Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-11-13

Uhiiu1hS SHOW SGOfu az Randall Sta
tion, on the main line of the S. Pau
and Pacific Road, in March last, which
caused the death of several persons
Among the victims Of that terrible ac
cldeht Was q section foremen named
Connolly. This ffiah vas very mucl
attached to his division, Hnd took
great pride i'll keeping everything right
and tidy, as far as his supervision ex-
tended. Although his station was To-
, Gated, at that time, in a sparsely set
tied section OF the country-on tree
less waste, SO to speak, where especial
ly there was nothing. to break the force
of the wind which at tihfes swept over
the bleak prairies with the force of a
hurricane, yet so great was Connolly y's
attachment to his section that he re,
fused several more lucrative positions
, which were offered to him.
, THE DEAD MANS SUCCESSOR.
Upon his death by the accident above
referred to, the Randall Station was
gwen to another man, whose nafne is
Connolly. The latter has been en-
ployed on the road for long time, and
is kfi5wn TO be sober, industrious.
and intelligent man, ttse in whose fideli-
ty the company has the most implicit
confidence, and the last man, almost,
that any one who knows him would
suspect of being tinctured in the slight
est degree with superstitious notions.
For sHrne time after assuming charge of
the division evefYthing went 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
kppARITIoN OF HIS DEAD PREDEoEssoR
The ghostfy form appears at his bed.
side, and valnly endeavors to tell q tale
by unearthly motions, at times apparent
ly entreating and anon with every ap-
pearance of anger and revenge. Sev-
eral times Mr.. Connolly has been
thrown from his bed with great vio-
iefice3 and his arms and other portions
OF his body show the marks of rough
handling The imprint ef hand and
finger nails are plainly visible, which
he asserts have been left there bv his
ghostly visitor. To such an extent has
this most mysterious visitation been
earned; that Mr.. Connolly has petit
toned to bb removed to another sec
ton, or granted permission to erect
another house or different portion of
| the section. He says it is not cnly
these visitations which disturb him,
| but
THE SPIRIT OF THE DEAD MAN
prevents him from performing his du-
/ tiSs, both day and night. He has seen
/ the awaftil spectacle in the daytime
while at his labors, ard tbs shadowv
| form has, by unmistakable 1tiGtiGus,or-
dered him away.
For a long time Mr.. Connolly re-
| Trained from mentioning anything
about these mysterious appearances,
knowing that hewould not be believed,
and in all probability would be laugh
ed at, but for an occurrence which took
place short time ago.
| One evening as the labors of the day
had closed, and Mr. Connolly and the
men under his charge were eating their
suppgf, tbs door Of the house opened
noislessly, and in The doorway, Ill the
full gaze of all who were pfesert,
STOOD THE AWFUL APPARITIoN
of tie, dead man. The shadow re-
mained long enough to make q
number of demonstrations of re-
f. vengeful character, and tlIefi alsap
peared; apparently melting into space.
An awful feeling of terror fell upon
that small party of met, and for time
they were speechless, gazing Into each
others faces with eyes distended with
horror. They were not men easily
frightened, and sGfne of them had
looked death in the face without finch
ing. But this
UNEARTHLY SUPERNATURAL VISITATION
which was recognized at once by all as
the spirit of the man they had all well
known while living, was more than
they could stand. When their moment
ary terror had subsidized they commenc-
ed in awe-stricken tones to tell each
other what they had seen. 1t was then
that Mr.. Connolly related his expe'
riencc, and it is needless to say he was
not laughed at or disbelieved. The
sight had been too real and too paipa-
bic to all to admit Of dispute. They
had seen the veritable ghost OF their
former fellow workman.
Since that time they have been
MANY MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCES
taking place at that lonely station on
the prairie. Several tools, which ere
known TO have been put away, are
missing, and various other things nave
taken place to hinder Mr. Connolly and
his crew of men from performing their
work.
Nor is this all. The engineer on one
of the freight trains AYERS thai several
times he has seen the apparltlon Ill the
night engaged to work upon the track,
the same as when the dead man was
living. At one time it will be engaged
with crowbar, raising the rails, ana
making motions as though giving dlfec-
tions to gang of men.
| DANGER-UN SNOW.
Acain he has seen it standing upon
the track in advance OF his engine, WIN
| both arms stretched out as II to give
warning of danger ahead, and the en-
gineer saws that at such times his en-
| gine acts as if plowing its way through
| drifting snow, and although he pulls
his engine " wide open,' the speed OF
the train is sensibly decreased until 1t
reaches a certain point when 1T Will
plunge ahead as though just relieved
! from some obstruction.
OFFICIALS OF THE ROAD NOTIFIED.
We understand that these most mys-
terious doings have been reported to
the officials, but they, OF course, are
/ inclined to doubt the truth of the state
ments; but so serious has the matter
become that steps have been taken to
have some of the employees of the road
| stay at the station house a number OF
nights, and have the matter thoroughly
investigated.
The above is statement Of facts,
which come to us well authenticated,
and we give them as one OF the most
singular stories we ever remember OF
| hearing. Should any more facts be
developed after thorough investiga-
ton of the matter we shall hasten to
! lay them before our readers.