The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-12-20
"THocKmORTOx'S GHOST"
4 Word Old Story Revived by the BIZ
mingham Tragedy.
New York World.

i Throckmorton, killed at Birmingham,
Ala, on Saturday night while entreat-
ing the mob not to attack the Jail, re-
calls story as strange as anything in
fction-a story as full of dramatic
scenes and incidents as anything that
was ever produced upon the stage and
which has been four times brought by
tragedy to the memory of those who
disliked most to hear it.
1t was nearly forty years ago that
Major John Thockmorton, son of Aris
Thockmorton and uncle OF the young
man killed at Birmingham, was one of
the leaders in the brilliant society Of
the old South. He was rich, witty,
handsome. He was the finest type Of
the Southern gentleman, impulsive,
generous, kind of neart and open Of
hand. He was connected by blood and
marriage with every prominent South
ern family from New Orleans to Louis
vile, and when he came back from
college to live among his people the
fa:rest prospect was spread out before
him. He went 10 to enjoy life, and as
he had ample means and was well
come guest wherever he chose to go,
time slipped by pleasantly enough.
Just when pretty Ellen Goodwin
came into his life no one ever koew.
In all the fierce light that afterwards
beat upon them, their earlier Intimacy
remained forever buried in mystery,
and both carried the secret to their
graves. Ellen Goodwin lived near LOU
isville, and was remarkable for her
beauty and the gentleness of her dis
position. She was we'll connected and
had small fortune in her own name.
Friends Of Thockmarton saw them to-
gether for time, and then suddenly
their intimacy was discontinued.
Thockmoiton left Louisville on pleas
ure trip and did not return for several
months.
One stormy, clustering night in Jan
uary,, when the snow was beating
against the window panes and The peo-
pie were hurrying into blazing fires,
Thockmorton returned to Louisville
and went direct to the Gault House, a
hotel owned by his father. When he
entered his room he happened to glance
ac 'oss the street. He saw a woman
standing motionless beside gas lamp
directly opposite. She was dressed in
black, and though he could not see her
face be recognized the outlines of her
figure. She stood there 80 silent and
spectre-like that be became fascinated
and watched her for hours. That was
the first night that "Thrc ckmorion's
Ghost" was seen.
1t was the esinOing of what wa7 to
last without interruption for twenty
years. The dark shadow that he saw
from his hotel window that night was
to follow him all over the world; it was
to be with him in the blaze of noon
and ia the darkest hou.s Of the night; he
was to see it in every capiiali in Europe;
it was to be close behind him in bis
most secret moments; it was to mingle
with his own shadow so that in a de-
lirium of terror he would wonder if his
mind were not deselting him, and if
both shadows were not one and the
same. 1t was in vain that he tied to
put oceans between him and his awful,
phantom-l;ke pursuer; iii vain that
every resource of mooey wa. tried;
from that first stormy January night
John Throckmorton was never for one
moment alone.
1t was wonderful how she appeared
to know of his movements. If he
would suddenly decide to go to parry
she would be ,anding Oh the opposite
side of the street when he got out of his
carriage. 1fhe remained in his hotel
fo4' days, and if then, ia the dead of
night, he slipped out by a side en-
trance, she would be close behind him.
Her appearance on the street. became
so common in Louisville that people
merely glanced at her carelessly as she
fitted by. As the years passed her
very name was forgotten, and she was
only known as "Th,ockmorton's S
Ghost" Sometimes, when she would
be waiting for him, children would
gather about her, and often boys would
boot and taunt her; but she never com-
| planned, and no man ever heard the
sound Of her voice.
The weather never appeared to incon-
venience her. She often would stand
for hours in the midst of driving rain
or hail, without shelter of any kind,
apparently oblivlous ofeve:ything save
the man she was following. She al
ways wore the same heavy black
dress, with black hat, and a thick,
black veil, which concealed her face.
At first Throckmorton attempted to
laugh the matter off. The woman was
cEack-brained creature, who would
grow tired after time, he said. He
could keep it up if she could. If it
amused her he didn't object. Thus be
reasoned at first, but soon became res
tive and then it grew to be a deadly
offense to mention the subject in bis
presence. At last he determined 20 60
abroad. He made all his arrangements
with the utmost secrecy, not even tell
ing his most intimate friends, and did
not rest until he had put the Atlantic
between him aad what had grown to
be horrible nightmare. He went
straight to London, and the first per-