The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-03-03
A Lorer,s Strange Exeeution.

Just before General Custer and Guer-
rilla Mosby had that tilt about retalia-
ton 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: '.Killed 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 were
about five miles apart Our pickets
were full mile beyond camp, and scouts
and videttes overlooked at least another
mile. Half way between the camp and
the reserve pickets was a farm house.
The inmates comprised grandmother
at least eighty years old, and SO feeble
that she could not walk without as
sistance, a child three years of age, and
girl about twenty years of age, whom
the little one called "Aunt Katie" This
aunt had blue eyes, blonde hair, white
teeth, and handsome face. She had
every bearing of lady, and half a
dozen officers at once fell in love with
her. Our Captain was one of the num-
Der. In q little time he made such an
impression that he had the field to him
self, and one Wednesday.ev as he
was riding out to talk sweet nonsense, he
met your humble servant, who was re.
turning to camp from a 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 tworhours, as he was on a
bit of scout to pick up information re-
garding Early's movements. I swal-
lowed the assertion with that due re-
spect which private should exhibit
toward Captain; but l had seen and
heard, and knew his errand perfectly
well. s
During the first hour L heard snatches
of song and an occasional laugh from the
house, and twice the young lady played
for five minutes at a 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 q
nap, and I 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.
'1'l see about that" said the officer
in charge of the patrol, and he walked
to the house and gave a laundering
sponse, he knocked again and again, and
then the door was burst open. Some o.
the men ran out again. as soon as they
| had entered, and in a trice the house
was. surrounded. When we came tc
search it the old woman was found fast
asleep in a bedroom. She was toe
feeble to get up without help and hel
talk showed that she had but little MIND
Left The child and the blue-eyed cir
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. TIL,
rope was new one, and was passed
through a hole in the ceiling and foo
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 wa
no indication of struggle. The oil
woman could shed no light on the affair
and the others were gone. No men ha.
been seen about the house, and if mel
had hung the Captain there would hav
been struggle and row loud enough t
reach me at the gate. The Captain wa
armed, but his saber and revolver wer
hanging on hook in thereon.
We had score of theories, but non
of them could explain the whole situa
ton. and change of base caused th
affair to be forgotten in a few weeks b
all save those most directly concerned
| Detroit Free Press.