The Morning herald., 1878-07-11
A MILE A MINUTE WITH A GHOST

DARIUS SMITHS STRANGE STORY OLA
VISION OF THE SPIRIT OF THE MUIR
DERED ADALINE BEAvER-A FRIdHTFUL
JOURNEY BY NIGHT. Ysasfa aniiiarfap
From the Reading Eagle.l aasa3s
A few evenings ago, Darius; Smith, WHO
had finished haymaking west, Of Lessport,
walked toward his home near Shoemaker
ville about nine O'Clock in the evening:
When passing by the little bridge below
Mohrsville, where John Diehl murdered his
companion, his thoughts were with the de-
parted dead. Heso reached q point above
Mohrsvllle where the murder Of, Adaline
Beaver took place, September, Or October,
at the time Of the Reading Fair In the year
1857. This estimable young lady was bEu- -
tally murdered by man who was supposed
to be named Bessel, and who was killed ID
a railroad accident on the Lebanon Valley
Railroad not long ago. iThemurdersr hss
never been found out, buta sistertof 'the de-
ceased, in conversation relating to1the
murder remarked that "nothing was ever
said of him that was not true.Y She now
resides IN Schuylkill county. When near
ing this place Smith felt acurious sensation
about the head and bis brain ireeled. sgSHe
never believed in apparitions, but right oeT
fore him sood what appeared TO- be the
form of o woman dressed In white lspparet
and weeping. He, hesitated, not knowing
whittier to go, when the spectre appeared
now to be enveloped In q blue fame. Sud-
denly 1t mounted skywards, first moanings
and after reaching altitude commenced
singing O most beautiful hymn Smith
seemed riveted to the spot, being uaable 70
move. After circlingain the air for about
five minutes (Which seemed and hoursJ the
form returned again, weeping Sill. Her
hair was hanging was hanging down over
her shoulders and her eyes seemed starting
from their sockets. Il She had . pale and
trembling hand, and she pointed to the edge
of the left, bank Of the Schuylkill where
Miss Beaver was killed In q narrew strip OF
woods. Then she exclaimed, There \
there near that log Oh, my -" The
form stretched its hand out, but, said Mr..
Smith, ~ was unable to move even hand.
It motioned and beckoned me to come, !
followed and 1t led me to the place. There
Law the log all. covered with fresh signs of
blood, Coming in close proximity Il now,
made sure 1t was the form Of woman.
Her features looked haggard and worn, as
though having undergone terrible ordeal
could not do otherwise than follow, more
staggering than walking, more dead than
alive, through, and over the river, which
fortunately, only reached to my knees, down
the right bank to the railroad, where
small hand truck was standing ON the
track. This had marks of blood as though
body had been dragged over It. There
she beckoned me to sit. / sat down
and the spectre arose five or six. feet
above ground. The truck now started and
we flew with lightning velocity. rode q
mile in minute with the ghost. Suddenly
| I came to sudden halt, from what cause l
am still unable to say. We were beside 8
| little pond She now led the way down to
| the water, looking 90 worn that she crawled
| lmore than walked. Nearing the edge Of
the pond or small creek that was almost
hidden by the high,growing grass and weeds
1 she exclaimed, my God! My God! Here!
Herep and with this strange sentence ON
| her lips she fell into the stream. now
seemed to realize more than ever my peril
ous position. Fright took place of stupor,
and +, with the womanly form still in the
water, being dripping wet, started on dead
run tow ards home. ran as never before
ran fol about two miles, when, before the
house of friend at Shoemakerville, /
fell PROSTATE at his gate. was unable to
relate my terrible experience until had
rested, and that was only until bright sun
shine the next day. He kindly took me in
and cared for me. My friend said he never
saw such haggard and pale look on
mans face before. After fully relating my
experience and taking light breakfast
and cup of tea, started on my wsy home
with full determination never to travel
chat road again by night. So much for tho
strange storyof Darius Smith.