Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-07-31
A TERRIBLE FATE.

FoUND IN THE DES or 4 BLACKsNAKE.-
Ginger ridge, rugged, sterile upland,
about six miles northwest from West
Union, o., says correspondent Of the
New York Sun, is much excited over
the killing of an enormous blacksnakc
which for several years has played hav-
oc with farmers flocks. Hogs, poultry,
calves, sheep, etc, have mysteriousy
disappeared, alwaysat night Two years
ago band OF gypsies were encampcd
I, in the neishborhood, and they were ac
cused of stealing the missing propert.%.
] John Rainforlh, farmer, who greatly
suffered from these depredations, swore
out a warrant before Squire Peter AIMS,
and had several of them arrested. They
had preliminary examination, but moth
ing was proved against them, and they
were discharged They went away nut
tering threats Of veugence.
Mr.. Rainforth had golden-hairel
little daughter four Yeas. old, whose
beauty and sunny temper were thcpride
of her parents On the day after the
arrest OF the gypsies little Nellie Rain
! forth was missed. She was last seen
playing with pet lamb on the edge OF
a rocky ridge. a short distance from the
house. Search was made for her, but
neither her nor the lamb were found.
The whole neighborhood was aroused
and men searched the fields and woods
for miles around Mr.. Rainiorth sus-
pected the gypsies OF abducting her, out
of revenge for thcir arrest, and followed
the party across the Ohio river, into
Lewis county, Kentucky. When no
came up with them they Indignantly
denied all knowledge Of the child's
whereabouts, and search OF their camp
failed TO discover his little daughter.
lie returned to his home broken hearted.
One day last week Mr.. Raniorih was
planting field of about twenty-five
acres, situated near his honse. lie had
not been at work long when he dlscov-
cred what at first seemed 10 b. a fresh
furrow across the middle Of the field.
He stopped work and followed the
10 fence which separated the field from
dense thicket or underbrush. On tho
fence he found blood and some Sleeps
wool, which at once convinced him that
the body of sheep had been dragged
across The fence. He went 10 Ills pas
ture and found that large Coiswold
ram was missing. Accompanied by
four or five OF his ncighbors, Mr. Rain-
forth made search for the missing
sheep. The track through the brush
was marked by drops of blood and tufts
OF wool About sixty rods from the
fence they came TO n ledge OF rocks,
forming one side of steep hill. Tho
track led directly to this1edge, in which
was found an opening Of sufficient size
TO admit the body OF large man. a
charge Of giant powder was explodedin
the opening, and the rocks were thrown
assunder by the blast. When the smoke
cleared away the farmers drew nearand
peered down the opening, and there,
among at least a wagon load Of bones,
lay huge backsnakc, quivering FROM
his hurt. The farmers waited until tho
snake was dead, and then attached a
chain TO its body aud dragged the mon
ster out OF the hole. IIe measured fif
teen feet seven inches in length, and the
biggest part of bis body was over Two
feet in circumference. lie had an ugly
looking head and enormous fangs, sharp
as needles The missing ram lay beside
him, crushed out Of shape, and severed
with sticky, glutinous substance. - 't'
visited the spot and saw tho mon
ster snake. While / was thero inen
were at work clearing the den Of tbs
bones. 1t corner one OF them picked
up human skull 1t was small like
childs, and he brought il forward 10
the light. Mr.. l,ainlorth was standing
by my side when the man came townrd
us with the skull In his hand. lIo
glanced at il, and staggering against q
tree, buried his face in ] is hands aud
bnrs. into tears 'li -i 3
"Poor little Nellie" he cried through. /,
his sobs "My God il Is horibltp ple'as ?
After time he controlled his feel
ings and told tho story Of his litile
daughters mysterious disappearance two
years ago. The bones Of the little ono
were gathered together aud buried im
the family plot IN the cemetery at West
Union. The discovery was krp. from
Mrs. Hainfortb, for the poor omat has
never ceased 10 mourn for her lost
child, and her husband feared fbat this
intelligence would seriously affect her,
she being in delicate health There can
be no doubt Of the identity Of tie skelr.
ton, for gold chain which she wore
around her neck " as found amongthc
bleaching boues. "a