Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-09-17

EoRwALK, Conn, September 6.-Peo-
pie tell some strange stories about Cooke
noes Island. pretty bit of land containing
about twenty acres and situated three
miles to the eastward of this. The island
has had the reputation of being haunted
by the ghost of the ill-fated lad Charlie
Ross, and for years it has been untenant-
ed save by parties of campers-out, one OF
whom, the other dav, rescued the unfortu-
nate German boy who was found floating
in a water-logged boat, two miles off
shore.
A story which is devoutly believed by
people living in the vicinity OF the island
| is that the bones of Charlie Ross lie bur-
led in some portion of the island, and
within week something has happened
which has caused considerable excitement
hereabouts.
| About the time of the excitement over
the kidnapping OF the boy two hard looking
citizens we're often seen on the island.
They occupied house that still remains
standing. People who visited the island
were peremptorily ordered off the place
| by these men. but number of people
caught a glimpse of little boy whom the
men appeared to guard with jealous care,
and they always strove to get him out OF
sight as quickly as possible whenever any
one visited the island. The great anxiety
of the men to keep the boy out Of sight
aroused suspicion, and the men and their
prisoner were at once connected with the
kidnapping case.
Many attempts were made to get good
look at the boy, but they failed. One
party, consisting of three well-known citi.
zens, two of whom are still living, landed
on the island one day and fastened to the
house. Their approach was unobserved,
and they attempted to get inside the house,
when one of the men, with an oath. block
ed the doorway, and whipping out knife
threatened to stab the first man who dared
to cross the threshold. The party had
not come prepared for such warm re.
ception. and they beat hasty retreat.
One day the two men were seen leaving
the island, but the boy was not with them
One or two men Immediately set out in a
boat and visited the island in the hope oil
finding the lad. They reached the old
house and found it deserted, The prem
ICES looked as though the late occupants
had left for good. Everything had been
IoiIloFtu u ucotIOyCu NOI trace VI
the lad could be found. The men did moi
come back and the story is that the child
was murdered in the old house and his
remains buried on the spot. Many parties
dug up the dirt floor of the cellar, but
without finding any trace of murder.
The other day an elderly man, poorly
and roughly dressed, rowed out to the
island and visited the house. Several
residents who saw him declare that he
bears close resemblance to one of the
two men who lived there so mysteriously
years ago. The old man drew some plans
of the house and made some rough meas
urements of the cellar near the east wall
The man left as quietly as he came, and
refused to answer any questions.
Immediately after the old mans visit
some young fellows went to the island
and out OF curiosity commenced to dig
near the wall where the mysterious
stranger had taken measurements, and
they unearthed human skull and several
bones, so they said. Their story is accept
ed by the townsfolk, although there are
those who say that the bones they dug up
probably belonged to the dog the two mer
used to keep at the island.
Several old residents say that the ap
pearance of the lad who was kept pris
oner on the island tallies exactly with the
description Of the curly haired Charlie
Ross. as printed in the papers. One 81
two gentlemen living here believe that he
was murdered on the island, apd will
make attempts to clear up the mystery.