Contemporary Seneca Tales of the Supernatural
by: DuWayne Leslie Bowen
"What you are about to read is a result of my interest in the supernatural.� I have always been fascinated by stories of the supernatural.� I have listened to many people tell of personal experiences of supernatural happenings; I have read numerous books and accounts of supernatural phenomena.� I have gathered descriptions of all types of supernatural creatures and beings from little people to giants, lycanthropes to poltergeists, demons to angels and just strange acting folks.
I've looked at both sides of the supernatural, the serious side and the seldom-seen whimsical side.� However, the whimsical side is basically found in literature, both classical and contemporary. I truly enjoy conversing about the strange and ghostly adventures offered on the pages of literature.�� On the whimsical side of literature, we as readers can observe the hard-drinking sporting crew of the Half-Moon in Washington Irving's 'Rip Van Winkle.'� We can also smile at the antics of the vexatious ghosts, George and Marian Kirby in Thorne Smith's classic, 'Topper.'
Then we can look at the opposite end of the spectrum of supernatural literature to the stark true realities of Jay Anson's 'Amityville Horror'; William Peter Blatty's 'The Exorcist'', and Peter Straub's 'Ghost Story.'� Indeed, Peter Straub's classic inspired me to complete this manuscript.
In view of what I just stated, I also make this statement in regard to the serious side of the supernatural.� To me, the realm of the supernatural is very real, very serious, very deadly.� I respect it very much.� I do believe in all sincerity what is written in the Holy Scriptures in Ephesians 6:12 which states, 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.'
The reason I have written this manuscript is simply for the purpose of writing it.� I am a Seneca Indian; I reside on the Allegany Indian Reservation in New York State. The stories I have written are composites.� Over the years I have heard many stories which were basically the same.� Each storyteller told it a little bit differently.�In attempt to create a feeling, I have employed the colloquial language of my people, circa 1949-1952.� This is how I heard the stories.� I hope it is authentic.
I wish for the reader to imagine a Seneca storyteller.� He is a hard-working man with signs of advancing age on his face.�� He can still work the woodpile with the best of them.� Usually, he wears a red plaid flannel shirt with suspenders crossing down to his waistband.� He has on heavy workshoes.� It is eveningtime, and try to picture the season as being early Autumn.
Grandmother is busy shaving splints and grandfather sets himself down by the woodstove and adjusts the kerosene lamp.� He waits for us and we come to him and say, 'Gramps, tell us ghost stories.'� He would blow out a big puff of smoke and he would begin, '.....Now this happened one time....'
~Duce Bowen~
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