Remarkable Phenomenon

To the Editor of the Times and Seasons:-

Sir: In a communication from a friend of mine, Elder Wm. Martindale who is now preaching in Wayne county, Indiana, I received an account of the following singular phenomenon. As Washington was my former place of residence and as I am acquainted with the place where this singular phenomenon made its appearance, and also with the people whose names are mentioned, as witnesses to the fact, beleiving [believing] them to be men of probity and having confidence in their statement, it was somewhat interesting to me; thinking that the readers of your widely circulated journal might feel the same interest in it, as one of the signs that should take place in these last days, I have thought proper to forward it to you, leaving you to insert it, or not at your discretion.

The following account is given.

Washington, Wayne co. Ia.

Dec. 22, 1843.

Mr. John Hatfield,

Sir: * * * 'But I must hasten to give you an account of a singular phenomenon which was seen in this neighborhood on the night of the 19th inst. It was reported that a panther had been seen at the Logan deadening (you know the place) and on the evening of the 19th. Jesse Fox, William and Lorenzo Fox, David Bale, James Wilson, and William Cole, with some others repaired to the place to see if they could discover and kill the monster; but failing in this they retired to the house of Solomon Mendenhall at which place they stayed a short time, while there they discovered a ball rising from the east in an oblique line, and as it ascended it moved towards the west with great rapidity until it was high in the heavens, leaving a streak of light behind it, which, to the natural eye, had the appearance of being thirty or forty feet in length. This light remained stationary for about one minute; both ends then coming round formed a figure of 8, which figure also retained its position for the same space of time; it then was transformed into a figure of 6, which also remained for about a minute; it then was formed into a cyphes [cipher] or 0;

which remained for about three minutes. The figures put together made 1860 in large figures, in the heavens. The phenomenon was indeed singular and has been a matter of great speculation with us.,

Respectfully yours, &c.,

WILLIAM MARTINDALE.