, about thirty degrees above the hori-
Zon, was seen large, luminous ball. 'Is
it a comet?' 'Is it meteor?" we asked.
just then it shot westward, meteorlike,
about three degrees, and Immediately re-
turned on the same line to its first po-
sition. We had only time to say, ''It
merits watcbing," and it opened as a
cask ct with hinge, presenting on its right
a cross most beautiful golden, corrugated
and furnished; at the left of this was a
living man, clad in citizens style with a
plain crown, as it seemed on his head; his
form was symmetrical, countenance
bright and permissive-a perfect son of
ludus lhO Sdo hCb oOO1 ClOSSo dIU dWd dy
il went like a meteor almost to the east
ern horizon. There it oscillated just on
time to be emptied and rehlled, return
ing on the same path to its first position.
1t opened, presenting a portly man with
a sword and scabbard on his thigh, a
cross upon his breast. and on his head
a crown of many glittering stars. He
looked boastful and tyrannous-was hid
den by the obtrusive rider on the black
or dark horse. This was hidden or over
shadowed by naughty woman in costly,
royal attire. These were ali eclipsed by
the presentation of a military leader with
a sword in the right hand elevated ready
to strike, the scabbard cast away, a cross
on his right breast, snd square and COM
pass on his left; on his head was mill
tary hat with crown seemingly blended
with it. On each side OF his head was a
horn, perhaps only imitation, attached to
his coronal hat, ana cross was erect be-
hind him. ('He defender of the faith.")
He stepped forth and out and began
action-to the charge-the retreat, never
turning his back to the enemy. He
retreated eastward to within about
five degrees of the horizon, then be-
gan to advance with heavy,
firm step, like one treading the wine
press, and welding his sword. About
l1:40 blood was seen to stream forth and
spread wide and far in extent 81 900 fur
1OuRSs VI ZUO IIl1OSs MI D1u6 Sdlu III
was a fair representation of blood as he
had seen it on battlefields, except that it
was deeper red. The warrior seemed
at times to be in blood to his knees and
above.
At 1915 Smith retired. Blue was on
the watchtower until past o'clock in the
morning, reporting the scene yet in
golden colors; and one in the West ad-
vancing towards him in the East-must
meet sometime. Mr.. Blue thinks the lat
ter represents the leader Of the people.
The casket vanished after the warrior
stepped out. Smith and Blue saw the
first and second scenes. Others saw only
parts of the second. Mr.. Thompson and
Mr.. Blue may have seen nearly all of the
second.
Morally sworn-I certify the above to
be penned as seen by me; others may
have seen more or less points.
II. w. SMITH.
Smith is a farmer and has for many
years lived northwest of the city. Ali
the others are farmers and live within ten
miles of town.