Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1874-02-21
A Haunted Bridge.


terry in Harrison township. About
six miles west Of this place is
bridge known as Kinton's bridge
which spans the Juniata, and is
spot of no mean significance in the
history of the township. BY man.
of the citizens, for many years, thu:
bridge has been dreaded and there
are those who rather than cross 1t
would wade tho sparkling stream at {
temperature Of 20 degrees, not that
the superstructure is faulty, nor that
there is q petty jcalously because
Smith or Jones built the bridge, but
because it is believed that the Devil
or some other body or thing who has
not the interests and happiness oI
the citizens at heart, wields a terri
bly, evil magic influence over it. Ma
ny wonderful, and if they did not
come from men of unquestionable
vsracity, We would say slightly i'll
credible stories are told concerning
what has happened in this famous
bridge, but as we have not the space
to recount them all we will give the
latest sensation. One afternoon some
time since, a farmer started with a
load Of corn to Mann Choice, and on
his way had to pass through the
bridge. lie was man not given to
fear nor to the belief in spookS
ghosts and hobgoblins. lie arrived
at the town in safety, unloading his
corn and starting for home. Just a.,
the sun was disappearing i'll the
western horizon, his wagon, drawn
by two powerful horses, entered the
bridge, When all Of sudden, they
came to halt-whacll went the whip
about the les, Of the .icry steeds, who
strained every nerve to s. forward,
but it was dead stall. The driver
dismounteu and examined the wagon,
found that it had not caught against
ANYTHING, and proceeded to lead his
team, but to his great astonl3Ancut
the wagon would not move. lie
unlitcAeI the horses, led them out OF
the bridge and tied them to a fence.
He tAen returned with the intention
Of backing the wagon out, bnt lie
found that the wheels We're firm! y
set, the tongue Was immovable, aud
the light bed which he had handled
many IL time without assistance, was
50 sohuly fixed that he could not move
even the corner. Night came on, and
with anathemas loud and deep, he do
clarcl he would not 50 home without
his wagon, to be laughed at by hi
noishbors. The services OF man
and boy, who lived near tho bridge
were brought into rcQuisitlon. They
had q lantern. The trio did all il
their power to loose the wagon, but 1t
remained as stationary as tho 1T were
part of the bridge. Finally they
gave up in despair. The farmer had
already mounted his horses prepara-
tory to starting for home when the
chains attached to the tongue ratified
lie went back-the magic spell was
broken and the wagon followed II
the wake Of the horses as though
nothing had occurred. The affair
created wonderful sensation in the
neighborhcod, and to this day is 4
dark mystery.
So late as one night last week two
young men in a buggy drawn by a
powerfully built family horse, sp-
preached the bridge and when sbout
two-t thirds through, their prosres;
was suddenly and mysterlously stop
ped. The horse put forth his best
licks, but the buggy remained firm
The gentlemen aliyAted, and discov-
cred that their vehicle had grown
fast to the bridge and would not give
anywhere. After half an hours
pulling and tugsing they concluded
to unhitch and 90 home. When the
horse was about half unhitched the
buggy became loose and they went on
their way rejoicing. We do not pre-
tend to give any reasons for these
mysteries, but we are willing to swear
that We get our information from as
reliable men as Bedford county can
produce and that they are candid in
their CONVICTIONS Bedford Lnl~I''eF;
bSag" Why are a and + like good
people? Because they meet in heaven.
nsa> Enslaud likes sleeping cars.