Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-08-01
A NIGHT OF TERROR.

Mrs. DIScOmD, SAID , one evening, TO Il
middle-aged lady with whom | was spend
ing an hour in pleasant conversation, 'you
appear to have met with many adventures in
your younger days. You relate a story so
well, that | never tire of listening to you
so, if there has been any thrilling episode
in your life that have not as yet heard,
should be pleased to have you narrate it,
and can assure you that Shall be a most
attentive listener"
81 am afraid you re great fattercr, Mr..
williamson" she replied. ''Ilowevcr,"
she added, IL will comply with your request,
for startling event rccurs to my mind at
this moment.
'.Twcnty years ago my husband was
dealer in jcwelry, and also in most articles
of great value. lie travelled almost nces-
sanity, and stopped but a short time in each
city or town. | could not bear to he parted
from him for months at Il time, 50 | always
accompanied him in his wapdcrings, and
endured many hardships and dangers for
the sake Of always being with him. There
We're not many railroads in those days; they
were like angels yisits-lew and far be-
tween
"Late in the Summcr of 1852, We were in
New Orleans; he had finished his business
there, and was ready to leave. On making
inquiries he found that there would be no
vessel for Savannah, our next stopping place,
till the end of the following month, 50 he
decided TO take the overland route.
"Woll, We got as far as Opelaka, Georgia,
without meeting with any very serious
annoyance or danger. Opelaka, at that
period, was little more than village, in
habited by half-brecd Indians, miserable,
treacherouS rascalS, and few whites, whose
general character was equally as bad. Every
two weeks ii stage left Opclnka for Griffin,
the terminus of the railroad from Savannah.
We got there in time for the stage, but,
through the stupid obstnacy Of my husband
we were left behind in that miserable place
lie had three trunks filled with valuable
goods, and the stage driver wanted ten dol
lars more than my husband had eyer paid
anybody else-that is, for an equal distance
for carrying them to Griffin.
"'George, give him what he asks, said,
rather than stay in this wrctchcd village for
weeks. If we remain here, We IL be murder
cd and robbed by those Misunderstanding
Indians
"Annie,' he replied. Il won't pay such
exorbitant charges to that scoundrcl; no. not
five have to stop in this place for month
by refusing to do So
"Wcll, as | said before, the stage left
without us, for the driver refused to take the
trunks for less than he demanded.
'There was squalid-looking hotel
tavern, rather-in the village, kept by
dirty, ruffanly-appearing half-brecd, which
my husband and entered on the departure
of the stage.
"'Can We get team to take our trunks
and ourselves to GrifGn?' asked my husband,
Of the host
"'The roads are in very bad condition.
and you couldn't get more than five miles
from here this afternoon, and you'd have to
stop at house where a man was murdered
last week for two dollars. You'd better stop
here tonight. I'll make You as comfortable
as can, he replied
"'Well, then, | guess We'll stay here
till tomorrow morning. observed my hus-
band
1.-The host went to prepare n room for
us, and as he left the apartment a white man
stepped up to my husband and said:
"'Mister, you'd better not stay in this she
bang tonight, for you'll surely get murder
ed ifyou do. There were five men killed
and robbed in this ranch within the last two
months. I'm a teamstcr, and I'll take you
to Griffin you want me to-
"A pleasant prospect, indeed said
George. IF we stay here we're likely to
have our throatS cut, so he tells us and. if
we so on this afternoon and stop at the old
tavern over night, mine host says that the
same delightful fate will await us there.
Between two evils choose the least but,
confound the whole affair." don't know
which Is the least. Ny friend, he added,
turning to the teamster, i reckon we'll re-
main here tonight. BE ready to start early
Tomorrow morning at daylight.
IF you and your wilc isn't as dead as