The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-04-02
SECRET or AN OLD TREE.
The Mystery OF n Girls Disappearance Pro-
badly Explained.

Delhi, N. ", correspondent OF the
Tribune writes: One OF the oldest land
marks in the village Of Delhi was large
hollow chestnut-iree, which stood nearly
opposite the home Of A. w. Webb, In
Name street. II had grown to such huge
dimensions as 20 occupy at leas; one haif OF
the sidewalk. During the last three or
four years the tree has been dying, and as
many Of its dead branches hung over the
walk the authorities feared that some one
might be injured by them In falling, so
gave an order that the tree he removed.
The work was begun several days ago by
saving of the limbs. When this was done
wOrkmen began TO saw the trunk of about
three feet above the ground. They had
sawed only one-third through when the
saw struck hard. metallic substance, and
the men had to stop. Axes were secured
aud the tree cut open. To the sur
prise Of everybody the obstruction TO
the saw was found TO he an old
pistol OF French design, bearing the
date 1749. IL was covered with rust and
the date almost undiscernible. Immediate
~ below the ancient weapon lay u human
skull. in the centre OF the forehead Of
which was round hole evidently made
by bullet. The news spread like
wildfre through the village, but no one
ventured an explanation OF the strange
find. There has for long time been ira
dition regarding the tree. but il was not
until on Friday that the Tribune CORE
spondent learned the true story, when he
called upon Abraham johnson, who lives
about mile outside the village, and who is
now In his ninety-third year. Mr.. John
son had not heard Of the discovery, but
readily recalled the story Of the tree which
he had heard from his grandfather, who
was an officer OF the Revolution. THAT
tree" said Mr.. johnson, "must be nigh
onto two hundred years old. Why, my
granther used TO tell us boys about play
ng around that tree when he was n lad, an
that Is over hundred years ago. an twas
an old tree thin. Lemme see," and he re-
fiected moment: "Oh yes, can remem-
her what he used to tell us about that tree.
When he was young they called it the In
iun's Fate from the fact that an Iniun was
oncet hanged there fur murderin' poor
white girl in cold blood. She war pretty
thing, am the Indian, who war sort o
chief in his tribe-I forget what tribe il
war-wanted her TO become his wife. She
refused. an he met her one night Just
about dusk an quarrelled with her under
that tree. There was no settlement
here then-only few scatterin' cabins
OF the hunters. Mex mornin' arter
they were seen under that tree the
poor girl was missing. Under the tree
thar was a pool a pool O. blood found.
All efforts to trace the crime failed, but it
was deemed certain that the lDiun had
killed her, and the few white men that
lived abOut here made sort O. vigilance
committee and swOre vengeance on him.
They captured him one day an took him
TO the tree an prepared TO hang him. He
begged piteously TO be allowed TO live, but
they were unreIenting, an then he grew
sullen and would not speak. Even when
he bad the rope around hisneck he wouldn't
tell what he bad done with the girl. No
doubt this explains it all. The tree must
have been hollow, and he dropped her and
the pistol he did the shostin' with in there
and thought 10 conceal his crime Tn
affair made good deal of excitement in
them times"