site logo

The Spook Of Diamond Island

Scary Books: The Best Ghost Stories
:

(St. Louis _Globe-Democrat_, Sept. 18, 1888)



HARDEN, Ill., Sept. 18.--For some time past rumors have been circulated

in Hardin to the effect that Diamond Island, in the river about two

miles from this place, was the home of a ghost. The stories concerning

the movements of the alleged spook were, of course, not given any

credence at first, but later, when several reputable citizens of Hardin

announced that
they had positively seen an uncanny looking object moving

about on the island at night, the rumors were more seriously considered.

Now, after investigation, the mysterious something is no longer

considered a myth.



Along toward midnight a peculiar light is seen at the foot of the

island. It has the appearance of a huge ball of fire, and is about the

size and shape of an ordinary barrel.



A few nights ago a party of young men from this place determined to

visit the island and fathom the mystery if possible. Equipped with

revolvers, knives, shotguns, and clubs, the party secured a boat and

were soon cutting through the water at a good speed for a point on the

island near where the specter usually made its appearance. Arriving at

the landing place, the skiff was hauled up on the shore and the young

men took up a position in a clump of trees close at hand to watch and

wait.



Suddenly the whole point of the island was illumined as a bright red

object rose apparently from the water and glided up into the air.

Ascending probably to a height of forty yards, the watchers saw the

lurid ball fade away. The investigating party had seen all they wanted.

They made a mad rush for the boat, but, just as they reached the place

where it had been left, they were horrified to see the little craft

moving out on the water from the island. At first its only occupant

seemed to be the red ball of fire, but the next moment the watchers saw

the crimson object gradually take the form of a man, and they saw him,

too, dip the oars at regular intervals and pull a long, steady stroke.

The man's features were fully concealed by a wide-rimmed slouch hat,

which was drawn over his face. A peculiar light illumined the boat and

the waters around it, making the craft and its mysterious occupant

perfectly discernible to the party on the shore, who stood paralyzed

with fear, unable to speak or move, their eyes riveted by some

mysterious influence they could not resist on the spectral object before

them.



The boat was now about in midstream, and suddenly the group of watchers

saw the skiff's occupant change again into the crimson ball. Then it

slowly began to move upward, and when it was about parallel with the

tops of the trees on the island it disappeared. Next instant the

watchers looking across the river saw nothing but the flickering lights

in Hardin.



The cries of the crowd on the island awakened a sleeping fisherman on

the opposite side of the river, and he kindly pulled across and rescued

the ghost-seeking youths. The fiery spook, it is said, still makes its

nightly trips to Diamond Island, but no more investigating parties have

ventured across to solve the mystery.



It is said that some years ago a foul murder was committed on this

island, and by the superstitious the crimson object is believed to be

the restless spirit of the slain man.



More

;