Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-11-16
A STRANGE STORY.

Since the story of the Cock Lane
Ghost. we have not heard or read Of any
thing in that line so strange Or wonderful
as the affair which lately transpired at
New Martinsville, in the neiehboriag
county Of Wetzcl. The following is a
mere outline of preliminary facts, after
stating which we will give an extract
from letter received from gentleman
resident at New Martinsvillc
1t appears that in or about three years
ago, certain man named Gamble. a
cooper, dwelt on the Ohio river bank
about two miles below the mouth of Fish.
ing creek. Having received some two or
three hundred dollars, he went to
New Martinsville, where he drank rather
freely. There, it appears, he had some
business to transact with various persons,
among the rest, with one I.aban Mercer.
Towards night, Mercer and Gamble pro-
cecded over the creek for the purpose of
going to their respective homes. They
were seen together at a late hour OH the
bank of the river, where Gamble had a
skitt' moored indeed, Gamble was seen
to get into the skiif and push off from the
shore, and Mercer was seen going in the
direction of his own home, some two or
three miles distant in different direction.
Gamble, however, never reached home
the Sklff was soon found few hundred
yards down stream, but the body of
Gamble was not discovered for seven
months afterwards. Rmor, at the time
Gamble na3 missed, pointed out Mercer
as guilty of foul play; but he accounted
for his conduct so satisfactorily, that no
investigation of the matter took place
and all sensible people concluded and,
indeed, it seemed probable cnough-that
the unfortunate cooper was drowned a;
and such was the general opinion until
about week since. Now VIC will give
the extract of the letter above alluded to:
New MARTINsvLLE, Nov. |, 1853.
Before | close this letter, [ must tell
you of most extraordinary circumstance
which lately occurred here You know
John Ilindman, the landlord Of the Wet
zcl House? Well, Mr. Hindman hap
pened to be a corn-husking, about two
weeks ago, away at Young's farm, at
Point Pleasant. On his return home.
about one or two o'clock III the morning,
as he was walking through a field on the
farm of Robert W. Cox, esq, on the Ohio
river bottom, not far from the mouth of
Fishing creek, he was suddenly accosted
by strange man, whom he had no
knowledge whatever Of. Sir" said the
stranger, ''you do not know me g = No,
sir" replied lIindman, L do not. -
" Then, y said the stranger, = am Gam
bic, who was murdered by Laban Mer-
Ger, about three years ago; and | want
you to have him arrested, and Justice
shall be done him." You will readily
believe that Mr.. Tindmanwas bewildered.
He was not acquainted with Gamble
never saw him. His sudden, ghost like
appearance before him, in which he saws
he could not be mistaken, as the night
vas moon-light,-and the terrible revcla-
ton made by the appaiition, ali conSpired
to fill Mr.. Hindman with fear and ircm-
bling. However, he reached home, and
after spending a night in great agony, he
told the occurrence next day to his friends
and the upshot was, that Mercer was
apprehcnded. On Saturday last he had
a preliminary trial in New MartinsviIle,
before three or four justices, and although
defended by two able NIessrs.
Horner and Lauck-thc accused was com
mittcd for examination before the County
Court, OH the Sth of this month.
need not add that our whole commu-
nifty is i'll the most intense state of excite,
ment on the subject, and they do really
make strong case against him, all o.
rOI1'Sp rIrcumS mStaOtIal