Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-06-07

road on the brink of the Piattekill, at the
bottom OF a steep hill at least $50 feet below
the level Of the road, and in a thicket Of
hemlock where the footsteps OF men seldom
stray. The poor beast beyond doubt. was
there starved. The end Of a rope as thick
as a common halter, wherewith he had been
tied by the neck TO a chestnut sappllng still
remains fastened TO il, every tree and bush
within his reach has been stripped OF It's
bark, and even Of part Of the wood, on the
side towards him, in the agony of hunger
and thirst; and, by incessant paving at the
foot Of the saPplng, he bad dug a hole large
enough TO bury himself Ii is evident that,
after great suffering, the rope (Which seems
10 have been a new and strong one) finally
broke, and falling backward upon a level
spot still nearer the brook, he had there also
been unable 10 rise, subsisted for a while on
the bark Of the trees. As well as can be
judged from a few brittle hairs on his name
or his tail, his color was that of a chestnut
sorrei or dark bay. The bones indicate
strength or height, and what horsemen call a
Roman nose He was shod all round, and
probably had not travelled far upon his
shoes.
The headstall Of the bride, which has
been carefully examined, is of russell leather,
with two small roses Of the same material
fashionable make; gilt buckles. aud a nose
piece-it does not appear 10 have Teen used
very long. The bit and reins, still undiscov
cred, 1t is plain to be seen, were cut from the
beadstall with a knife just where they are
connected at the corners OF the horses
mouth The saddle is about half worn,
with "a high back aud low retiring pem,nel,
and has no crupper nor cloth. The stirrups
n 80 sfrppu and baayy hrpa.tar fhan ANN
but the plate once upoa them has nearly dis
appeared. There is no card nor mark where
by the maker Of The saddle might be ascer-
tanned. Ii an opinion may be formed from
impressions on the seat it has been mostly
used by an individual OF slender frame. Two
openings, rudeiy cut. appear in front for
straps TO tasten a vaiIce across the pommel;
of these straps, OF black leather with a
small plated buckle, has been found.
Taking these circumstances into conside-
ration, it is feared that a foul deed has been
lone in this wood, near tie highway. Ira
thief. having stolen a horse, had only been
intent upon conceaiing him IN the thicket to
escape detection, instead of cutting apart
from the beadstall the bit and reies, it is
most likely that he would have bound him
with them more securely to the sappling, in
to the rope Besides, without snp-
posing that a crime more atrocious than
was committed, it is difficult
TO account in a rational way for the discoye
ry of the cloak, the collar cut of and ripped
open, the headstaR of the bride; the saddle,
in a brook at a distance from the horse and
separate from the broken girth. The soIta-
ry secluded spot where the skeleton lies,
seems best fitted Of any around for hiding
these articles, together with the horse, il that
had been The sole object. The value OF the
bridie might tempt the cupIdity Of the per-
petrator or perpetrators; but why first render
il useless by eating of the headstall and then
take away only the bit and reins? 10 its per-
feet state, it might be carried along with as
little inconvenience; be used when occasion
required; and bring a higher price titan the
bit and reins alone when offered for sale.
The conjecture, founded upon these and
other obvious differences. is, that a stranger,
travelling after sunset, has been robbed and
MURDERED on or near The road; that his
horse was hid 10 prevent suspicion; that his
cloak, saddle, and the headsiall OF bis bri-
die, were scattered in the neighbourhood of
the bloody scene to mislead enquiry; and
that his corpse had been sunk in the Wal
kill with a weight attached 10 it by the means
Of the bit and reIns.
In confederation OF this conjecture, seve
raj individuals living not far of distinctly re
member cries of distress, which gradually
became fainter, and fainter, IN the direction
oil the spot where The skeleton lies, on a dark
night in the month Of June last. between .
and 9 O'Clock. One OF them, nearest the
wood repeatedly answered the cry, appre-
bending that a wagon had upset or other
more serious accident had happened, tiil a
voice roughly babe him hold his id jaw
He waited some time in front oil the house,
which adjoins the road, TO find out If possi-
Bile the cause of the alarm, at last two men
passed RAPIDLY Oh foot, who made no reply
when asked why they had made such a
noise. II was too dark to discern their per
sonaI appearance, or the color Of their dress.
A day or two after. a couple of young men
II work in a new field not more than fifty
Yards from the hemloek thickct, distinctly
heard the paving Of a horse; but being just
then called home to dinner, and suspeciing
from the sound that il was farther off upon
the premises OF a farmer hard by, they paid
no more attention to II.
These are all the particulars which have
as vet been asctrtained, and we sincerely
hone thew may contribute to a full develope-
ment OF the probable disaster. The heart
less malefactnr or malefactors deserve to he
punished ten years in the state prison Tor
starving the horse.
"A Cvrios;ty The Petersburg IntellIgen-
Ger says.-Numerous evidences have left no
doubt that The new world was visited by the
ancients some centuries before its discovery
nv Columbus Without referring to the tenn