Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 June 1891 — QUEER INDIAN TRADITIONS. [ARTICLE]

QUEER INDIAN TRADITIONS.

A. Hall of Fire That Plays Constantly Above an Old Grave. The Buffalo Express tells of an Indian’s grave along the shore of the Oneida Lake where at times a weird and supernatural light makes its appearance. It is described as a ball of fire about the size of a large orange, and OWays to and fro in the air about thirty feet from the ground, confining its irregular movements within a space about one hundred feet square. People have attempted to go near enough solve the mystery, but it would suddenly disappear before reaching it. A very peculiar story is told by the neighbors near the, spot. They claim that many years ago the locality was part of an Indian reservation. A man by the name of Belknap frequently dreamed that there was a crock in the Indian cemetery containing immense treasures, and that if he went there at the hour when graveyards yawn he could secure it. These dreams were repeated so often that they had a strong effect, and he went there with a pick and shovel according to instructions, but he failed to turn round three times when he found the crock, as the dream directed. He went to pick it up, but was stunned by a flash of lightning, and the crock disappeared. Since that time the spot has been haunted by this mysterious lixrhA