Historic Oddity Headline: August 31, 1923 - Miners See Ghost: Won't Work Nights
The Bismarck Tribune
August 31, 1923
“Miners See Ghost; Won’t Work Nights.”
Billings, Mont., Aug. 31. - The Murray oil-drilling rig at Lake Basin has been shut down at night because the drillers say they saw the ghost of Bill Culbertson on four successive nights. Culbertson was killed in a fall from the derrick two months ago, and his mates now assert that they have seen his specter each night, standing on the identical spot on the derrick from which he fell to his death. The first night or two the drillers did not pay serious attention to the apparition, they say, but when it appeared on four nights, the last time while the crew were singing to keep up their spirits, they quit.
The story is told that shortly after the drilling started, one of the Murrays consulted a clairvoyant to find out how the well would pan out and was warned that a man would be killed. He is said to have passed the warning on to his men and advised them to be very cautious. Culbertson was killed a short time after Murray’s return.
“Historic Oddity Headlines” showcases actual articles written about truly odd occurrences that took place and were published within United States newspapers back in the 1800s-1900s. The articles posted here are written exactly as they appeared during their original publishing date.
-The Pine Barrens Institute
The Superior Times
June 29, 1907
“Produces Chicken That Talks.”
Californian Crosses Parrot and Guinea Hen with Strange Result.
The Hartford Herald
July 25, 1894
“STORY OF WITCHCRAFT.”
IN THE SOUTH - - - OLD KATE BATTS’ AWFUL SPELL.
History of the Famous Bell Witch and Its Tragic Persecution of an Entire Family in Tennessee.
A CHAPTER OF MYSTERY.
Press and Daily Dakotaian
February 21, 1889
“THEY FLED IN TERROR.”
The Odd Occurrence that Startled the Inhabitants of Litchfield, Ills.
Iron County News
December 10, 1921
“Mystery of Lost Atlantis.”
Believed by Many to Be Merely Legend, but Idea Can Not Be Entirely Uprooted.
Northern Wisconsin Advertiser
November 3, 1922
“EASY FOR SNAKES.”
Fisherman Was a Benefactor, Though He Didn’t Know It.
But for Chance Encounter, Mystery of Missing Catfish Might Never Have Been Solved.
Watertown Republican
September 27, 1893
“FOUND TWO SKELETONS.”
It May Result in Clearing Up a Mystery at Oconomowoc.
The Washburn Times
February 9, 1911
“Rodents Hoard Much Gold.”
Office Boy of Chicago Jewelry House Solves Mystery of Disappearance of Valuables.
Wausau Pilot
February 2, 1922
“Secret Doors In Mystery House.”
“Chain Girl’s” Story Makes Modest Appearing Cottage a Mecca for Curious.
PRISONER IN ATTIC.
Through Days and Nights of Terror Fifteen-Year-Old Girl Languished in Chains, According to Statement to Police.
Daily Arizona Silver Belt
September 11, 1907
“September 9 Is His Unlucky Day.”
For Nine Consecutive Years Mike O’Byrne Has Met with Accident on this Fatal Date.
FATHER’S DEATH ON SAME DAY AN ODD OCCURRENCE.
Slipped into a Shallow Shaft at San Carlos on Monday and Broke His Arm - Full Diary of Nine Years of Hard Luck.
The Lafayette Advertiser
November 25, 1913
“Hay Ricks Lifted On High.”
Remarkable Phenomenon That Is Said to Have Been Witnessed by Party of Scotsmen.
The Wisconsin Weekly Blade
February 8, 1917
“Finds Hidden Rooms In House Of Mystery.”
Carpenter Work on Old Place Reveals Apartments None Knew About.
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The Minneapolis Journal
November 16, 1901
“PREHISTORIC.”
Skeleton of a Giant Found in a Cave With Specimens of Rude Art.