The Columbus, Ohio Statesman newspaper had run a short article about a sixteen year old girl ' of considerable intelligence and prepossessing appearance', who had been taken into custody by the Sheriff of Ottawa County. Her agitated state necessitated that she be moved to the lunatic asylum. The conclusion drawn from this, and no doubt her utterances, implied that she had become deranged from viewing the aurora borealis a short time ago. She was convinced that all of this spectacular auroral activity meant that the world was soon to come to an end. [Harpers Weekly, October 8, 1859]
The Harper's Ferry Raid was October 16, 1859.