In the wake of our recent coverage of the infamous Chateaugay Conspiracy, The Chateaugay Record has received an unexpected and rather peculiar account from another figure claiming a role in our lake's colorful history. Captain Henry McPherson, current skipper of the steamboat Adirondack, has come forward with a tale that blurs the line between local legend and personal testimony.
Captain Henry McPherson aboard the Adirondack (Photo by E. Quillfeather)
What follows is Captain McPherson's account, transcribed as faithfully as possible from his own words, peppered with his distinctive Adirondack drawl:
"Aye, the mist clung to the Adirondack like a mourner's veil that day. Same day I, Henry McPherson, Captain of this fine vessel and finest beard in all the Adirondacks, decided to cleanse this lake of its varmints. Not the two-legged kind, though there's plenty of those too. No, I was on the hunt for somethin' far more sinister - whispers of the Wendigo Brotherhood pollutin' these waters with their dark magic."
Captain McPherson's tale weaves a complex tapestry of local lore, personal exploits, and supernatural intrigue. He speaks of a namesake - another Henry McPherson - who supposedly led a band of "steamboat pirates" that terrorized Chateaugay Lake in years past. According to our captain, this other McPherson and his crew made a dark pact with an entity they called the Wendigo, offering human sacrifices in exchange for power.
The captain's narrative takes on a decidedly eerie tone as he describes the atmosphere aboard the Adirondack:
"This here Adirondack, though, it fair crawled with restless spirits. Every creak and groan of the hull sounded like a mournful wail, and them shadows dancin' in the corners? Seemed to hold eyes that followed yer every move. But fear? Not a chance. Captain McPherson don't scare easy."
McPherson claims to have taken it upon himself to unravel the mystery and put an end to the supernatural menace plaguing the lake. His tale culminates in a confrontation with the "Wendigo Brotherhood" and the arrival of law enforcement to apprehend the culprits.
The Adirondack cutting through the morning mist on Chateaugay Lake (Archive photo)
While Captain McPherson's account is certainly captivating, it raises more questions than it answers. The existence of a "Wendigo Brotherhood" is not corroborated by any official records, and the captain's claim of a pirate namesake conflicts with our own historical archives.
Local historian Dr. Abigail Thornwood offers her perspective: "While elements of Captain McPherson's story align with some of our regional folklore, particularly the Wendigo legends of the Algonquin peoples, much of his account seems to be a colorful amalgamation of various local tales and perhaps some personal embellishment."
Interestingly, McPherson's story does share some similarities with the recently publicized "Ballad of Captain Egan," though the captain insists any resemblance is purely coincidental. "Them tales of Egan? Pure fancy, I tell ya. This here's the real story of Chateaugay Lake," he asserted when questioned about the parallels.
Whether Captain McPherson's tale is a product of an overactive imagination, a misremembered local legend, or contains kernels of a truth lost to time, it adds yet another layer to the rich tapestry of Chateaugay Lake's mystique.
The captain concluded his tale with a cryptic warning:
"The Wendigo, was it truly gone? Or just waitin' in the inky depths, hungry for its next offering? Yeah, the horrors of Chateaugay Lake, they seemed far from over. And me, Henry McPherson, the one and only, well, I reckon I'll be here, keepin' an eye out. Just in case."
While we at The Chateaugay Record cannot verify the supernatural elements of Captain McPherson's account, his story serves as a reminder of the power of oral tradition and the enduring allure of a good yarn. As always, we encourage our readers to approach such tales with a blend of wonder and skepticism, appreciating them for their entertainment value while maintaining a discerning eye for historical fact.
Captain McPherson continues to pilot the Adirondack across Chateaugay Lake, regaling passengers with his tales of pirates, Wendigos, and heroic deeds. Whether you believe his story or not, one thing is certain: a trip on the Adirondack promises to be anything but ordinary.