Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-11-23
A Guosr As IS A GHOST.

main line OF the 81 Paul anu racine
road, ia March last, which caused the
death of several persons. Among the
victims of that terrible accident was
section foreman named Connolly. This
man was very much attached TO his di-
vision, and took much pride in Keeping
everything right and tidy, as far as his
supervision extended. Although his
section was located at that time in
sparcely settled section of the country
on treeless waste, so TO speak, where
especially there was nothing to break
the force of the wind which at times
swept over the bleak prairies with the
force of hurricane, yet so great was
Connelly's attachment to his section that
he refused several more lucrative posi-
tons that were offered him.
Upon his death by the accidentabove
referred to, the Randall Station was
given 10 another man whose name Is
also Connolly The latter has been EN-
ploved on the road for a long time, and
is known to be sober, industrious and
intelligent man, one in whose hdellty
the company has the most implicit con
fdence, and the last man almost that
any one who knows him would suspect
o. being tinctured in the slightest degree
with supcrsttious notions. For some
time after assuming charge Of the divi-
sion everything went along satisfactory.
This state OF things was not To last,
however. For some time past MIR.
Connolly has complained that he could
not sleep at night lie AYERS that he Is
visited at all hours of the night by the
apparition Of his predecessor. Tho
ghostly form appears at his bedside,
and vainly endeavors 10 tell his tale by
uneartl,ly motions at times apparently
entrea,ing, and anon with every appear
ance of anger and revenge. Several
times Mr. Connolly has been thrown
from his bed with great violence, and
his arms and other portions of his bo'iy
show the marks of rough handling. The
imprint of hands and finger nails are
plainly visible which he asserts have
been left there by his ghostly visitor.
To such an extent has this mysterious
visitation been carried, that MIR. Con
nelly has been petioned TO be removed
to another section, or granted permls-
sion te erect another house on diiicr-
ent portion Of the section. He says it
is not only these yisitations which dis
turb him, but the spirit OF the dead
man prevents him from performing his
duties both day and night. He has
seen the awful spectacle in the day y-timo
while at his labors, aud the shadowy
form has, by unmistakable motions, or
dered him away.
For long time Mr.. Connolly refrain
ed from mentioning anything about these
mysterious appearances. knowing that
he would not be believed, and in all
probability would be laughed at, and II
is probable he never would have men
toned it but Tor an occurrence which
took place short time ago.
One evening after the labors of tho
dav had closed, and as Mr.. Connolly
and the men under his charge were seat
ed at the table eating their supper, tho
door of the house opened noiselessly,
and the doorway, in the full gaze, OF ali
who were present, stood the awful mp
partition of the dead man. The shadow
remained long enough to make num-
Der of demonstrations of "a. revengeful
character, and then disappeared, appa-
rently melting into space. An awful
feeling of terror fell upon the small par
ty of men, aud for n time they werc
speechlcss. gazing into each others
faces, with eyes distended with horror.
They were men not easily frightened,
and some of them had looked death in
the face without iiinching. But this
uncarthly supernatural visitation which
was at once recognized by them all rs
the spirit of the man they had all well
known while living, was more than
they could stand. When their momen-
tary terror had subsided, they commen-
ccd in awc-stricken tones 10 tel! each
other what they had seen. 1t was then
that Mr. Connolly reflected his expert.
ence, and i, is needless TO say that he
was not laughed at or disbclieyed. The
sight had been too real, and too palpa-
BILE to all to admit Of dispute. They had
seen the yertable ghost Of their former
fellow workman.
Since that time there have been many
mysterious occurrences taking place
at that lonely station OH the prairie.
Several tools, which are known 10 have
been put away, are missing, and various
other things have taken place to hinder
Mr.. Connolly and his men from perform
ing their work.
Nor is this all. The engineer on one
of the freight trains AYERS that several
times he has seen the appariiion 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 a crowbar raising the rails, and
making motions as though giving direc-
tions to a gang of men. Again he has
seen it standing upon the track in ad-
vance Of his engine, with both arms
stretched out as IL to give warning Of
danger ahead-and the engineer says at
such times bis engine acts as il p.osiog
its way through drifting snow,-and
although he pulls his engine "wide open"
the speed of the train is sensibly de-
creased until it reaches a certain point,
when it will plunge ahead ss though
just relieved from some obstruction.
We understand that these most nys-
terious doings have been reported to the