Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1884-11-02
A FLORIDA MYSTERY.
Tbs Ghost Of tho Everglades sad
It's Lsgead.
A Startling Apparitioa--Spooks Which Re-
yish the Glimpses Of The Neon
0rce n Ten Years---A
FzsheIs cssAb.
Hf1r VnrS Jt1mD.

A few weeks since there arrived IN sa
Eastern city from 81 Augussise, FloridG q
gentleman who had been travelling in the
interior Of that State despite the hot
weather, on important business, which led
him in the vicinity of that wellknown sec
ton, The Everglades" Fortunately tor
the gentleman in question he remembered
that an old friend had bought land near
the route he was taking, and had there plan
ted an orange grove, and it occurred to him
that here was an opportunity for enjoying
Florida hospitality which had hitherto only
reached him through the familiar means Of
hOtels.
HIS friends orange grove covered about
one half of 500.acre plantation calted
'Miilamont, and after he had got within
the boundaries of the sparsely- settled regien
where it was, he had no difficulty in finding
it. Indeed it was a very old place, though
only within the past ten years planted in
oranges From the last town he had taken
horses for himself and servant, aud the
dozen miles or so which lay between were
rapidly ridden over in the late afternoon.
Mr.. Cannaday, the gentleman in, question,
and who now tells the story reached "Milla-
moat" Just before dusk, and after riding
through long, shaded avenue, reiuedup his
horse in front of broad, two-story dwelling,
evidently an old-timer while his FRIEND Mr.
| Romayne, come down from group per.
sous with whom he WAS couversing. on the
piazza TO greet and welcome him. Intro.
ductions followed, and then it became evil
dent to the guest that something more than
common was disturbing the minds OF his
host and family about which there was
curious air OF mingled mystery and expec.
tation which soon set his curiosity on the
qui vive.
Mr. Romayue either perceived this fact
or was himself so full OF his subject that he
could not keep it secret, for he observed, as
they were enjoying their wine after dinner:
"You come IN good time to experience SEN
satiCn, Canuaday.
\ Ghost Story.
II had the impression FROM your manner
there WAS something stirring. What is it?
We'll, in brief it is a ghost story.
Several of rs are going down into the Ever
| gadeS tonight to inspect for ourselves
| certain mysterious phenomena of a super
natural character, which are said TO make
their appearance every ten years at THIS
time
"Yo1 surprise ME: Have you any idea
Of the origin Of the story
"Ges, know the story and will tell it
later on. The occurrences happened about
thirty years ago, and every ten years, on the
lltli OF August which is tonight, they say
that startling scenes occur near deep,
olack pool where we shall go presently"
The party, as made up consisted of three
or four of Mr. Romsync's neighbors him.
self and Mr. Cannaday, and at about 10
O'Clock the same night they started from
the house, guided by an old negro who, Mr.
Romsyne said, had lived with Mr.. Milla I
mont when the scene had occurred, which, "
It is supposed, had given rise to the ghostly
appearance.
Taking lanterns the party moved in. single
file through the plantation, and, CIVILIZED y
the negro, struck into g. path which, alter
an hours careful picking of steps over 'hnn-
mocks, among vines and underbrush through
the swamp of the EveFgladessbrought them
| to the side Of Boulder Pool, as it was
called from an immense mass ofrock which
| stood on its margin The pool Was about
half an acre in extent difficult Of approach,
and, Mr. RomayNe said, very deep and
muddy Beside the boulder was dry spot
largo enough for party to huddle together
upon il, and there having first eXtinguished
their lanterns, they seated themselves in
various cramped positions and waited Silen.
lv. Through the dense masses Of foliage
above their heads the stars could be seen
shining. reelected in the black waters Of the
| pool Occasionally the Groak Of a frog or
| the sharp cry oCsome aquatic bird could be
heard. but save that, il was still, damp, and
| generally q lugubrious situation. 1t was
about midnight, when the
| silence was Suddenly broken
BY shrek, so awful as to fairly curde the
blood. 1t was repeated in moment, and
then there was heard rush through the tan
uIei forest as though Of some one escaping
{ OLE persuit. 1t drew nearer and nearer, and
presently stned cries and the painting of
person in hot fight were heard distinctly
The gentlemen had risen to their feet, and
standing with their backs against the huge
boulder, peered into the darkness in the di-
rection whence the sound proceeded.
Nearer still, and now the deep bay Of blood
hound pierced the night and again that
awful shriek-plainly that of Women
startled their ears and troze the blood in
their veins.
The noise Of crashing through the under
brush the heavy breathing of at leas: two
persons, and the low savage barking Of the
dog, were now so near-in sound-thlt the
watchers gszed in momeutary expectation
of the appearance OF the fugitives. And
this is what happened Six credible wit
nesses aver that suddenly sheet Of light
coming from no one could tell whence. il
Illuminated the scene, and there burs. forth
from the forest the figure Of q younI man
halt dragging, half supporting a girl, clad
in white, her hair iisheveled, her clothes
torn By the brambles, and who, even as she
appeared, sent forth again that terrible
shrek. They passed within few rods Of
the stunned and bewildered group OF spec
tators, and in moment were folio we'd By
bloodhound, painting and growing, and
behind him. by Jorge, powerful man, who
carried in one hand heavy whip. The
bright light vanished-to reappear above
their heads, and as Mr. Romsyne, pointing
upward, directed the attention Of the Others
to the top of the rock against which they
had been leaning they saw the young man
standing upon it, with the girl clas?ed in
his srms. Meanwhile
The Dog Bayed Fierceiy
Below, and then the man whe hal been
following them reached the summit. The
whole situation was plainly visible. Spring
ing upon the two who stood locked in each
others arms, the elder man tore them apart
The sir! falling at his feet Then there was
fierce rtruggle, and in moment the
stronger man seized the other about the
waist, and, with gigsntic strength, hurled
him into the pool. They heard the splash,
y Il