The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-01-22
A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY,
Glimpses ssf Life in the Thinly Settled Int
rior Counties of Arkansas.

Glimpses ef Life in the Thinly Settled Inte-
rior Counties of Arkansas.
Correspondence of the New York Worldl
WITT SPRINGS, Searcy County, Ark,
December 20.-At the foot of the Bos-
ton Mountains dwells man named Ma
son. He. is over so years old, and his
tall figure, white hair and patriarchal
air give him an indescribable appear
ance: His house is a rough but COM
Portable log-cabin, and the few acres
around it afford ample subsistence. An
excellent marksman, he has never aban-
doned the use of his trusty rifle, while
the numerous deer and bear skins within
and without the cabin bear ample testi-
mony of mis- skill and success. With the
exceptions of his wife, he lives entirely
alone. But his life has not always been
thus desolate. Only a few years ago
three children frightened his humble
home, two boys, John and David, and
one daughter, Lizzie, who was the pride
OF the old mans heart and the light of
his rude cabin. The sons were light
hearted boys, given to drink somewhat,
but liked by every body, while Lizzie
was rare, wildwood blossom. Her
soft blue eyes and flaxen hair played
sad havoc with the hearts of the younger
portion OF the opposite sex in all that
section and many sought her hand in
marriage the fortunate young sutton
being a young man named Charles Nc
kinley, rather dissipated, not worth a
dollar, yet handsome, a very forest
Apollo-in short, just the kind of man
to win a yOIlnp GIRLS hnartf
The Mason family were any thing but
pleased with her choice, and spared no
effort to break off the attachment the
lovers had for each other. Lizzie, how
ever, could not be moved. Entreaties
and threats were alike unavailing. The
former gave her courage to plead for
Charley; the latter made her cling the
closer to him. The young man was also
hrm. will never give up Lizzie, he
said, with a big, round oath, when
questioned on that point. Finding all
other efforts useless the Masons resorted
to more violent measures. John Mason
met Charles Mckinley one day in the
forest and a terrible fight ensued in
which beth were badly cut and bruised.
but in which John was decidedly
worsted. This stirred up additional
bitterness and for time threatened to
draw the majority of the surrounding
families into the quarrel and disturb the
peace OF the neighborhood. Lizzie
sought to pour oil ON the troubled water,
and her gentle words melted the hard
ened natures that evil passions had filled
with wrath. There was a reconciliation
between her lover and brother, and
there was general rejoicing in conse-
quence, when an event occurred which
changed amity into distrust and sus-
plclon- The event was no less than the
sudden and mysterious disappearance
OF Charles Mckinley. He was last seen
alive, alone in the forest beyond the
mountains, and was on the trail of a
herd OF deer. The most rigid search
failed to- discover him or any trace of
his whereabouts. He had dropped out
OF sight and life as, if the earth had
opened and swallowed him up. All sorts
OF stories We're rife. One said he had
been murdered, another that he
had run away, still another that
he was purposely hiding himself and
would suddenly return. But as time
went on and he neither came nor was
heard OF the suspicion that he had met
with foul play gained ground rapidly,
growing into certainty in the minds of
very many persons. OF course John
Mason was accused Of the murder, and
though he strenuously denied the
charge, the evidence against him was
strong enough to warrant his apprehen-
sion. Once in the meshes of the law it
seemed as if q hundred circumstances