Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-10-02

haunted by the ghost OF the ill-fated lad,
Charlie Ross, and for years it has been
untenanted save by parties of campersoat,
one of whom, the other day, rescued the
unfortunate German boy who was found
floating in a water-logged boat two
miles of shore. -,
A story which is devoutly believed %
people living in the vicinity OF the island
is that the bones of Charlie Ross lie
buried in some portion Of the island, and
within week something has happened
which has caused considerable excite
ment hereabouts.
About the time of the excitement over
the kidnapping of the boy, two handbook
ing citizens were often seen on the
island They occupied a house that
still remains standing. People who VS.
tied the island were peremptorily ordered
off the place by these men, but q 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 anyone visited the
island. The great anxiety of the men
to keep the boy out of sight aroused
suspicion, and the men and their prs
oner were at once connected with the
kidnapping case.
Many attempts were made to get q
good look at the boy, but they failed.
One party consisting Of three well known
citizens two of whom are living, landed
on the island one day and fastened to
the house. Their approach was unob-
served, and they attempted to get inside
the house, when one of the men with an
oath, blocked the doorway, and, whip
ping out knife, threatened to stab the
first man who dared to cross the thresh'
J hold. The party had not come prepared
for such a warm reception, and they
beat hasty retreat.
One day the two men we're seen leaving
the island, but the boy was not witt
them. One or two men Immediately Sc
} out in a boat and listed the island il
the hope of finding the lad. They
reached the old house and found it de
serted. The premises looked as though
the late occupants had left for good
Everything had been removed or de
stroyed. Not trace Of the lad could b
} found. The men did not come back
> and the story is that the child was muir
, dered in the old house and his remain
r buried on the spot. Many parties dul
3 up the dirt floor of the cellar, but with
out finding any trace Of murder.
The other day an elderly man, poorl
I and roughly dressed, rowed out to tn
: island and visited the house. Sewers
residents who saw him declare that I
bears close resemblance to one OF tn
J. two men who lived there 80 mysteriousl
d years ago. The old man drew som
), plans of the house and made some roug
= measurements Of the cellar near the eas
e wall. The man left as quietly as he cam
= and refused to answer any questions.
e Immediately after the old mans Wis
some young fellows went to the islam
S and out Of curiosity, commenced to di
: near the wall where the mysteriou
!, stranger had taken measurements, an
Q they unearthed human skull and Sc,
Q eral human bones, SO they said. The
d story is accepted by the townsfolks, a
g though there are those who say that th
bones they dug up probably belonge
g to the dog the two men used to keep
u the island.
d Several old residents say that the al
: pearance of the lad who was kept pri
l. oner on the island TALES exactly wit
r. the description of the curly haired Cha
10 lie Ross, as printed in the newspaper
is One or two gentlemen living here belie'
g that he was murdered on the island, an
l. will make an attempt to clear up tt
q mystery.