The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1884-12-03
WHAT WAS IT?
THE SKELETON OF THE ANIMAL
FOUND AFTER MANY YEARS,
BY RAILROAD HANDS.
Tho Terrible Arm.

The buildingo Of n railroad through the
Black mountains, in Arkansas, explained
4 mystery which for years was regarded
beyond the power Of earthly agencies to
solve.
Years ago when all travelling was done
by stage coach or private conveyance,
tho road which crossed Black mountains
was regarded as the best in tho State
At one place the road wound around
through narrow pass, on each side of
which, rising pcrpendicularly for hun
dreds Of feet, was so narrow that it re-
quircd quite an experienced driver to go
through without striking the walls
This place was nearly so dark and
gloomy that the travelling public dread
cd it, although no depreciation had ever
been committed there, and very many
attempts had been made to cut road by
another route, but all the attempts fail
cd, and Rock pass still continued to be
the gap through which the stage was
compelled to travel.
One night, as the stage, loaded with
passengers, had gained the drearicst part
of the pass ,hc horses stopped and the
driver was heard to exclaim, "Great
God.'
"What's the matter p demanded the
superintendent OF the road, who hap
pcned to be in the coach.
'Just come here h' the driver said. IL
amt no coward, an have fit many man
in my life, hut if this thing don't skccr
inc 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, "Ir
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 a sti-
fed shrick.
Every one left the coach and edged
along tho walls to get view Of the ter
riblc something 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 subducd glow,
the fingers Of the hand closed in n kind
Of circle, and from the hand came the
shrek. Every one was frightened, and
the driver who was regarded rs the bold
est man in the country, sat and shook
the lines, so great was his fright.
Il want money" again shrickcd the
hand.
"Lct us investigate this thing" said
one Of the passengers. "Aftcr We leave
here and attempt to tell Of the adven-
ture. we won't have anything to tell on
ly that we became frightened and gave
up our money to something, We knew
not what"
II am with you," exclaimed the driver.
Il never was blutfed yet by any man,
and I'll be blamed if l don't argy with
Satan an feel Of his weak points afore
let him bluff me. Come on, strangcr,'
and the driver climbed down. The
horses were SO badly frightened that
they shook in ovcry joint, and the su-
pcrintcndent, having lost all control Of
his courage, allowed it to slip away from
him while he leaned on ono Of the coach
wheels for support. The two men ap-
preached the hand, which lowered itself
to receive them. In the intelligent pas
senger's own words, we will give his cx-
pcrience "Thc closer i drew to the
thing the more confirmed be-
came my impression that it was super
natural. Suddenly the hand reached
down and seized me and gave me shake
that ] can never forget. Its grasp was
cold and sent chill through me. As
soon as released / retrcated as fast as nv
trembling legs could carry me. The
driver was more unfortunate. He at
tempted to grasp the hand, but was
seized and hurled against the wall with
n force that stunned him. Regaining
his feet with much difficulty, he staggcr-
ed away moaning as though every bone
in his body had been broken"
Just at this stage of the unholy per-
formance the hand drew up its fingers
and shouted:
81 want money. The tortured men in
hadcs demand money, and ] am their
agent. Give me all your money and you
may pass. Refuse and 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 "' asked the intelligent passenger.
81 will lie on the ground. Approach
and deposit your money on my palm and
| will not molcst YOU"
"Come, gentlemen" said the intelli-
gent passenger, give mo your money
and will surrender it. am sure that
this is the only way we can ever es-