The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1868-12-25

Nv 81, H1nin. ~ lRe
We fluid tho following remarkable and
startling story in the Lynchburgh Re-
publican. Itsccms improbable, though
the belief has prevailed for some time
that East Tennessee was not the only
section where heavy business IN
brimcstonc was being done: s"rT'''t
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA,
December IL, 1868.
1t becomes my duty to chronicle a
most singular and extraordinary series
of nocturnal visitations, on the part of
some ghostly apparation, to the farm of
one whom shall call Silas Brown, Esq,
pcaceablc and intelligent citizen of this
county. Mr.. Brown lives in what is
known as the forest of Prince William,
near the village of Independent Hill,
and his residence is completely SUR
rounded with the growth indigenous to
that section of country. ..t..
For the past few weeks visions of an
alarming character have been seen in
the neighbOring forest, but more par
ticularly in the copse adjacent to Mr..
Browns barn aud stable. At numbers
of times has an immense figure been
seen passing to and fro near the barn,
with large horns and terrible claws,
which it contracts to u sort OF hoof, and
has assaulted Mr.. Brown, when he at
tempted after dark to feed his horses
and stock, in such Il manner and with
such violence that he has been compel
led to flee to his house for safety. The
figure, to the best of Mr.. Browns recol-
| haitian snnunI o1,n,,f thrnn ts,,o, q
large as Il man in its front. and having a
back convcrging from its neck and
shoulders horizontally to the distance
of some six or eight feet, and supplied
on each side with huge and tremendous
arms. 1t is of II pale BLUSH color when
first seen, but upon being irritated by
the near approach of any person be.
comes a deadly white, and issues from
its surface small volume of smoke, ac'
companied with sickcning smell. This
ghoul or unnatural and horrible ANNA
or demon, has been seen as often as -four
times near Mr.. Browns stable; ant
when seen, it has fingered till its dead
ly atliuvia has completely impregnated
the surrounding atmosphere. One even
ing Mr.. Brown, desiring to have another
beside himself see this terrible visitant
induced II courageous gentleman whom
| shall call Sigcr, who happened will
his wife to spend the evening at Mr.
Browns, to go to the stable to feed hi
horses. Mr.. Sigcr. not believing tb,
story, went without hesitation, when
upon entering the stable, he was alarm
ed by the fall at or near his feet, with
deep rumblimg sound, Of u tremendou
) stone. Mr.. Sigcr. without looking I,
see whence the rock came. picked tn,
stone up, and it was so hot lie was com
PEELED to drop it. Upon looking up h
: bchcld the unearthly monster not owe
fifty yards from him, and the air becam
, quickly filed and innoculatcd witt
} rhinestone! Not wishing to be though
coward, he did not mention any thin
5 of this at the house; but upon walkin,
home with his wife the same night h
f told her. of what had happened ut tn
stable, and instantly she became alarm
ed, and was carried home in a state q
apparent inscnsibility.
The ncighborllood is in terrible stat
: of excitement, and steps have bee
taken to investigate this frightcnin
= matter.
= by your next issue it may be possibl
G that some clue can be gained to tn
identity and character of this hidcou
monster.