The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1894-05-16

Known to all their Trlends, ana Ietlers
dad frequently passed back and forth
The witnesses were firm in their belief
shat Joseph would have laid down his
own life to save either Of his brothers.
They were men Of gentle and kindly
dispositions, and their love for each
other had always been cause of re-
mark. The only proofs against Joseph
were circumstantial, and they were not
proofs at all when the case came to
trial The only explanation he could
make has already been given. Thomas
had not been feeling well for a couples OF
weeks, and a hunter had told him Of the
medicinal properties Of several roots and
advised him to prepare tonic. This
hunter was in court to corroborate that
portion Of the testimony or explanation,
and Joseph was acquitted i'll a manner
to clear his reputation Of any lingering
doubt and to add to the number of his
friends. People thought he would aban-
don his researches and return to Eng
land, but he decided to continue his ex-
periments and let drop hint that he
was on the eve Of a great discovery.
When Joseph returned to Craig Cas-
tie, as the place on the mountain had
been named, he was accompanied by a
miner named Shores, who was engaged
by the month and bound to secrecy. On
three or four occasions when the man
was in Chambersburg | heard the villa
gers pumping him for information, but
it was very little they got in reply. In
deed he could not have told them any
thing of importance had he been will
ing, as Joseph took care that he should
learn nothing worth communicating
1t was in the spring when Thomas
disappeared, and it was midsummer be-
fore Joseph returned to the mountain.
He did not come down again, but sent
Shores when anything was wanted
Spring came much earlier than usual,
and hunters who visited the castle about
the list of April reported both men we'll
and hard at work. Fifteen days later
Shores appeared in Mercersburg and re
ported that Joseph had disappeared two
days previously in the same mysterious
manner that had characterized the TAX
ing off of his brothers. He had been
roaming around in the afternoon III
search Of freclay to repair the furnace
and on his return had reported a discov-
cry and brought small sample, He set
out next morning with a sack, intend
ing to bring home about 20 pounds, but
had not returned. When he left the
house, he went north over the same path
the others had taken. Shores had search
ed for half day and then become fright
ened and given the alarm.
There are plenty of people yet living
in Chambersburg. Shippensburg, Mer-
cersburg and Green Castle who can re-
call the tremendous excitement that
prevailed for many weeks after. AS soon
as Shores reported that Joseph was miss
ing it was taken for granted that he had
met the same fate as his brothers, and
Of course speculation was rife as to what
that fate was. A man might be lost on
Tuscarora mountain, but he could not
wander in any direction for more than
day without finding relief. Joseph
knew the country well, and that he had
gone straight to the bed of fireclay, dug
the quantity desired and then started
for home was speedily ascertalned as
soon as the search was begun. Certain
people were inclined to throw out dark
hints about Shores, but they were
promptly squelched. Nothing was miss
ing from Joseph's personal effects, and
Shores evidently had nothing to conceal
People again turned out by skies and
dozens and scores to explore the noun
tain. My father was elected captain Of
party of eight, and went along with
them. We took tents and a supply OF
provisions and prepared for the most
minute search. AT least five other par
ties were similarly equipped, strung out
on the crest Of the mountain for dis
lance of 25 miles, Other parties searched
the foothills and ravines and the coun-
try to the east and west Of the noun
tain. The general search lasted for two
weeks, but a number Of people continue
it for full month. Not the slightest
trace or information was had and 1t
was generally believed that the mystery
would never be cleared up.
Two months after Joseph's disappear
ance a LAWYER came from England to
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