Ghostly Man in a “Black Mantle” Haunts Cemetery, 1881

Added By: R. Brock On: October 13, 2012

Alton Daily Telegraph, Alton IllinoisDecember 16, 1881

The Wood River Ghost

We gave an account yesterday of the supernatural visitor that is said to haunt the Milton cemetery, and has been terrifying the citizens of Alton Junction lately, and also of the the trip of eight Altonians to interview the mysterious apparation.

The Altonians, with unheard of valor, went within sight of the haunted spot, an, at about 10 o’clock, were rewarded with a view of the mysterious being. It appeared to them as a man clothed in a black mantle, with long, flowing hair, the height of the ghost ranging from six to nine feet, according to the magnifying power of the “bulging” eyes that stared at it, the company being speechless through amazement. It is reported that they had the temerity to stand within a hundred yards of the vision for 15 minutes, and then withdrew, without disturbing the ghost in the least, it walking back and forth a distance of 40 or 50 feet with a military and preoccupied air that was quite startling. Whether material or supernatural, the apparition was enough to demoralize the Altonians and send them back to town in disorder.

One of the railroad employees at the Junction visited the haunted spot a few nights ago, saw the apparition and bravely approaching it thrust his arm directly through its body. The completely unnerved him and he retreated to the Junction pale as the traditional ghost and firmly convinced of the supernatural character of the visitant.

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Ghostly Man in a “Black Mantle” Haunts Cemetery, 1881

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