Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-11-27
THE TERRIBLE ARM.

The building of railroad through the
Black mountains, in Arkansas, explained a
mystery which for years was regarded be-
yond the power of earthly agencies to solve.
Years ago when all travelling was done
by stage coach or private conveyance, the
road which crossed Black mountains was re-
garded as the best in the State. Atone place
the road wound around through narrow
pass, on each side of which, rising per-
pendicularly for hundreds of feet, was so
narrow that it required quite All experience
ed driver to go through without striking
the walls. This place was nearly so dark
and gloomy that the travelling public dread
ed it, although no depreciation had ever
been committed there, and very many at
tempts had been made to cut a road by
another route, but all the attempts failed,
and Rock pass still continued to be the gap
through which the stage was compelled to
travel.
One night, as the stage, loaded with pas
the pass, the horses stopped and the driver
was heard to excaim, "Great God!'
whats the matter?" demanded the
superintendent of the road, who happened
to be in the coach.
"Just come here !" the driver said. 81
amt no coward, an have fit many man in
my life, but if this thing don't skecr me
then l am willin' to throw down the lines
to the first man that comes along"
The superintendent got out and in a few
moments he was heard to say, eff had
room here I'd run twenty miles without
stopping. Never saw the like in my life.
What the deuce do you suppose it wants ?"
money!" came in a voice like stlf1ed
shrek.
Every one left the coach and edged along
the walls to get view of the terrible some
thing in front. From the middle of the
road arose an enormous arm, with the sleeve
turned up. At the end of the arm, in the
most natural way possible, pale, and with
subdued glow, the fingers Of the hand
closed in a kind of circle, and from the
hand came the shrek. Every one was
frightened, and the driver who was regard
ed as the boldest man in the country, sat
and shook the lines, so great was his fright.
81 want money!" again shrieked the
hand.
"Let us investigate this thing" said one
of the passengers. "Atter we. leave here
and attempt to tell of the adventure, we
won't have anything to tell only that we
became frightened and gave up our money
to something, we knew not what"
81 am with you" exclaimed the driver:
81 never was bluffed yet by any man, and
I'l be blamed if don't argy with Satan
an feel of his weak points afore let him
bluff me. Come on, stranger" and the
driver climbed down. The horses were so
badly frightened that they shook in every
joint, and the superintendent, having lost
all control of his courage, allowed it to slip
away from him while he leaned on one of
the coach wheels for support. The two
men approached the hand, which lowered
itself to receive them. In the Intelligent
passengers own words, we vii. give his
experience: "The closer drew to the APP
palling thing the more confirmed became
my impression that it was supernatural:
Suddenly the hand reached down and
seized me and gave me a shake chat can
never forget. Its grasp was cold and sent
chill through me. AS soon as released |
retreated as fast as my trembling legs could
carry me. The driver was more unfOrtu-
nate. He attempted to grasp the hand, but
was seized and hurled against the wall
with a force that stunned him. Regaining
his feet with much difficulty, he staggered
away moaning as though every bone in his
| body had been broken"
Just at this stage of the unhOlv perform
ance the hand drew up its fingers and
shouted:
81 want money. The tortured men in
hades demand money, and am their agent.
Give me all your money and you may pass.
Refuse and l will batter your stage coach
to pieces against the walls"
"How can we give you our money when
YOU shake us and sling us around so:' ask
cd the intelligent passenger.
81 will lie on the ground. Approach and
deposit your money on my palm and will
not modest you"
"Come, gentlemen" said the intelligent
passenger, "give me your money and l
will surrender it. | am sure that this is the
only way we can ever escape"
Every one yielded and the intelligent
passenger deposited the money in the hand
as it lay on the ground. Closing its fingers
around the money, the hand disappeared.
The driver mounted the box, the passen-
gers resumed their places and the stage
proceeded on its journey.
Great excitement was created when the
story was told in Little Rock, but many
matter-of-fact people were disposed to scott
at the passengers for their silly fears. David
CaldrOn, well-known blacksmith, ridi-
cuIed the passengers so mercilessly that
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