Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-02-13
MiscelIaneoms.
a Haunted Bridge.

BEDFORD COUNTY'S LATEST MYSTERY
OR HUMBUG.-T local reporter of the
Bedford Inquirer, with the fate of Ananias
staring him in his minds eye, puts in print
the following story of haunted bridge:
And now We stumble upon n mystery in
Harrison township. About six miles west
of this place is bridge known as Kinton's
bridge, which spans the Jun;ata, and is a
spot of no mean significance in the history
of the township. BY many of the citizens,
for many years, this bridge has been dread
! ed, and there are those who, rather than
cross it, would wade the sparkling stream
at temperature Of 20 deg. not that the
superstructure is faulty, nor that there is
any petty jealousy 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
of the citizens at heart, wields a terrible,
! evil. magic influence over it. Many won
derful, and if they did not come from men
of unquestionable veracity, we would say
slightly incredible stories are told concern
ing what has happened in this famous
bridge, but as we have not the space to re-
count them all, we will give the latest SEN
satiOn.
| One afternoon, sometime since, farmer
started with a load of corn to Mann's
Choice, and on his way had to pass
through the bridge. He was a man not
given to fear nor to the belief in spOoks,
ghosts and hobgoblins. He arrived at the
/ town in safety, unloaded his corn and start
ed for home. Just as the sun was di.ap-
pearing in the western horizon, his wa
gOn, drawn by two powerful horses, enter
ed the bridge, when all of a sudden they
came to a halt-whack went the whip
about the legs of the fiery steeds, who
strained every nerve to 60 forward, but it
was a dead STALL The driver dsmounted
| and examined the wagon, found that it had
not caught against anything, and proceed
ed to lead his team, bat to his great aston
ishment the wagon would not move. He
unhitched the horses, and led them out of
the bridge and tied them to a fence. He
| then returned with the intention of backing
! the wagon out. but he found that the
wheels were firmly set, the tongue was i'm
movable, and the light bed which he had
| handled many time without assistance,
even the one corner Night came on and
with it anathemas loud and deep. He de-
clared he could not 60 home without his
wagon, to be laughed at by his neighbors.
The services of man and boy, who lived
near the bridge, were brought into requisi-
ton. They had lantern. The trio did
all in their power to loose the wagon, bu: it
remained as stationary as though it were
part Of the bridge. Finally they gave up
| in despair. The farmer had already
mounted his horse preparatory to starting
| for home VIXEN the chains attached to the
tongue ratified. He went back-the magic
! spell was broken, and the wagon followed
in the wake of the horses as though nothing
had occurred. The affair created won
utIIul bCIShOOihOouf
to this day is dark mystery.
So late as one night last week two young
men in a buggy, drawn by powerfully
built family horse, approached the bridge,
and when about two thirds through, their
progress was suddenly and mysteriously
stopped. The horse put forth his best
licks, but the buggy remained firm. The
gentlemen alighted and discovered that
their vehicle had grown fast to the bridge
and would not give anywhere. After half
an hours pulling and tugging, they con-
| cluded to unhitch and go home. When
the horse was about half unhitched the
buggy became loose, and they went on their
way rejoicing. We cannot give any
reasons for these mysteries, but we are
willing to swear that we get our informa-
ton from as reliable men as Bedford county
can produce, and that they are candid in
their convictions.