The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1894-07-21
BATTLE IN THE HEAVENS.
Strange Visions Which a Kansas Church

oSI IL TN iElE IiI's I'sS'
Strange Visions Which Il Kansas Church
Member Syvears He 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 H. W. J. Smith,
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 an affidavit a
story Of his strange visitation. He says
that in company with B. W. Blue, a
neighboring farmer, a few nights ago
he stepped out of the house at Andrew
Thompson's, three miles from Manches
ter and Is from Abilene. AS they looked
at the sky, which was clear, suddenly
something like a large luminous ball
appeared in the northeast about 80 de-
grees above the eastern horizon.
els it a comet?''
ISIS it a meteor?"
The questions were asked simultane-
ously. "But," says Mr.. Smith, there
was nc 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, 1t merits watch
ing when it opened as casket with a
hinge, presenting on it's 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 on his head His form
was symmetrical, his countenance bright
and permissive-a perfect son of man.
1.-THE casket soon closed, and away it
went to the eastern horizon like a me-
teor. There it oscillated as if for time to
be emptied and refilled, returning on
the same path to its original place. It
opened, presenting a portly man, with
sword and scabbard on his thigh, cross
on his breast and on his head crown
Of many glittering jewels, like stars.
He looked beautiful, but was partly hid
den by an Obtrusive rider on black or
dark horse.
''These were hidden or OyershadOWed
by naughty woman in costly royal at
tire, who seemed to rule over both.
Then these were eclipscd by the coming
of military leader with sword in right
hand, elevated ready to strike, the scab-
bard cast away, cross On his right
breast and square and compass on his
left. On his head was a military hat,
the crown blended with the mans hair.
On each side Of the mans head was
horn, and cross was erect behind him.
He stepped out and forth and began &C
ton, never stopping to rest Or turning
his back on the enemy. He retreated
eastward to within about five degrees Of
the horizon, then began to advance with
heavy martial tread, Ike one tlalnping
the wine press and welding his sword.
''About 11:4O p ID. as we stood
watching the phenomenon, blood was
seen to stream forth from the casket
and spread far and wide, apparently 200
miles in extent. Mr.. Blue, who is a
veteran Of the war, said it was like the
blood Of the battlefield, only deeper
red. The warrior seemed at times to be
in blood to his knees and above.
cat 1915 retired, but Mr.. Blue re-
NAMED watching until 2 a. m. and says
the warrior was yet parading the skies
and was joined by another, who ad-
vanced to meet him from the east. The
casket vanished after this warrior STEP
ped out Myself and Mr.. Blue saw the
first and second scenes. Others saw part
of the second. Mr.. Thompson and Mr..
Blue saw all the second. "
Mr.. Smith adds to his statement,
'smorally sworn" as he says, as fol-
lows: II hereby certify the above to be
given as penned as seen by me- Others
may have seen more or less points, -
The Visitor, usually very conservative
on such matters, calls attention to the
description Abilene Cor.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.