The Brown Mountain Lights

Mulderandscully · 06-14-2009, 05:55 PM

The Cherokee Indians were familiar with these lights as far back as the year 1200. According to Indian legend, a great battle was fought that year between the Cherokee and Catawba Indians near Brown Mountain. The Cherokees believed that the lights were the spirits of Indian maidens who went on searching through the centuries for their husbands and sweethearts who had died in the battle. Early frontiersman believed that the lights were the spirits of Cherokee and Catawba warriors slain in an ancient battle on the mountainside. Some say the lights are just a troop of candle-bearing ghosts destined to walk back and forth across the mountain forever.

Of the many scientific theories made to explain the Brown Mountain Lights, none have been proven. Some suggest that the lights are caused by a combination of several minerals and gases in the area. One geologist suggested that possibly deposits of radioactive uranium ore in the area may be responsible for producing the lights. Another suggests phosphorus, but this element oxidizes quickly and is not found here. Pitchblende Ore, from which radium is derived, has been mentioned, but the rays from radium are invisible.

Some scientists have advanced the theory that the lights are a mirage. Through some peculiar atmospheric condition they believe the glowing balls are reflections from Hickory, Lenoir, and other towns in the area. The only drawback to this theory is that the lights were clearly seen before the War between the States, long before electricity was used to produce light.

http://www.ibiblio.org/ghosts/bmtn.html

kidflash2008 · 06-15-2009, 10:47 AM

They still had lights at night before the Civil War as they were powered by natural gas or kerosene.

The phenomena could be caused by some other types of gases, or they could be spirits of the former Native inhabitants.

Mulderandscully · 06-15-2009, 12:17 PM

we are both cherokee and our grandparents always told us stories about it.

kidflash2008 · 06-16-2009, 10:05 AM

Considering the Cherokee were kicked out of the area by the whites, I can see why the spirits would be restless. An unjust act just for a little bit of gold.

Mulderandscully · 06-16-2009, 10:50 AM

and when they were allowed back they attained very little land back,,after being robbed,raped and murdered,,and all they got was im sorry from them.

kidflash2008 · 06-16-2009, 11:07 AM

They did not even get an "I'm Sorry". It is interesting that the Federal Government did the same thing to the Natives in the Dakotas. They gave them land along the Missouri River, and then they dammed the river up to flood the lands given to the Natives. I can hear the Government now: "Here is your land. By the way, can you swim? The land will be a lake after we dam up the river."

It is surprising how many people get upset when some tribes decide to build a casino.

06-14-2009, 05:55 PM	#1
Mulderandscully Investigator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: cherryville nc Posts: 237	The Brown Mountain Lights The Cherokee Indians were familiar with these lights as far back as the year 1200. According to Indian legend, a great battle was fought that year between the Cherokee and Catawba Indians near Brown Mountain. The Cherokees believed that the lights were the spirits of Indian maidens who went on searching through the centuries for their husbands and sweethearts who had died in the battle. Early frontiersman believed that the lights were the spirits of Cherokee and Catawba warriors slain in an ancient battle on the mountainside. Some say the lights are just a troop of candle-bearing ghosts destined to walk back and forth across the mountain forever. Of the many scientific theories made to explain the Brown Mountain Lights, none have been proven. Some suggest that the lights are caused by a combination of several minerals and gases in the area. One geologist suggested that possibly deposits of radioactive uranium ore in the area may be responsible for producing the lights. Another suggests phosphorus, but this element oxidizes quickly and is not found here. Pitchblende Ore, from which radium is derived, has been mentioned, but the rays from radium are invisible. Some scientists have advanced the theory that the lights are a mirage. Through some peculiar atmospheric condition they believe the glowing balls are reflections from Hickory, Lenoir, and other towns in the area. The only drawback to this theory is that the lights were clearly seen before the War between the States, long before electricity was used to produce light. http://www.ibiblio.org/ghosts/bmtn.html

06-15-2009, 12:17 PM	#3
Mulderandscully Investigator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: cherryville nc Posts: 237	we are both cherokee and our grandparents always told us stories about it. __________________

06-16-2009, 10:50 AM	#5
Mulderandscully Investigator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: cherryville nc Posts: 237	and when they were allowed back they attained very little land back,,after being robbed,raped and murdered,,and all they got was im sorry from them. __________________

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06-15-2009, 10:47 AM	#2
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	They still had lights at night before the Civil War as they were powered by natural gas or kerosene. The phenomena could be caused by some other types of gases, or they could be spirits of the former Native inhabitants.

06-16-2009, 10:05 AM	#4
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	Considering the Cherokee were kicked out of the area by the whites, I can see why the spirits would be restless. An unjust act just for a little bit of gold.

06-16-2009, 11:07 AM	#6
kidflash2008 Senior Investigator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,699	They did not even get an "I'm Sorry". It is interesting that the Federal Government did the same thing to the Natives in the Dakotas. They gave them land along the Missouri River, and then they dammed the river up to flood the lands given to the Natives. I can hear the Government now: "Here is your land. By the way, can you swim? The land will be a lake after we dam up the river." It is surprising how many people get upset when some tribes decide to build a casino.