Steamboat Pilot William Frances Sees the Letters 'GOD' Blazing in the Night Sky (Ohio River, 1843)

“He states that as the Penn wason her trip to this city, when between Rising Sun and Aurora, about 11 or 12 o’clock, P. M. he wee steering the boat along, it being a star bright night, excepting a few clouds in the west, low down, sky clear, when of a sudden a light burst forth, the whole face of the earth appearing to be lit up, which eo blinded him that it was with difficulty he could see any thing, even the most near object... Mr. Frances now being very anxious to discover whence this strange light came, looked dilligently out at the side of the pilot-house, in rather a south-west course, but nearly over head, when he saw the outlines of a Serpent in the sky, in a crooked position, except the tail which was straight, the head toward the cast. It turned to a livid bright red, deep and awful, and remained stationary in the stars. Mr. Frances watched it for two or three minutes, when the tail part disappeared nearly to the middie, and the remainder in a gradual manner formed into a distinct Roman G... After about oné minute and a half, he watching it and the boat alternately, it changed, turning into a distinct O... The Captain did not come immediately, but after a moment or two appeared, but ere this, the figure in the heavens had changed toa plain distinct letter D. — Times and Seasons 4:10”