The Bourbon News (Paris, Ky.), February 5th 1918
Mercer County People See Blazing Flag In Sky.
A mysterious phenomenon was witnessed by many people in the county several nights ago. It was a large blood red banner in the sky that in a few moments changed to the semblance of a flag with the white bars across it. The banner was low above the northwestern horizon and appeared between 4 and 5 o’clock in the morning. Those who saw it state it was about 300 feet in length and wide in proportion. It moved with a slow majestic sweep eastward and disappeared.
One of the first people to report the strange sight was Sam Ison, of east Mercer. He said the family rose unusually early as hogs were to be killed that day, and as he went out to light the fire under the hog box he was startled to see the strange and unusual vision in the sky. He called Mrs. Ison and his father and all three watched the vision until it changed to a flag and faded out. Bodine Yocum and Joe Denny, of the same neighborhood, also saw the mysterious banner. Mrs. Mattie Russell, who lives in the west end of the county, and who is a daughter of J. M. Leonard, was awakened suddenly from sleep by the bright light, and thinking the sun had come up and caught her asleep, jumped from the bed and was awed to see the big blood red banner with its white stripes unfurled across the sky.
Mr. Leonard says his daughter was thoroughly mystified as to what caused the banner in the sky and that it was unlike anything she had ever seen. J. F. Reed, who lives three miles from Harrodsburg on the Cornishville pike, was another witness who watched the majestic sweep of the big flag across the dark horizon. He says it was a beautiful and awe inspiring sight and seemed like something beyond human explanation. It was too early in the morning for the sun to lend any color to the sky, and being in the northwest was also an evidence that the sun could have been in no way responsible for the luminous banner. A number of others in widely separate parts of the county saw the red flags with the white stripes that was flung by some unseen power across the expanse of heaven, and if anyone can offer a satisfactory solution of the mystical and baffling sight he would be glad to hear it. Harry Terhnne, of Talmage, stated that he and his family saw the sight and that it was the grandest phenomenon he ever witnessed. Charles Hudson, of near Rose Hill, was awakened by the big light and noted its passing eastward but did not get up.
Disclaimer: This 1918 newspaper article was published prior to 1931. Under United States copyright law (specifically the 95-year rule), this work has entered the public domain and is thus free to use or republish. It is presented here as an interesting and folkloric newspaper oddity.
Categories: Newspapers, Sky Visions, Kentucky (KY)