The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1896-10-31
UAiboDaux 5fnt .ult.
THE WEIRDEST SPOT,
BLOOD CURDLING FEATURES OF sU-
PERST!TlON MOUNTAIN.

Travellers Say It Is the Most Uncanny Spot
ON the Face Of tile ~so,ne OF the
Experiences Likely to Befail the Ven
turesome Night Explorer.
The most urcanny spot on the face Of
the earth is very likely within the
boundaries Of the Superstition noun
tains in Arizona. The name was given
this range of volcanic rock by the Indi-
ans. and never was name more appro-
pirate. OF course the educated man Of
today knows that ali of the strange and
weird phenomena to be seen there are
the result of natural causes and can be
easily explained. but the poor Indian
who knows not these things can hardly
be blamed for having a wholesome fear
OF any part of the range.
The stories the Indians tell Of the
Superstition mountains would take
months to repeat, but the idea Of all Of
them seems to be to impress the fact
that the arch 1iend who presides over
the domain has a hatred of the red man
and is constantly laying traps to destroy
hiE. All who enter the realms of hor-
ror do SO at the risk of never coming
back, and all who do come back have
ssne new tale to add to the already long
list. The most terrible things told Of
are the swinging stones that turn out
from the walls of q canyon and crush
the rasserby. Then there are places
where the ghosts dance; trees that
reach out their branches and entaugle
all who come neal them. There are cav
ems filled with witches and devils and
awful birds that make the stranpest
sounds. Wild animals by the thousands
come right out of the solid rocks. Fish
es with legs come from the lakes and
drown all within their reach. Fire and
smoke and horrible groans and bowls
I'LL the air On all sides.
To see the weird aspect of this uncan-
ny region it is best to select that time
of the month when the moon is full.
The most interesting portion is in a cali
yon that opens on the north side of the
range, and if IN explorer will manage
to get about ten miles into this during
the daytime, and, after selecting a quiet
spot, wait for the moon to rise, he can
have an experience he will never forget.
But don't go unless your nerves are
strong.
In most parts Of tbs world silence
with the night. Just the reverse
to be the case in the Superstition
Or is this imagination? But
suddenly the air is rent with the most
.unearthly shrieks that ever fell on NOR.
tai cars. Again and again it m and
rolls and echoes through the canyons,
getting weirder with each r~everbera-
ton. The ely is taken up on all sides
until tue mountains seem like pande-
mOnium.
But nerve yourself and pass on. Keep
the bottom Of the canyon. and you
will be in no danger of a fall. Silence
will come again, and if you keep on you
will soon see a one shaped mountain
before you. Approach closer, and
castle as perfect as any on the banks
Of the Rhine will appear perched on its
summit. When near enough, a soft,
mufaed sound of footsteps will be heard.
What is it? By looking carefully a pro- |
,esslon OF panthers can be seen walking |
around the cone shaped mountain as if |
guarding the castle on its summit.
Round and round they 20, looking
to right nor left, and though
noise is made they will not
notice 1t. Many old hunters say that it
IL possible for a man to walk right \
across the line and the panthers will not
attack him.
FARTHER up the canyon are numerous
yulches, into which the moonlight falls.
)ne OF them has o sort Of overhangin9
edge, and beneath it appears a crowd
u men. Surely they are talking, for
heir arms appear to move. their heads
urn from side to side. Some have on
White clothes and others appear to be
Il different colors. A peculiar sound
ike the murmur of voices fills the air.
By climbing a small canyon to the
the most startling sight in the
mountain can be seen. Surely it is not
this world. The canyon suddenly ter
inmates in q gulch that crosses it from
lde to side. At first sight it is only an
'byss Of inky blackness. Listen! A Pc
u!lar rumbling sound can be heard,
nd from the profound depth a white
obed figure will appear; then another
nd another. until there is q whole pro-
esslon OF ghosts passing over the brink.
Many of them will wave thoir arms
it reckoning the observer. While this
J going on clouds will appear to float
. from the sides. and perhaps thunder
I'LL be heard in the distance. But the
moves on and passes up a
anyon, and finally disappears over q
lif. Silence will follow, and the act
I'LL be repeated. This canyon cannot be