The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-18
GHOST OF CHARLIE ROSS.
SOME STRANGE STORIES ABOUT
COCKENOES ISLAND.
The Spirit OF the Missing Lad Said to
Haunt That Beautiful
Spot.

People tell some strar ge stories
tbont CoCkenots Island, pretty bit
OF aud contsinipg about twenty acres
and situated sbout tbres miles 10 the
eastward OF this place, writes a Nor
walk (Ct) correspondent of the Boston
Globe. The island has had the repula-
ito 4 Of being haunted by the ghost OF
the i'll fated lad Charlie Ross, and for
years 1t has been untenanied tave by
pal ties Of campers out, one OF whom,
the other day, rescued the unfortunate
German boy who was found floating
in water logged boat two miles of
shore.
A ttory which is devoutly believed
by people living in the vicinity OF the
island is that the bones of Charlie
Ross lie buried in come portion of the
islsnd, and within week something
has happened which has caused con.
siderable excitement hereabouts.
About the time Of the excitement
over the kidnspirg OF the boy two
hard looking citizens were often seen
on the island. They occupied house
that still remains standing People
who visited the island were peremp-
torily ordered Off the place by these
men, but a number OF people caught
glimpte of the little hoy whoU the
men appeared TO guard with jealous
care, and they always sTove to get
him out Of sight as quickly as possible
Whenever anyone 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 kidnap-
ing case.
Many attempts were made to get a
good look at the boy, but they fsi'ed.
One party, consisting OF three well
known citizens, two OF whom are liv-
ing, landed on the j. land one day and
hastened to the house, Their approach
YVES uuobserved, and they attsmpted
to get inside the house, when one OF
the men, with on oath, blocked the
doorway, ano, whipping out knife,
threatened to stab the first man who
dared to cross the threshold. The
party had not come prepared for such
a warm reception, 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 i'm
mediately set out in boat and visited
the Island in the hope OF finding the
lad. They reached the old house and
found 1t deserted. The premists
looked as though the late occupants
had left for good. Everything had
been removed or destroyed Not
trace OF the lad could be found. The
men did not 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
diIt floor OF the cellar, but without
finding any trace OF murder.
The other day an elder'y man,
poorly and roughly dressed, rowed out
to the Island and visited the house.
Several residents who saw him declare
that he bears c'ose 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 measurements
OF the cellar near the east wall. The
man left as quietly as be came, and |
AolNooh w ohphOl my HuCS'Auhps
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 uuearthed a human skull and
several bones, 80 they taid. Their
story is accepted by the townsfolk, a.
though there ere those who say thst
the bones they dug up probably be-
longed to the dog the two men used to
keep at the leland.
Several cd residents say that the
appearance of the lad who was kept
prisoner on the island tallies exactly
with the description Of the curly |
haired Charlie Ross, as printed in the |
newspapers. Ore or two gentlemen
living here believe that he was muir
dered on the island, and will make a..
temptsto clear up the mystery.