Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-05-08
MILL1NGTON's GHOST.

M1LLlNUlVNO VAV
Wilmington is a section of the state ly
inc in the town of Haddam, about fiv'
miles back of Goodspeed's Landing OF
the river, and joins the township OF Col
Wilmington Green is its center. Mil
linpton Green is a little collection Of
ancient and weather-beaten houses, g
church and school house, situated at the
forks of four cross roads on the summit
of a high hill, and on the direct turn
pike road from Goodspeed's Landing to
Norwich.
Wilmington Green has its history. 1t
is the history 1t is the history OF the
slow decay and gradual degeneration
that has characterized hundreds of in
land towns in the state. Millington
Green is a less point of trade and I'M
oortant to-day than it was 100 years
ago But fifty years ago this thriving,
little collection of wonderfully antique
houses and barren crossroads was thrlv-
ing mercantile mart. 1t doubly out
stripped East Haddam and Goodspeed's,
the two landings Oh Inc Il'ei.
at Millington Green was done large
and thriving business, and several great
and hourishing general merchandise
stores made it center at which much OF
the produce from all adjoining points
was sold or bartered, eventually to find
it's way to the then profitable West
India trade. In short, the West India
trade made Wilmington Green, in exclu
sion to many river towns with rival ia
cilities for shipping goods.
Here it was that mules, horses, cattle,
swine and farm products were hauled
by the meek-eyed oxen and numbering
vehicles, to be again dragged to Good
speeds Landing and shipped to the
West Indies. Gradually the prosperity
died away. Twenty-Five years ago it
was dead To-day there is not vestige
OF it save the few decaying buildings OF
more than usual country elegance, which
stand on the main road near the church,
the school house and the cross roads to
mark the decline and decay OF once
prosperous business.
But the ghost, what of the ghost?
Edgar Martin is Miliington resident.
He is tall, lank man, OF true Yankee
physique. He is farmer, owns acres
of land, and deals considerably in rail
road ties and lumber. Martin owns land
through which trout brook runs, and
Hartford sportsmen, he says have stock
ed it, and pay him well to keep off the
poachers. But the ghost. All the win
ter, says Mr.. Martin, the ghost has been
terrifying Wilmington people, and several
have seen it. Among that number MI.
Martin himself.
1t was about two weeks ago, Martin
says, he left his home with three yoke
team OF oxen to draw a load of railroad
ties to II. G. Burnham, of Hadlyme.
Hadlyrne lies southwest about six miles,
and the roads wind round through heav-
lily timbered land, over the classic emil
nence called '.Tater Hill.' Mr. Martin
Hadlyme or his return homeward
about 5 o'clock in the afternoon,
and in the usual course of
events and the slow movement OF his OK
team, would arrive home at about 8
o'clock in the evening. Slowly crawling
up the rough, billy road, he had passed
the deserted Rathburn house at the turn
of the road to Norwich, and 'hawing" Off
to the left pursued his way toward Mill
ington.
The moon was in its last quarter, and
when Mr. Martin passed the Rathburn
house and turned toward Millington, it
was between and o'clock in the even
ing, and the shade of night made the
woods gloomy and weird. But Martin
was thinking of getting home more than
he WIS moralizing on the barren sight
Of leahess limbs and dark hillsides but
spattered here and there with patches
OF half melted snow.
Suddenly the monotony of the scene
and the creaking OK cart and swing OF
the low carried heads of the tired oxen
and tired drivers, a pair of two year-olds
Jumped to one side, while the wheel
oxen and the center yoke caught the In
lection and started up in an unusual
manner. Mr.. Martin, too, was startled
out of his senses, and looking about him
to discover the cause that had excited
mis- cattle, saw, apparently walking some
twenty feet ahead of his leaders, a little
dwarf-like man, not more than three feet
tall, as he appeared in the dim light.
The little object, as he looked from be-
hind, seemed made up principally of a
long, flowing cloak which hung from his
shoulders and spread out at the bottom
until It's wearer looked like an animated
ga" on whose head was perched little
jaunty, peaked hat, and whose hand was
long cane, perhaps double his height
in length, which seemed to assist his lit
tie duck-hke, long stockinged legs
which were visible as the wind raised and
lowered his flowing cloak. Diminutive
Us the peculiar little figure was, he
seemed to have no trouble in keeping
the same distance ahead of the team that
be held when first seen. Mr.. Martin was
startled at first, fairly frightened. Then
as the thing, whatever it was, looked so
small and harmless, and walked right
along about its business in the middle
of the road, and the oxen seemed salts
fed and unterrifed, Mr.. Martin picked
up courage to yell out, ''Hello thar, Cap
tain p
No answering response came from the
strange little being, and again Edgar
Moderated: "Hello thar you little cuss,
whar yer goin'? Git in and ride; it's
easier n walkin'."