Welcome to Mysteries over Martinis! This blog is a mix of unexplained phenomena and personal encounters served up with a mystery-themed cocktail. It’s a recipe for intrigue!

 

Red, White and Blue Martini

Ingredients:

2 oz Hypnotiq

1 oz Citrus Vodka

Lemon-lime soda

Grenadine

Combine the first two ingredients and a splash of soda into a shaker. Shake with ice and strain into your martini glass. Carefully pour in a small amount of grenadine. This should fall to the bottom of the glass, creating a nice layered effect. Add a white garnish such as shaved coconut or white chocolate.

 

Phantom Funeral Set for July 4th

The Midwest’s most mysterious funeral procession is scheduled to occur this year on Friday, July 4^th in Prairie du Rocher, IL. However, this ceremonial walk is not for someone who has recently departed. In this case, the deceased and the mourners have all been gone for more than 2 centuries.

The legend began on a hot night on July 4^th, 1889. It was nearly midnight in the small town of Prairie du Rocher. Mrs. Chris and her neighbor were sitting on the front porch of the Chris home enjoying the summer breeze. As the women engaged in conversation, one of the women noticed what appeared to be several wagons and a large group of people walking down the road from the direction of Fort de Chartres. The women watched in bewilderment as more wagons followed by carriages rolled into view. Numerous men and women loomed behind the procession. The moonlight illuminated the dust being kicked up by the horses and wagon wheels. The women wondered what could possibly be the reason for such an event, when suddenly they saw a flat wagon adorned with a casket. It was being escorted by 13 pairs of soldiers riding horseback. The women continued to watch as numerous mourners accompanied the nearly 40 wagons.

Mrs. Chris wondered why someone would hold a funeral so late at night. Then, she realized that the hour wasn’t the only strange thing about the procession. There was no sound. The horses trotted along the dirt road and the wheels spun over the hard earth, yet there was silence. The mourners appeared to be speaking to one another, but no voices carried. The rustling of leaves dancing in the wind was the only sound to be heard. That was, until the Chris’ dog began to bark relentlessly. He, too, seemed to be alarmed by the silent specter. His continued cries awakened the neighbor woman’s husband. He peered out the window searching for the source of the dog’s apprehension. He was shocked to bear witness to the spectacular succession.

The women watched as the procession disappeared down the road which leads to a cemetery on the outskirts of town. They waited up to watch the midnight marchers return but they never did. The next morning, the neighbor woman’s husband shared what he had seen outside the window. She shared her experience as well. They asked others in the community about the late night funeral but no one else had witnessed it and no one seemed to know anything about it.

Many years later, Mrs. Chris discovered what may have been the explanation for the bizarre spectacle. The story goes that when the British troops were taking possession of Fort Chartres in 1765, a French officer and a British officer had a misunderstanding regarding a young lady. The argument escalated and the officers drew their swords to settle the matter. The British officer was killed and the French officer retreated to the river to escape the authorities. In an effort to keep the two factions from becoming hostile toward one another, the incident was kept quiet and the officer was buried at midnight.

It seems Mrs. Chris and her neighbors were witnessing the residual energy from an event that occurred 124 years prior. Others had claimed to see the phantom funeral playing between the hours of 11pm and midnight, but only on the years when the 4^th of July fell on a Friday.

Many ghost hunters and curious on-lookers congregate in Prairie du Rocher when the 4^th of July falls on a Friday in hopes of catching a glimpse of the apparition. In 1997, the road was littered with people searching for the procession but no one claims to have seen it. According to Troy Taylor, author of “Haunted Illinois,” a staff member at Fort Chartres reported something strange. He said that at the stroke of midnight, coyotes began to howl in unison. He said it only lasted a couple minutes but it seemed out of the ordinary. Is it possible the coyotes could sense a disturbance in the atmosphere much like the dog of Mrs. Chris’ neighbors?

I love a good ghost story and I thought this seemed appropriate with this year’s 4^th of July falling on a Friday. I believe there is a shred of truth to all tales so I like to do a little research to get a feel for the credibility. In regards to this supernatural story, I discovered that the British did in fact occupy the fort in 1765. The duel between two soldiers remains to be seen but is not out of the realm of possibilities. However, July 4^th, 1889 was actually a Thursday and not a Friday. Perhaps that is why the eyewitness reports have been sketchy at best. If you’re feeling adventurous, this is the year to make your way to Prairie du Rocher, IL for an opportunity to walk amongst the dead.

Thanks for stopping by Mysteries over Martinis! I wish you and your family a very Happy Independence Day!

As always, I invite you to post your comments, questions, or personal encounters. Anything weird is always welcome!