The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-11-22
q PHANTOM SOLDIEK.
Loudon County, Tenn, Ierrorizcd oy
Supernatural Visitor

Supernaturai Visitor
Sweetwater, Tenn, November Live
cent circumstances have brought to hght
the brutal murder of lieutenant OF CON
federate cavalry by John Duncan, notorl-
Gus bandit and bush whacker, near this place
during the war.
The truth of the murder can be fully
established even at this late date, by living
witnesses, who reside i'll the fifth district
of London county, and by the lone grave IN
the woods containing the skeleton OF the
unfortunate soldier. The history OF the
murder, as gathered by your correspondent,
is as follows:
THE bandit, Duncan, was the terror OF
piney and known to have killed many men
in cold blood for trifIng sums of money, Il
few trinkets and, sometimes Tor nothing
at all.
Upon one occasion q man named II. Rob
inson, still living near here, saw Duncan
pass along near a clearing, where he was
making boards, having IN custody Il mount
ed confederate lieutenant OF cavalry,
whom he had evidently taken by surprise,
as he rode close behind him and had his
Kentucky rifle pointed at him.
After they had passed about an hour
Duncan was seen coming back, riding the
horse the soldier had been mounted upon
the spurs attached Duncan did not see
Robinson, who hid himself in the under
brush. fearing death at the hands of the
close, III fact, that he noticed blood on the
horses neck.
At the time of the murder the spot where
the crime was committed was a dense for
rest, where even the boot Of the owls could
be heard at midday, and where the whip
pOOr-WillS held reyeI.
portion of this land was cleared by one
John Sherold. who now lives near the sol
dIerS lonely grave. Last spring his son was
married and erected Il small house near his
premises. " hlie clearing up the uudeIbruSh
around his house he found place where
the carlA had evidently been disturbed, and
by its appearance he conceived the idea that
it was grave. He says he arrived at this
conclusion because, even in his time, and
perhaps even II lac present time, tide moon
sinners have removed" persons whose pres
ence in their midst was Objectionable, and
they have been DureN where obey tell.
Sherold procured Il pick and shovel and
after working for only a few minutes I'M
earthed human skeleton. The skull was
IN an excellent state of preservation, as well
as the larger bones, but the smaller OnS
crumbld CT broke in piecse when touched.
Careful search revealed several buttons, q
belt clasp and something that may have
been a suspender buckle. The remains were
carefully relnterred, a neat mound formed
and the spot held sacred by those III the
vicinity.
Shortly after the discovery of the grave,
as Sherold and his wife We're sitting by the
stove about s o'clock in the evening, they
were paralyZed by fear at beholding the
form Of a soldier in his bare feet. apparent
~ coming through the door. The appari-
ton remained i'll plain view for several
minutes and then seemed to dissolve into the
air.
1t may be remarked here that Sherod
and his entire family bear an unimpeacha-
bic reputation. and although superstitious,
are known to be truthful.
Both husband and wife We're afraid to
speak Of the occurrence to their npighbOrs
and were afraid to remain in the house
However. they mustered up courage to do
so and had no sooner ightcd the candle
than the figure appeared again.
For nearly SIX months DOW the form of
the murdered soldier has appeared at the
settlers cabin. Sometimes a heavy tread
can be heard, but generally all is perfectly
quiet.
body falling and struggling Oh the ground.
and then all was still.
Sherold could stand this no longer, end
informed his neighbors. AT first they We're
inclined to ridicule him, but noticing the
earnestness of both his wife and himself
they agreed to watch with them. The APP
paration appeared as usual and was dis
tinctIy seen by the five men present. The
next night ten men of undoubted probty
performed the vigil, and the phantom ap-
reared as usual, TO the terror of the be-
holders.
A consultation was held q week ago yes
terday. The facts could not be controvert-
ed and Sherod has abandoned his house,
and David, Miller, who lives on the adJoin-
ing farm, has also moved.
Sherold. ST., a truthful and honest man,
confirms the whole story.
These are the plain, unvarnished facts,
call it a ghost story or what you please.
Those who doubt the statements are wei
come ot any time to occupy the cabin,
which is in perfect order and only awaits
an occupant.