The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-26
GHOST HAUNTS FORTY MILE.
MINERS TELL A STORY Of BLOOD
CURDLING ADVENTURE.
Night spent in Cabin Where Pioneer
Prospector Was Murdered by In
dams I'm 1850 FILLED with Terror
The Tragedy Is Re-enacted.

Southeastern Alaska has her Lost
Rocker legend and the Yukon, according
10 recent arrivals, is puzziing over the
alleged nocturnal rambles of the ghost Of
a murdered man In the Forty-Mfle dis
trict. Following the excitement incident
to the discovery OF Bonanza bar and the
sensational riches Of franklin gulch. came
the murder OF old Frenchman named
Iasale. Tanana Indians committed the
crime In 1855. They crossed over to Forty
Mile, numbering Lasalle In his cabin at
the mouth OF O'Brien creek. With axes
and bludgeons the old Frenchman's head
was literally beaten into a pulp
This was In the fail OF that year. Ever
since the murder the residents have mad
an uneasy feeling regarding that cabin,
and several nave testified that they have
heard strange noises in one OF the rooms
and seen things happen that had no earth
And now comes the testimony Of Fred
Nelson, who. according TO the Dawson
Daily News, tells a strange story OF a
stranger manifestation of some occult
force, in which the ghost Of the departed
Lasalle figures
Nelson and his partner. Swanson, were
stopping in the front room OF the long
deserted cabin at the mouth of O'Brien
creek on the night OF January 49, About
midnight they heard a strange noise in
the other part OF the cabin, as OF some
one moaning and crying for help. Nelson
went outside and looked into the window.
blood and fastened him 10 the spot as IN a
trance. This was the image OF a man
surrounded In cloud of white, mist-like.
phosphorescent light. deep scar standing
out Ike a bleeding cash down the side OF
the head. The story OF the murdered la
sale crossed his mind, and for several
minutes ne was chained to the spot by the
terror OF the spectacle.
The apparition was half lying on the
floor. with arm uplifted. as IL warding on
q blow from an ak or other sharp instru-
ment. Finally, IN the desperation OF his
terror Nelson called his partner to come
to his assistance. Upon the approach Of
his companion he summoned enough cour-
end OF the cabin and try to open It. 1t
was held fast by "A mysterious agency.
which allowed the door to be only partly
opened.
Nelson's partner, Swanson, at the sight
of the ghostly visitor. was not go badly
overcome. and, having an inquisltive turn
OF mind was In for finding out IL the APP
partition really existed. He called out,
demanding to know who was there. There
was no answer, though the mysterious
noises, as the signing Of the wind through
the forest continued. Then II WAS that
Swanson gathered all that was left Of mis-
fast-disappearing courage, and said. In
the name OF the Father, Son and Holy
Ghost are you demon, man or Rhost2"
Suddenly the door opened. and In the
uncertain. misty light the apparition
raised Its hands TO the stars as n In
prayer. and then suddenly II grew dark
and the ghostly visitor vanished as IL the
earth had engulfed H.
This strange story is told by Nelson and
swanson, and its recital has caused a
sensation among the prospectors about
OBrien and Glacier creeks. The gloom
OF the supernatural has eettled like pail
about the lonely cabin at the mouth Of
oBrien creek. and Its shelter Is stunned
as the abode of nameless horrors.