Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-07-19
PARALLEL TO THE BENDER
FAMILY.

The recent revelations in regard to
the atrocious murders committed by the
Bender family in Kansas, will probably
recall to the minds Of some OF the older
citizens of Charleston similar series OF
murders that occurred near this city
more than a century ago. In that day,
travellers did not enjoy the facilities OF
railroad transportation, and IN conse-
auence there were many little wayslde
inns scattered along the public high.
wavs, some adjacent to the cities, and
Others more remote Such an inn was
kept a few miles from Charleston. Be
ing near the city, it was quite common
tor travellers, going or ieturning,to stop
for rest and refreshments. 1t was kept
by two people, man and his wife, who
were accounted to be honest and withal
yerv prosperous persons. Their hostel
rv was convenient to the travelling pub
lie, and therefore popular. Occasional
lv traveller would suddenly disappear
in very mysterious and unaccountable
manner, but no suspicious attached to
the hospitable innkeeper and his wife.
Matters went on thus for some time
the mysterious disappearance mean
while becoming more and more frequent.
Fathers, sons and brothers going to or
from Charleston would suddenly be mis-
sing, and no possible clew TO their
whereabouts could be obtained. Pub
lie excitement, as may be supposed,
wrought up to the highest pitch, until
finally there came q sudden and horrible
solution to the mystery.
One night-so tradition saith-a be
lated traveller, on his way to Charleston,
stopped at the inn. Sitting at the fire,
in the bar, slipping his toddy, it sudden.
" occurred to him that the actions OF
his host and hostess were somewhat pc
cular The fate of other travellers in
that section probably made his sense OF
danger more than usually acute, and he
resolved to be sharply on the alert. lie
was shown to his room by his obllglng
host, and when the steps of the latter
died away on the stair, he made a care
full inspection Of the surroundings. lie
discovered, among other things, that the
bed upon which he was expected to
sleep was ingeniously fitted in slides, to
the ground floor beneath. Other cir
cumstances convincing him that he was
In trap of some kind, he blew out his
light and patiently awaited develop
ments.
a little after midnight he heard steal
thy steps on the stairs, and he immedi-
ately put himself in position to defend
himself. The steps drew nearer and
nearer, and finally the door, which was
cuiltless of either lock or latch, was
cautiously opened, and the hospitable
host stepped in. The traveller telled
him with chair and made his escape to
the city, closely pursued by both man
and wife, who followed him nearly to
the city limits.
Information was at once conveyed to
the authorities, and guard was sent
out to the inn and the wretches arrest
ed. The investigation that followed re-
vealed a pit below the room i'll which
the traveller was to have rested. In the
pit were found the remains of all who
had so mysteriously disappeared. The
spectacle was most CHASTITY one, and
the revelation Of such ..atrocity created,
in that primitive day, a much more In
tense thrill of h orror all through the
country than the Bender butcherles,and
Justice was swift in overtaking the muir
derer and his accomplice.-Charieston
News and Courier.