The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-03-03
A Lovers Strange Execution.

Just before General Custer and Guer-
rilla Mosby had that tilt about retaia-
tion down in the valley, Captain be-
longing to certain Michigan cavalry
company under Custer, played the fool
hardy, and paid the penalty with his
life. His taking off was probably put
down on the rolls as: ssKilled by guer-
rillas," but there are two or three men
living who beg to differ with the re-
ports.
During the particular week I write of,
the armies of Sheridan and EARLY we're
about five miles apart Our pickets
were a full mile beyond camp, and scouts
and videttes overlooked at least another
mile. Half way between the camp and
the reserve pickets was farm house,
The inmates comprised grandmother
at least eighty years old, and so feeble
that she could not walk without as
sistance, child three years of age, and
girl about twenty years of age, whom
the little one called ''Aunt Katie" This
aunt bad hlno syess sbleutle hair, white
teeth, and handsome face. She had
every bearing of lady, and half
dozen officers at once fell in love with
her. Our Captain was one of the num-
Der. In a little time he made such an
impression that he had the field to him
self, and one Wednesday evening, as he
was riding out to talk sweet nonsense, he
met your humble servant, who was re.
turning to camp from lone foraging
expedition. and was ordered to fall in
behind and act as his orderly.
When the Captain dismounted at the
farmhouse gate, he gave me his reins,
with the remark that he expected to be
absent about two hours, as he was on a
bit of a scout to pick up information re-
garding Early's movements. swal-
lowed the assertion with that due re-
spect which private should exhibit
toward Captain; but 1 had seen and
heard, and knew his errand perfectly
well.
During the first hour I heard snatches
of song and an occasional laugh from the
house, and twice the young lady played
for five minutes at time on guitar
Two hours slipped away-then another
and another. 1t was now / o'clock in
the morning, and the house was as still
as the grave. Tying the horses to the
fence pumped down on the grass for
nap, and was yet enjoying it when a
patrol came along and routed me up.
It was broad daylight, and where was
the Captain ? Both horses were at the
fence, and I explained that my officer
must have made up his mind to breakfast
with the family.
in charge of the patrol, and he walked
knock on the door. There being no re-
sponse, he knocked again and again, and
then the door was burst open. Some of
no 4Lov
had entered, and in trice the house
search it the old woman was found fast
asleep in bedroom. She was too
feeble to get up without help, and her
talk showed that she had but little mind
left. The child and the blue-eyed girl
had departed In the parlor, hanging
by the neck in noosed rope, was the
Captain. His face was as black as ink,
his tongue out, and the body was cold.
He had been dead for hours.
Now, then, as to the mystery. The
rope was new one, and was passed
through hole in the ceiling and floor
above. The Captains arms were tied
behind him, and his ankles lashed FAST
and he hung clear foot above the floor
The house was in perfect order, lamp
still burned on the table, and there was
no indication of a struggle. The old
woman could shed no light on the affair,
and the others were gone. No men had
been seen about the house, and if men
had hung the Captain there would have
been struggle and row loud enough to
reach me at the gate. The Captain was
armed, but his saber and revolver were
hanging on a hook in the room.
We had a score of theories, but none
Of them could explain the whole situa-
ton, and change of base caused the
| affair to be forgotten in a few weeks by
all save those most directly concerned.
Detroit Free Press.