11 December 1905Recovered from the logs of the Riverboat HastingsManfred's house burned down last night. I fear Old Tom, Dr Price, and their boys had a hand in it, but official word from the Rev Halzberg is they were at a pot luck at the time. No chance of getting a different song from those birds. There was a body in the house, they believe it was M himself, but was badly burnt and hard to tell. Report this morn says they found him in a circle of candles and books, looked demonic, some of the books were covered in strange symbols. Got asked if I knew anything after police were told we had received a strangely marked bell from him. I told them we had got a decorative bell, sure, but it weren't good for use and we no longer had it. They seemed content with that.
I put in for a move downstream. I want no more of this business in Allegheney.
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5 December 1905RECOVERED FROM THE LOGS OF THE RIVERBOAT HASTINGSAsked after Manfred as I hadn't heard from him in a few days. No-one in town has seen him, but Old Tom spit when I mentioned his name. I fear he and his boys have linked M and his bell to that business with the red Indian, there had been word he'd been raising ghosts on the river, and turned on him. These logs are the only place I know are safe to record what they're doing now. Word has it the Wozniak estate has been all but shunned. Old Tom came around asking if I'd heard anything on the river about Joanna and the boy. I told them I hadn't, and made sure to remind him that the river was starting to improve. I don't believe he was listening. Whatever they have in their heads, I don't think it will come out now but through their hands.
30 November 1905PORTIONS OF THE DAMAGED DIARY OF JOANNA WOZNIAK, AS RECOVERED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF ERIE, PA, ON THE EVENING OF MAY 28, 1974.Brandon and Marilyn came last night to bring food and check on Abe and I. Marilyn expressed concern about the community back home, says the river is getting worse and tensions are rising. Fishermen haven't caught anything edible in days. The Reverend compared it to the plague of blood in the Nile, Marilyn fears men will come looking for us. She had me sore afraid, but I told her there was nowhere else for Abe in his condition. I told them how he seemed to do better when I could bring him to the creek out back, but it was a small comfort and I can't do it anymore. They were staying the night, so Brandon offered to carry Abe to-day so we could travel to the Monongahela and see if that works better. Abe seemed hopeful.
We set out at first light in their carriage. Brandon carried him down into the water, and I went along to comfort Abe while Marilyn tended the lunch and towels. When we entered the river, two lumps of water formed and stood upright and greeted us! Brandon dropped Abe and fell backward toward the shore, then ran to Marilyn. I was terrified, but took courage and tried to hold Abe while introducing ourselves. They knew him, called him Aaboukingon, said he was their brother from the next leg of the river. They saw me trying to hold Abe's head above water and stated that his nature as a spirit will not let him drown. I stayed cautious all the same. The water circled round Abe and I, it felt like it was trying to squeeze us, but it never hurt. Abe regained all his color and strength and stood on top of the water itself. I heard Brandon and Marilyn muttering on shore. The river spirits and Abe spoke for a time in a language I could not understand--Abe told me at home it was the tongue of his people, I did not ask whether he meant spirits or the Indians--before addressing me again. The spirits told me that Abe and his river would be okay for a time, but he needs to return or he will die. They then left. We had a quiet lunch on shore. It was a lovely day for a picnic. Marilyn and I talked while the men tended to the horses, and she expressed concern about Abe really being a pagan spirit. She encouraged me to let him return to his river, as it seemed best for both of us. After we returned home and they left, with one more urging from Marilyn for me to let Abe go and come home, Abe determined to stay with me and assured that the spirits were overeager. He believes he will be fine if we visit the river frequently. 29 November 1905Recovered from the logs of the riverboat HastingsFoul smell from the river again today, many dead fish. Old Tom insisted the entire community is cursed because of some red man. He brought around a reverend to bless the boat and say a prayer for the river. We humored him, it certainly don't hurt, but I grow concerned about his obsession with this man; reminded him not to do anything brash. He waved me off.
Current was slow. 21 November 1905Excerpt from the daily records of Dr. Harold Price, of Allegheny City, PennA.Old Tom joined Reverend Halzberg and I on our Tuesday brunch. Tom reports that the river had a burst of dead fish this morning and fears the waters are cursed. He says the crew of the Hastings have reason to believe something was called from the water shortly before the savage arrived.
Concerned for the fate of the river, we collected a few more fishermen and made for the Wozniak estate. Viktor was welcoming, and heard our case for sending the boy away, but informed us that Joanna was in the City to-day and assured us that he had already seen to it that the savage was far from Allegheny. When pressed, he confessed that he had given the boy a parcel of land to live on! We informed him that such sacrifices to a dark spirit would surely doom us all, but he was insistent it was the only option he had. We left feeling that we would get no resolution from the Wozniaks without more pressure, and spent the after-noon gathering supporters and posting flyers. We shall see their estate fall before we allow this curse to consume our city. It is hereby recognized by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that Viktor Wozniak, of the City of Allegheny, being of sound mind and body, has delivered the ownership and all rights thereof related to the property located on Lot 87, in the Borough of Madison, to the gentleman called Aaboukingon. Please find included the property deed and all necessary paperwork for the legal transfer of ownership.
Signed in the presence of Robert Norris, Notary Public, this 13th day of November, in the year of our Lord 1905. 4 NOvember 1905Marilyn,
I must confess, the rumor you ask about is somewhat true. Yesterday, on my afternoon walk, I did come upon a Red man who seemed in grave distress. He was lost, in borrowed clothes, confused about where and who he was, though the report that he smelled of liquor is entirely false. I’ve never seen a man more lucid, which made his questions all the more peculiar. He said that he remembered nothing before crawling out of the River some two days prior, save the ringing of a bell, though he seemed to expect his people to be here and not the city. I do not know what wild people are his, and neither does he. He introduced himself as Aaboukingon, which I found difficult to manage and solicited his permission to call him Abe for a time. When it became clear that he was an honest man in a dangerous state, I brought him to the estate where he was given fresh clothes and a room in an outer house. As I write, he is in the back, staring at the trees as though he expects something of them. I have arranged for a journey into Pittsburg today to find any knowledge about him or his people as can be had. I should like your dear Brandon to meet him, as he deals so much with the Indians of these parts. Perhaps we can welcome you both for dinner this week-end? Do reply quickly, you know how mother hates unexpected guests. She is troubled enough by Abe, I would not have her turn against you, of all people. Sincerely, Joanna 1 November 1905Recovered from the logs of the riverboat HastingsManfred delivered his bell today. Silver, etched with beautiful pattern and symbols. I asked him if the symbols had to do with those books he’s been reading, he assured they don’t mean nothing. Gave it a test on the Allegheny, above and below Pittsburg. Sound insufficient for our needs, promised M to ask our nicer boat if they need something pretty. I hope they decline. Could swear something was stirring in the water when it was a-ringing. |
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