Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-10-08
A WEIRD TALE,
OF TIE DIsENBODIED SPIRITS OF MUIR
DBRRD MHN
Swayins from Trees in a Phosphasscani Light
4 Visit TO the Hatfelds-A Heavy
Robbery, Bio.

Swaying from Trees in a Phosphasscsni Light
A Visit TO the Hatfslds-A Heavy
Robbery, Bio.
A correspondent writing from Kentuck,
jackson county, in the midst of the region
of country in which the murder OF Rev.
Thomas Ryan and the subsequent lynch
iug of George Duff, Bob Duff and Chess
Cook occurred, tells a wild, weird and
gruesome tale Of midnight spooks, which
is fairly interesting, if not possessing all
the elements of probability. The story
goes that there has been report through
out tie surrounding country that the
spirit of Bob Duff has frequently been
seen late at night suspended from
trees near the spot where they met their
fate, and swaying back snd forth in the
midnight air, Daft, with grinnins conn
terancs and throat gaping with O
ghastly cut being suspended but o
short distance away. The story gained
ground. although very few people could be
found who placed any ertdeacs in it. A
few nights since half dozen
brave spirits (thst country is fall
of brave mem met and agreed
to test the truth Of the story. They were
led ty tall, sandy -complexioned indiv d.
usl, we'll known in both Jackson and
Roane, o man who has the reputation of
having never XII own what fear meant.
About ten o'clock they started for the spot,
which was about six miles distant. ST.
lently the band, we'll armed and wa.chful,
rode until they turned the bend in the hi |
road, which opened upon view Of the
spot about forty yards distant. As soon
as the horses came within view of the spot
all of them took fright aud tried to run
away. They were conquered by their
masters, however, and m ,de to turn in the
direction of the spot. The horses s'Ood
still, trembling in every limb, while, to
the sstonishment-not unmi1ed with ter
ror-of the riders, two fgurts, simmer
ing with phosphorescentlike light. ap'
psared to bs moving backward and for
ward across the road. One of the riders
declared he could smell something similar
to sulphur, and declared his intention of
leaving, and he doubtless would have gone
but for the determination of the leader.
TIE men sat looking at the strange
spectacle few moments when their leader
gave the order, "Forwardw ALI of them
touched their horses in the TANKS, ex-
pecting them 10 obey the impulse, but, to
their establishment, before they were aware
of it all of the horses had turned tail, and,
snorting with terror, dashed through the
woods at a panic pace. They fad, per-
haps, a quarter of mile before they were
stopped. I took another half hour to &c.
the men togt Their, which was zone by
hallooipg and whistlipg But nothing
could induce the horses 10 again approach
within hundred yards of the spot. Not
to be beaten the men dismoun;e1 and ap-
preached on foot.
When they again turned the bend some
strange objects were seen, but without
motion. They appeared to be suspended
between heaven and earth-two grinuiug
skeletons, from whose eyeballs. OF the
holes in the skulls where once were the
eyeballs of the living men, o glare of light
shone While the men stood silent look
ing at the strange tight. two forms were
seen to lower the grinniDg bodies and
quietly drop them into holes ia the
ground, which appeared to have suddenly
opened to receive them. Then darkness
almost palpable followed, through which
the men could scarcely see one another,
although but few feet apart. They had
seen enough for the bravest, and they
quickly turned and walked away. Tie
next day several of them returned ID the
scot, but aside from their own footsteps
and those of their horses, not the faintest
mark disturbed the earth or trees. The
spot hsd all the appearance OF having been
utterly deserted for months. They all ad-
NIT having seen these strange things, bat
they don't pre:ead to account for the
strange, uucanny sights. Some Of them
believe the objects to have been the disem-
bodied spirits of Coon and Dnff, while
others pretend to believe that some human
agency beyond their knowledge had come
thing to do with the affair.
THE HATFIELDs AND M'COYs.
Clarence Moore, of Charleston, who &C.
companied Col. Crawford, of the New
York World on his last weeks trip to L.
gan and Pike count:e,, reports that they
were Hospitality entertained by Ans and
Gap Hatfield, at their home, fifteen miles
from Logan c. H., and counted twelve
Winchester rifles in the room while they
we're eating dinner. The Hatfields at
present are acting entire ly on the defensive,
saying that they expect to stay at no ne
and attend to their own affairs, only ask
ing 10 be let alone. They announce de-
termination not TO be taken, however, and
as they are never found uuarmed, an at
tempt to arrest them would be very dan.
gerous proceeding. They take their Win
chesters with them to the cornfeld when
they 90 to work, leaning them against
fodder shock while they cut up the c1rn,
with navy revolver, strapped around their
waists. Frank Phillips, one Of the lead
ers Of the Mccoy faction, has sent
word to the Hatfelds to tkill every
id detective" they can fiud aud that
he will do the same on the Kentucky side;
and there was bat little doubt that this
advice will be followed whenever an op-
p,rtuuity offers. The Hatfeids are note
Tor thtirhospitality and never lets stranger
pas By without taking him in and giving
bin the best they have, aud this, If
conr:e has gained thsm many friends.
Kentucky Bill" whoss real name is John
L. Napier, originslly of Wayne county,
but who gained his souJriqaet during h,s
life in Colorado, has beea having some
quite interesting experiences la;e'y, as one
time concealiny himself in hollow log for
several hours in orcer to give his pursusrs
The slip. He is connected with Loui.-
vile dets ctive agency and is at present
laid up with wound in the ankle, made
by q Winchester bullet The Circuit Court
of Logan has discharged Kirk Mccoy from
custody and it ia understood the indict-
msnt against Dave Station will be
nollied. There is no prospect of en- OUT
break at present, but 10 care any further
arrests sreattempted interesting news msy
be locked for.
A HEAVY ROBBERY.
Wednesday night last Gilmore Outright,
an old man who residaa with his xiEa ahout