Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-11-16
A Ghost story.

ron county, tells story, which goes 10 snow 'ha'
ghosts can sd, ca, now -days as well asln former
times. Ii seems that some three years ago man
named GAMBLE, a cooper by trade, who lived In
Wetzel county. came into the possession OF two OF
three hundred dollars, and after drinking freely al
! New Niartnsville, started home, across Fishing
creek, in company with one LABAN MERCER
When last seen, he was in the act OF crossing me
ream in skilf, and MERCER was going oil IN
another direction. He never reached home, how
ever; the skiff was found few hundred yards
down the creek, but CANDLES body was not dis
covered till seven months aiterward. MERCER
was immediately suspected Of foul play, but &C
counted for his conduct Satisfactorily that no e
gal investigation was made, and The public settled
down into the conviction that the unfortunate man
was drowned.
! And now comes the supernatural part of tie
story. A few weeks ago, MIR. JOHN HIsDMAN,
landlord of the Wetzel House, at New Martins
vile, was returning from corn husking about
one or two o'clock in the morning, by moonlight
As he was passing through afeld, strange ghost
like being suddenly accosted him saying, ''Sir
you do not know me? ?" ''No sir replied HIND
MAN, Il do not" Then" said the appsrition,
Il am GAMBLE, who was murdered by LABAN
MERCER about three years ago and want you
to have him arrested, and justice shall be done
him" HINDMAN was naturally very much a
larmed He hasted home, and communicated
] Il i'm
mediatey apprehended, and after preliminary
trial by several Justices, was committed for exam
ination before the County Court, on the 9th In
slant. The evidence Of the CHEST, II seems, was
not admitted, but circumstances making strongly
against the accused were brought to light and de-
tailed. The community Of New Martlnsvllle Is
said to be in state of intense excitement.
The beliefin supernatural appearances has
fast hold on the minds Of men, rldlcule 1t as we
may and unless deeper sense of religion Is I'M
planted in its stead, we believe that injury would
result from It's eradication. 1t is often powerful
means of restraining the vicious, and OF detecting
the guilty. In this case, the probability IS that
Mr.. HINDMAN either had the nightmare or was
the victim of some practical joker, But be that
as it may, if the good people of Wetzel had not
to some extent believed in ghost stories, the mur-
derer of GAMBLE might have entirely escaped
punishment 1t is to be hoped, however, that
when the final trial comes on superstition sill not
usurp the place of legal evidence.
Secretary OF the Agricultural Society.
The Richmond Examiner and other city papers
having complained of the appointment Of Mr. f.
G. RuEFIN, of Albemarle, as Secretary of the
Virginia Agricultural Society, instead of Gen.
RICHARDSON, the General has published letter
on the subject which is as creditable TO him as 1t
is complimentary to Mr.. RuFFIN. He says:
"Mr. +. G. Ruffin, late Corresponding Secre
tary, received the appointment mem con; and
better, as all must admit, could not have been
made.
81 do not deny that it would have been accep-
table to me- but did not ask or seek 1t; nor So
far as know, did Mr.. Rufin. Nndeed his words
and whole bearing before the committee, when ne
was nominated, forbid the suspicion that no had
done SOY Neither would have permitted my
name to be used in opposition 10 him, or to Mr.
Williams had that gentleman been put in nomina-
ton.
oMr. Ruffin, let it be understood, ie Editor of
the Southern Planter, and has raised i, to stan
dard at least Of equality, with the beat agrlcultn-
raj journals in the cJnntry. That paper is the
vehicle of publication for all the papers OF the so
ciety-consideration which seem all to have some
bearing upon the appointment, and may be sup
posed to have had weight with the committee.
The personal relations between Mr.. kuiiln
81
will ever be, Of the most friendly character; and
am happy here to acknowledge myself Indebted
to him for the most generous, disinteresed and
fearless defence Of me, upon late trying occasion
| (potical) that one man ever inase OF another
s"The Society has at last succeeded, beyondthe
most ssnpuine expectations oft best friends
The great battle of the cause ofagricultural I'M
provement in old Virginia has been fought and
won. lis course in its appropriate career OF use
fulness, will hereafter be onward and upward
Let US not impede that course Of usefulness, or
disturb the harmony of the Society for one mo-
ment because or may not have received some
of the very little patronage it has to bestow"
Of the eminent qualifications of Mr.. RUrFIN for
the office, no one entertains doubt and the only
objection alledged against his appointment ls, that
he does not reside in Richmond The Charlotes-
vile Advocate informs us, however, that he has
madesuch arrangements as will ensure the prompt
and faithful discharge of the duties of his office.
The Sandwich Islands.
The recent news from the Sandwich Islands is
highly important. The Ministry have resigned,
and e. II. ALLEN late United States Consul, has
been appointed Minister of Finance in place of
DR.. JuDD, for whose removal largo number Of
the people had petitoned the King. This change
of administration is regarded as decided step to-
wards the annexation of the islands 10 the United
States. The British and French Consus, so
viewing it, addressed to the King protest against
annexation, alleging that he is bound by treaty
stipulations with their Governments not to ALLEVIATE
his sovereignty and the independence of the is
lands The Government communicated this por-
test to Mr.. SEVERANCE, the American Commits
sion, who replied to it at length. He denies that
there are any such obligations forbddng the union,
and says:
The e1pediency ofunion with the United States
| do not propose to consider at present, for have
no authority to say that the United States will
consent to any terms that may be offered yet
have no doubt if they shall be offered they will be
frankly received and duly considered but no SIN
lister means of accomplishing the object, however
desirable, will receive any favor from the United
States"
Messrs. CLARK and GEELIcK, missionaries,
! 1 oorJ 3ba Drotos