Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-09-28
The Ghosts of Red Creek.

tends track OF pine IOrebI AOA Hn0S
with but few habitations scattered
through it. Black and Red creeks, with
their numerous branches, drain this re-
gion into the Pascagoula river to the
eastward. With the swamps of the |
Pascagoula river as a refuge, and the |
luxuriant and unfrequented bottoms OF
the Red and Black creeks to browze
upon, there are few choicer spots for
deer. Knowing this fact, a small party |
of gentlemen, on the day before crisp |
cold Christmas, started from Handsboro |
in a large four wheeled wagon for
thirty-mile drive into the wilderness OF
pine and weeks sport after the deer.
The guide was Jim Caruthers, true |
woodsman, and the driver q general
tactotum, jolly negro named Jack
Lyons, than whom no one could make a
better hoe-cake or cook venison steak.
His laugh could be heard quarter OF
mile, and his good-nature was as ex-
pansive as the range of the laughter.
The usual experiences of q hunting
camp were heartily enjoyed during the
first days of this life out of doors; but
its cream did not rise until about the
fifth night, when, from familiar inter-
course, Jack Lyons became loquacious.
and after the days twenty or twenty
five-mile walk, would spin yarns In front
of the camp fire, which brought forget
fulness of fatigue.
The night before New Years was in
tensely cold. The cold north wind of
. the afternoon had subsidized at sunset,
and only gust now and again touched
the musical leaves of the pines, making
them vibrant with that mournful score
of natures operas which even maestros
have failed to catch.
In front of two new and white tents
two spertsmen reclined at length within
reach of the warmth of the fire, while
opposite them rested at ease the guide
and the worthy Jack Lyons.
3 Wearied with the days chase four
stauch hounds -Ringwood, Rose, Jet
and Boxer-were dreaming of future
D quarry.
: The freight brought out in bright re-
lief the trunks of the tell pines like
cathedral columns, andsparkl'ng through
the leafy dome overhead the scintillat-
ing stars glistened with a diamonr
brightness. A silence which added its
influence to the scene rested about the
e borders of the creek below, and gave
more effect to the story of the veteran
= ~ ieJt4E than perhaps it otherwise
n eff de deer run down de creek, sa11
is old Jack smacking his lips over a care
d fully prepared brewing of the real Cam
+ bolton punch, "wese boun to see fuI
# to-morrer, for deyn take us down thar
# by do old Gibbet's place. In daylight
4 dar's no place like it, but after nightfall
;s you bet you wouldn't catch dis niggal
"a dar."
"a Old Jack was naturally asked why ht
~ didn't care about visiting the Gibbet'i
,e place at night. Asking to be excused
J. until he filed his pipe, the silence wa'
= unbroken until his return. He piled ol
y more pine knots and commenced.
N "Yu' kno' gemmen, dat when de gun
ID boat was in de sound we folks had Il
IN travel way back hyar on desc roads on
st un de range of dere big guns. I wa
e gagged by Mr.. Harrison in hauling sal
Is from de factory at Mississippi City, on d.
Y. beach ober to Mobile, an had beer
,e making trip every week or SO. Di
D. back country road was neber though
4 oh by de federals, an we bad goot
times along de way, no shells and N,
% shootin'.
n "De mite. gemmen, rs speakin' O
IS was Friday dat yous all know is un
,e lucky. Well, you see. I hitched u
in Betsie and Rose in de lead an ole Fo:
20 an Blossom at de pole, an takes in d
biggest load OBJ salt dat team eber Car
ried. / starts out an crosses de Biloxi
riber at Hansboro just as de moon wa
goin' down. Yes, boss, desc road
weren't no better den dan now, an d
~ rain had made 'em mighty rough whel
% yer comes to de holes.
~ CT sat in de seat whistlin' DE Cows
" is in de Pea Patch, and a thinking o.
= Sarah Jamison, what was afterwards m
or wife, when felt de off fore wheel q
- 'kerseush I in hole up to de hub. T.
:. made II mile out of Hansboro. I di
- some cussin', and den went to de fenc
- about 20 yards off and took out rail +
b priz9 up dc wheel. Den I saw Twas at Mi
"a ter Gibbet's place. try and try on 9
"A de wheel, but no go; so I sez to myself
|, I'll go on up to de house and get ol
h Mr.. Gibbet to give me turn. 1 ha,
a. done gone by dyar two weeks afore an
N Seed de old man,
"a "Now, gemmen. yer listen to me, fo
is what Use tellin yer is as sure as jimmy
blow de horn on de last day. walk
~ ed up to de house and dar saw brigh
4 light inside. It showed out fro d
a. windows, and saw shaders OF MIS-
"A Gibbet and Mrs. Gibbet on de windo'
a curtain-shore honeys, shore. De froI
bo do was shet, and steps up on ter d
| n 4 i