The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-09-01
Tbe worstcst Ghost of All.

The Worstcst Ghost of Ali.
From New Martinsville, West Virgin
ia, comes the latest ghost story. If we
may credit the account given by the
Wheeling Intelligencer, there lives 70
miles up Fishing Creek, and about 70
miles from Burton, one Henry Nolan, a
wealthy and altogether respectable gen
tlemans Mr. Nolan has a son John, 13
years of age. He is a bright, intelligent
boy. and has always, until lately, been in
good health and spirits. Early last spring
however, he began TO be troubled in
manner unaccountable to lis parents, who
at first thought he had lost his reasou.-
He was followed he said, continually when
in the house, by an old gray-headed man.
He could see this man plainly, but no one
else could. Johns parents, becoming
alarmed, sent him away from home, and
/ he remained some time, experiencing no
ANNOYANCE while absent. His friends,
thinking his mind sound aad health re-
stored, sent for him, and he returned but
to have his steps dogged in the same mys
terious manner.
Now the affai. took different turn, land
stones began to be hurled at him by the
old. but invisible man. II John was in
tho house the stones would fall upon the
roof; likewise if he was in any Of the out
buildings II he was in the yard or fields
-in fact, in any place out doors-they
would fall upon and around him, but new
er hurt him These stones varied in size
!. from the dimensions of pullet egg to
those of human fist. They could be seen
coming through the air, but from whose
hand John alone could tell. He could al
ways plainly see the old man hurting
them at him. Things went on in this way
), for some time, John steadily and rapidly
i failing in health and strength, till in July,
when he again left home, and, as before,
! was not troubled during his absence. He
= was to return on Sunday, the 29th of the
: month, and now some of the friends and
It neighbors determined to ferret out and
expose the whole business. According
9 ly on SATURDAY. four men armed them
n selves and went to the house.
e Early Sunday morning, before John
J. was up (he was never in any way disturb
b ed while asleep,) they surrounded the
building, first being careful that within
'e their circuit no one was concealed
y Scarcely had John arisen when the stones
q began falling almost in shower on the
l. roof Looking up into the air, the party
}; could see them dropping like rain, bu
"a whence they came, or by what power i'm
IT PEELED, was complete mystery. Of ont
"a fact all were assured-they were thrown
Y by no one within a long distance Of tn
x house.
After breakfast John came out, and thu
n. stones fell thick and fast around him,no
I'd apparently coming from field near tn
m house. John could distinctly see his oil
t. assailant in the field so, with rifles cooked
n the men moved in that direction. Th
boy described the ghost as sitting in
n small bunch of briar bushes-the yer
ri one from whence the bombardment pre-
I'd ceeded. The patch was instantly sui
st rounded, rushed upon with clubs an
ed stones, and John saw the old man ente
We another. This was in its turn surround
nd ed, but with the same effect. Sometime
iff after coming from patch the old ma
H. would enter another a few feet away
be sometimes dash across the field. All SUI
day the search went on, but without SUI
Ia cess On Monday, however, while tt
er, storming party was running from brl'
ns heap to- briar heap, their victim sudden
20 became visible to all. He was dressed
ise blue trowsers and shirt, of fine lookir
dV material. He was hstless, but his lon
re- white flowing beard and hair hung in pr
fusion around his shoulders and over b
i've breast His face was pale, his eyes Gle
nee and sharp, and black as night He W
s1sT ordered TO surrender, put did not oUi:
de- to stir. The men then closed upon hi
or but lie darted off like deer. Meanwh
the stones continued to rattle dow
the though propelled by some other pow
ms; than the arm of the phantom.
ter John started in pursuit, running wi
sna- such swiftness that he kept close by
ess, old mans side, while the rest of
of party we're left far behind. Again
eme strange being entered thicket of bril-
ned and became invisible to all except
ON boy. AS soon as he was driven fr
ody that hiding place he entered anoth
ooli- and so the chase went on. Once m
hese during the day he appeared in full sig
fore and this time as he still spurned all
tead tempts to make him surrender, it
decided to shoot him. One of the
5 es- took deliberate aim with his rife
lib fired. The spirit, unhurt, bounded
made Another 2ursuer fired, but in vain
Con two men prepared to reload their ri
the but upon neither of them was there
nited lock, both having fallen off.
ash For two days this hunt proceed
forts without satisfactory results. On II
4 the day, however, smoke was observed
f the arise from every bush whence the ste
,hich came. Another singular circumsta
for was connected with this, namely,
effer- an Indian hen, bird found everywl
in that part of the country, was seel
y of rise from each bush, and fly to anot
otest the volley seeming to follow in the v
lie by of her flight. No conclusion ha'
= so. been arrived at with regard to this
pains terry, the investigation is abandone
ntion John, now weak and emaciated, wa
that away to a shadow of his former
nous has been sent away from home, and
pro- not, up to the time the report was
e and ten, returned.
law, The story, incredible as it may 81
ecent comes TO the Intelligences supports
t the the names of the citizens well kn
Bill, in the neiehborhood where the ev
at its are alleged to have occurred.
n the -.>.--------
8 to- Negotiations Win spain'
egard 1t has been ascertained from rel
mixed sources that Spain, instead of carr