This
is a small traditional roadside cache planted inside the public
area. The monument is a little bit further on and is available to
the public.
The
old folks are telling a lot of stories about this location. People
is small towns are normally very superstitious and are quick to
explain any unnatural incident and to add their understanding. This
is the story which was told to me and which some people still
believe is the truth.
This
is how it happened according to the legend. Somewhere in the past a
violent thunder and hail storm erupted on one of the farms near
Standerton. The farmer was furious when he saw his crops ready for
harvesting destroyed. Out of frustration and desperation he grabbed
his rifle and stormed to the outside. He allegedly cursed the
Creator and he started to discharge his rifle wildly, aiming at the
thunderclouds above him. The rifle was in his one hand and with the
other hand clenched in a fist raised high above his head he stood
there in the howling wind and hail. His wife and kids stood in the
doorway of their home; shouting at him to return. The kids were
frightened and were holding onto their mother screaming and
crying.
Then
it happened, a massive single bolt of lighting struck the farmer.
His wife stated afterwards he stood there in the middle of the
field glowing inside a white light. The wife and kids ran into the
home and stayed there until the storm has passed. This is the
legend as told for more than 100 years.
At
this location you will find a monument which explains the truth.
The farmer named Daniel Poklenberg Erasmus was a Christian which
happened to be at the wrong place. He was struck on 25 January 1884
and the monument marks the exact spot. Farmer Erasmus was 44 years
6 months and 22 days old when he was struck. His family erected
this monument during 1981 in an attempt to explain the truth and to
stop the legends and rumours that dishonoured him.
The
legend however has a strange twist in the tale. If you look very
carefully you will notice that there are two indents directly in
front of the monument. The legend is saying that this is where
farmer Erasmus was standing when he was struck. The legend is
saying that these marks will reappear if you rake the area. The
legend is also saying that no grass will ever grow in this area.
His family do not believe in this.
During
my visit I drove around in this area for some clues. I found a
dwelling about 1.8 kilometres away from the place where the farmer
was struck. I do not believe that the farmer stormed out of his
house and he ran into the fields for nearly 2 kilometres before he
was struck. At a distance of 2 kilometres it will not be possible
for his wife to see the incident. We will probably never know the
truth; it is possible that the legend will carry on. But to me this
was a very sad incident that took the life of farmer
Erasmus.
On
the other hand the grass is not growing at the indent …
Please
replace the cache as found and make sure that it is not visible.
Not many cachers will visit the cache and a very long time could
pass before the next visit.
First to find honours goes to GeoStormer. Congratulations and may
there be many more.
