Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-05-19
A QUEER FREAK.
A POOL OF PATHOMLESS DEPTH, AND AN OLD
LANDMARK,
Suddenly Goes Dry and Fills up With Earh-A
Woman Burned 10 Death-A Girl
Killed-The Criminal
Record.

lineton. near the Big Spring, in Pocahon-
tas county. a well or pool of water, the
depth Of which was never ascertained by
the Oldest inhabitants or their ancestors,
though many efforts were made so TO do.
1t was about fifty feet in circumference and
the water perfectly black in appearance,
although quite clear when taken out
Hence it was called the BLACK Hole. IL
was located on a fiat piece OF ground al the
foot Of Middle mountain The water stood
about two feet from the surface, and was
never known TO get higher or lower
Around il was favorite place for cattle to
lie down. and although water was scarce
In that immediate locality, and the hole
never fenced or otherwise enclosed, stock
were never known 10 approach IL TO drink.
II is located but a short distance from the
nublic road. and strangers, who had seen
an account of IL, in Homes History OF
Virginia or heard il from other sources,
often stopped in the road, and visited thls
pool Of water A few days ago, WIN. a.
Warner, who lives on the farm, was passing
by to salt his cattle, and discovered that
the earth had fallen in around IT, the water
aIl gone the Hole filled up 10 within about
l5 or 20 feet Of the top and so dry that the
earth nj the bottom was cracked. On the
mountain side, few hundred yards from
this Hole is perpendicular cavern, and per
sons who have dropped rocks therein have
imagined that they could hear the rocks fall
I'm water at a very great distance, and the
theory is. that by reason Of the quantity or
rain that has fallen in the last year, that a
vein of water from this cavern, had found
its way 10 the Black Hole, passing through
the same. and this belief is sustained by
the fact that two wet weather springs that
came out about one mile south, ran muddy
water one whole day, a few days before
Mr. Warmers discovery, while all the other
streams were perfectly clear
George Henderson, Of TAYLOR county,
who has been figuring, ciphering and long
ing to get into State prison, has about ac-
complished his desires. His latest infrac-
ton of the law is in marrying widow
Mrs. Miller, Of Newburg, one day last week
at Oakland, while he has wife living IN
Grafton. She has tried hard TO reform
him. but her efforts have proved in vain,
and should have let him go long ago. How
he succeeded in getting the widow, who,
we are informed, is a respectable woman,
TO believe his stories OF single blessedness.
Is more than can be learned; but true II Is
that George has two wives, but Is debarred
from enjoying the company of either from
a desire Of the officers of the law TO land
their game
Last week three negroes working on the
railroad near Clarksburg wallopped col
ored citizen of that town, knocked down an
officer who attempted TO carr0l the trio, and
tripped up SQUIRE Perry Camp, who en-
deyored 10 stop them in their wild Hight
for liberty. The Squire was preciptated
headlong into mud puddle, and while
therein yelled TO the bystand-
ers TO 'head 'em OFF - Officer Boggess
welded his mace and two Of the gang bit
the dust He then sent two leaden pills
after the flying form OF the third, but
never touched a hair However, he was
secured. and the triplets were consigned TO
a dungeon cell, from which they were re
leased on payments of heavy fines.
Mrs. Ross, wife Of Mr.. NJ. J. Ross,
blind man, living in Hedgesville, Berkeley
narrowly escaped being burned TO
death one day last week. A swinging coal
oil lamp fell upon table beneath, upon
which was another coal oil lamp, lighted.
The lamps were broken and the escaped
oil became ignited Mrs Ross was sitting
by the table, became enveloped in the
flames. and in her efforts TO find help, ran
into her parlor As il happened, young
lad. about fourteen years of age, Weaver
by name. was outside, and hearing her
cries ran in, and with presence Of mind
wonderful in one so young, snatched up
the piano cover, and by wrapping It around
her extingnished the flames.
One of the saddest accidents which ever
occurred in Putnam county, happened last
Friday afternoon Mrs George Thornton,
Jr, who lives near Oldacre's mill, in Buffa-
10 district, was accidentally burned 10
ieath in a most shocking manner. She was
Il home with her baby and three small
and it is supposed she was taken
with an epileptic ilt and fell into the fire.
The larger children were outside, and hear
ng the baby cry, tried 10 open the door
20 in. but could not a niece who was
,taying there during Mr.. ThorntOn's alb
;ence, came in the evening and found Mrs.
Thornton dead and burned beyond rccomi-
ion.
In the Grafton schools the girls are
aught to sew, to hem, 10 cut, to fill, 10
patch. 10 do embroidery work, etc. and the
loys 10 make squares, rectangles. trian-
,les, circles, cubes, spheres, cylinders and
)ther geometrical solids. After making
hese they have been encouraged 10 exhibit
heir constructive talent in making sleds,
wagons, kites, wheelbarrows, etc, and the
,ystem is found to work admirably and to
he entire satisfaction of teachers, pupils
md patrons. Why should Morgantown not
nave a graded school and manual train
ng department, -Mor0dntown NeW Domfn-
on
The Wayne Neirs tells Of a frightful jour
lev made over the country road from Hunt
ngton 10 Wayne G. II. Two days were
consumed by Contractor Keogle in moving
lis stock. wagons and carts. II was neces-
,ary 10 unload the wagons dozen times ia
order TO draw them out OF the mud. and AT
)ne point il was necessary 20 corduroy "A
piece OF road 10 make IL passable. Men
and animals arrived AT Wayne G. II. In an
condition. No comment is need
ID on the insanity which permits such
roads TO exist.
Geo. Gibson, who resides on Salt Lick
,reek. BraxtOn county, had horse burn
ID TO death, one day last week, under the
following peculiar circumstances: Gibson
lad been clearing and had uproOted a large
rec which left deep pit In the ground.
into this pit brush and logs had been thrown
md set on fire. While plowing near the
place the horse was in some manner thrown
nto the burning pit, and before IL could be-
,xtricated was so badly burned that IL died
short time afterward.
A few nights ago yillainous attempt
vas made TO destroy the barn Of Mr.. James
Randall. who lives in Berkeley county.
A bout = o'clock Mrs. Randall happened 10
10 mn 10 attend a sick person In the house,
when she saw light at the barn. Mr..
Randall and his sons ran out and found
hat the barn had been set on fire in two
places and the straw stack near by in an
,ther Bv hard work they managed 10
ave the barn and its contents from dc
,truction. but the straw was entirely con
iumed.
The Lo9an Banner says: Last week
MAJ. J. A Nighbert sold to Stuart Wood
II Philadelphia. a one-half interest in hi
ands al the mouth Of Pidgeon. This is one
4 the finest bodies Of land in the State.
rhe w. Va. and IrontOn X. X. strikes the
rug fork Of Sandy river at this point
There Is plent Of building room for good
sized city, and we expect IL 10 be the most
important point on the railroad between
oocahontas aud Ironton.'
Among the aged West Virginians dying
asst week were: John b. budding Sr, Of
Cabell county, aged So years; John Griffin,
If Greenbrier county, aged 10 years; Den
lis Foley. Of MonOngalia county, aged ~
1ears: Mrs Samuel West, Of Riyesyille,
Marion county, aged 93 years; Jacob Word
ord. of Barbour county, aged 81 years;
Tohn II. Beckett Of Raleigh county, aged
q years Isaac w. Chapline, Of Shepherds
own, aged - years.