Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-12-11
AFTER DEATH,

THE SPIRIT OF DEAD ENGINEER UNEASY
LoAFs ARoUNDTH TRACK AND INTERPRETERS
WITH BUSINESS.
From the st. Paul Pioneer. October c5.
Our readers will remember the terrible acci-
dent which took place in binding snow storm
at Randall's station, on the St. Paul 4 Pacific
road in March last. which caused the death Of
several persons. Among the victims of that
terrible accident was a section foreman named
Connolly. This man was very much attached
TO his division, and took great pride in keeping
everything right and tidy, a, far as his super
vision extended. Although his station was
lcc,ted at that time in sparsely settled section
Of the country--on treeless waste, SO to speak
where especially there was nothing to break
the bleak prairies with the force of a hurricane,
yet 40 great was Connelly's attachment to this
section that he refused several more lucrative
portions that were offered to him.
Upon his death by the accident above referred
to, the Randall station was given to another
man whose name is Connolly. The latter has
been employed on the road for long time. and
known to be sober, industrious and intelligent
man, one in whose fidelity, the company has
the most implicit confidence, and the last man
that any one who knows him, would suspect of
perstitious notions. For some time after asslm-
ing charge Of the division everything run along
satisfactorily. This state of things was not to
last, however, for some time past Mr.. Connolly
has complained that he could not sleep nights.
He AYERS that he is visited at all hours Of the
night by the appariton of his dead predecessor.
The ghostly form appears at his beside, and
vainly endeavors to tell histale by unearthly
motions, at times apparently entreating, and
Al, 81
venge. Several times Mr.. Connolly has been
thrown from his bed with great violence, and
his arms and other portions of his body show
the marks of rough handling. The imprint of
hands and finger nails are plainly yisble,which
he asserts have been left there by his ghostlv
visitor. To such an extent has this most mys-
terious visitation been carried on that Mr.. Con.
nelly has petitioned to be removed to another
section, or granted permission to erect another
house on different portion Of the section. He
says it is not only these visilations which DIS
turb him, but the spirit Of the dead man prevents
HIM from performing his duties both by day
and night. He has seen the awful spectacle in
the day time, while at his labors, and the shadow
form has, by unmistakable motions, ordered him
away.
For long time Mr. Connolly refrained from
mentioning anything about these mysterious
appearances, knowing that he would not be be-
lleved, and in all probability would be laughed
at, and it is probable he never would have men.
toned but for an occurrence which took place
a short time ago.
One evening, after the labors of the day
had closed, and as Mr.. Connolly and the men
under his charge were eating their supper, the
dOol of the house opened noiselessy, and in
the doorway, In the full gaze OF all who were
present, stood the awful appariton OF the dead
man. The shadow remained long enough to
make anumberof demonstrations of a revenge
full character, and then disappeared, appa-
rently melting into space. An awful feeling
of terror fell upon that small party OF men,
and for thine they we're EazaS
with horror. They were not men easily
frightened, and some of them had looked
death in the face without tlinching. Bnt this
unearthly supernatural visitation, which was
recognized at once by, al! as the spirit Of the
man they had all we'll known while living, |
was more than they could stand
When their momentary terror had subsided |
they commenced in aWe-strcken tones to tell |
each other what they had seen. 1t was then |
that Mr.. Connolly related his experience, and
1t is needless to say he was not laughed at or
disbe.ieved. The sight had been TOO real and
too palpabie to all to admit of dispute. They
had seen the vertitable ghost OF their former
fellow workman. Since that time there have
been many mysterious occurrences taking
tools which have been known to have been
put away, are missing, and various other
things have taken place to hinder Ar Connolly
and his crew from performing their work
Nor 10 this Rll. The engineer on one OF the
freight trains AYERS that he has seen the appi-
ration In the night engaged at work upon the
track the same as when the dead man was
living. At one time it will be engaged with
q cr0w-bAr raising the rails, and making
motions as though giving directions to a gang
of men.
Again, he has seen it standing upon the
track In advance Of the engine with both arms
out as II to give warning Of danger
ahead. and the engineer says at such times
the engine acts rs II pl0win2 its way through
drifting snow, and although he pulls his
engine ''wide open" the speed Of the engine
is sensibly decreased until 1t reaches . certain
point, when It will plunge ahead as though
relieved from some distractions.
We understand that these most mysterious
doinRs haye been reported to the 0ficials, but
they, of course, are inclined to doubt the
truth of the statements, but 80 serious has the
matter become that steps have been takan to
have some Of the employers Of the road to stay
at the statiOnh0use number OF nlghts, and
have the matter thoroughly investigated.
The above iB . statement OF facte, Wntch
come 20 rs well authenticated, and we give
them ss one OF the most singular stories We
ever remember Of hearing. should any more
facts be developed, after thorough lnyesti- T,
aatin1 AZ tha matter. VA ahan .hasren n lnY u