The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-08-04

Strange visions Which Kansas Church
Member swears He Saw.

Member Swears Re saw.
In the way Of seeing sights and view
ing visions a Dickinson county farmer
has laid claim to first prize He has .
statement that is not only unique in |
every respect, but is told with startling |
attention to detail a. w. J. Smith, q
long time resident of the county, living |
seven or eight miles from town, pub
fishes in The Evangelical Visitor. the |
church organ Of the Brethren in Christ,
printed here, this week over his own
signature and attested by ain affidavit o
story of his strange visitation. He says
that in company with b. w. Blue, o
neighboring farmer, few nights ago
he stepped out of the house at Andrew
Thompson's, three miles from Manches-
ter and 8 from Abilene. As they looked
at the sky, which was clear, suddenly
something like large luminous ball
appeared in the northeast about 30 de-
grees above the eastern horizon.
''Is it q comet?"
lis it a meteor?'
The questions were asked simultane-
ously. "But, " says Mr.. Smith, there
was no time for answer. Just then it
shot westward, meteorlike, about three
degrees and Immediately returned ON
the same line to its first position. We
had only time TO say, Tt merits watch
i ing, when it opened as a casket with a
hinge, presenting on it's right GROSS
most beautiful, golden, corrugated and
| furnished. At the left of this was a
living man clad in citizens style, with
a plain crown on his head. His form
was symmetrical, his countenance bright
and permissive--a perfect son of man.
ssThe casl:et soon closed, and away 1t
went to the eastern horizon like me-
teor. There it oscillated as III for time to
be emptied aud refilled, returning on
the same path to its original place. Ii
opened, presenting a portly man, with
sword and scabbard on his thigh, cross
ON his breast and ON his head q crown
of many glittering jewels, like stars.
; He looked beautiful, but was partly hid
den by an obtrusiye rider on black or
dark horse.
'sThese were hidden or overshadowed
by naughty woman in costly royal at
tire. who seemed to rule over both.
Then these were eclipsed by the coming
of military leader with sword in right
hand, elevated ready to strike, the scab-
bard cast away, cross on his right
J breast and square and compass on has
left. On his head was q military hat,
the crown blended with the mans hair.
!, On each side of the mans head was Q
) horn, and cross was erect behind him.
!. He stepped ont and forth and began &C
. ton, never stopping TO rest or turning
: his back ON the enemy. He retreatet
!. eastward TO within about five degrees d
!. the horizon, then began to advance will
|. heavy martial tread, like one trampint
: the wine press and welding his sword
. About 1l:40 p m. as we stoot
watching the phenomenon, blood wa
!, seen to stream forth from the caske
and spread far and wide, apparently 20'
4 miles in extent. Mr.. Blue, who il
veteran of the war, said it was like th
blood OF the battlefield, only deepe
red. The warrior seemed at times to b
i'm blood to his knees and above.
!. .At 1915 retired, but Mr.. Blue re
\ mained watching until Q a. m. and say
n the warrior was yet parading the skie
a and was joined by another, who ad
4 vanced to meet him from the east. III
a casket vanished after this warrior steI
"a ped ont. Myself and Mr.. Blue saw th
n first and second scenes. Others saw pal
n OF the second. Mr.. Thompson and Mi
4 Blue saw all the second /"
4 Mr.. Smith adds TO his statement
Il morally sworn, " az he says, az TO
n lows: IT hereby certify the above to |
= given as penned as seen by me. Othel
Il may have seen more or less points.
IA The Visitor, usually very conservativ
"a ON such matters, calls attention to u
n description editorially. Abilene Go
St T,nnis Globe Democrat