A STARTLING PHENOMENON.

Washburn Leader: Nels C. Erickson, one of the most trustworthy farmers in the county, was up at the county seat Friday and tells a startling item of wonder, following as it does so much of the phenominally {sp} strange that has appeared here this summer—and equally strange the apparition of air of which we speak, came as had the others—on Friday evening. It was on Friday evening, June 30, that the cyclone tore to pieces the Fort Stevenson barn—the largest in the county—and raised cain generally. It was at midnight Friday, July 21, that the great black cloud swept over the east end of the county sweeping away the Dan Williams barn—the second largest in the section.

On Painted Woods creek, above the mouth of the Yanktoney branch there is a peculiar—never freezing spring, called by the old frontier class here the Geysers. Near this point Mr. Gransom {sp} located a farm and has resided there for several years, caring for a bunch of cattle and sheep. Mr. Granstrom has a son about twelve years of age, called Edwin, who does the herding. Last Friday evening, about 6 o'clock, he was out with his herd, when happening to look toward the sun, he saw three great warships suspended in midair, and became terrified, ran for his home. As soon as he reached the door he cried out:

"Mother—Mother, see the great ships."

When Mrs. Granstrom went to the door, sure enough up in the sky where the boy was pointing—three mighty steamships could be seen plowing a calm sea but with rough waves in the wake of the steamers. Heavy ropes reached from one to the other. The huge cylindrical smoke stacks on each steamer were puffing up black columns of smoke. Men could be seen plainly about the rigging, and small boats were being lowered, and loaded camels were being hoisted as though being boarded. Everything in connection with the scene appeared remarkably distinct and was in full view of all the members of the Granstrom family for over two hours. The phenomenon was no doubt a mirage and the presence of camels would show a stupendous mirage-photo of transactions that had appeared—or was then appearing at a place, like the Suez canal. It was a strange sight truly these giant steamers suspended in mid-air—and though unusual such sights are not unknown.

Bismarck Tribune, 9/1/1899