The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-04
1 GLOOMY PRAIRIE.
An Exciting Incident Where Ed
ward Illston Was Murdered.
FARMER COULTIS IS STOPPED

BY a Human Form That Seized His
Horses Bride Bfts-The Man, Rob-
ber or Otherwise, Seems to. Spring
from the Ground and Disappears
Without Saying Word.
Something has occurred which makes
the place where the cruel murder of Ed
ward Iliston was committed place to be
Stunned and many people whose road
leads by the place drive miles around
rather than pass the spot at night
Tho horror of the locality might have
worn away had it not been for the expert
ence of W. II. Coultis, prosperous farm
er living near Richland, few nights ago.
His standing in the community makes
questioning the truth of his statements
beyond reason.
He had been in Topeka with load of
produce and drove two horses. He was
detained in disposing of his load and so
it was nearly dark when he left the city.
This fact did not trouble him for he had
often driven the twelve miles to his
home in the night and he had no fear of
either losing his way or being robbed.
He carried the proceeds of his load in
his pocket.
As he turned the corner of the road
mile west of where the murder of Ed
ward Illston was committed the moon
came out from behind the clouds aud the
shadows from the telegraph poles fell
directly across his path. He watched
them awhile and then his mind turned to
the murder. the boy had driven with
his load of sand down that same road.
Mr.. Coultis had crossed the little ra-
vine and was nearing the place where
the murder was committed He tried to
make out at which telegraph pole the
body had been rolled under the fence,
and was not far from the corner where
the road turns south when suddenly
form appeared before him and grabbed
his horses by the bits.
Mr. Coultis is not cowardly, but his
hair rose little under his hat. He had
no weapon and his only thought was
that he was to be robbed. He sat in his
seat, paralyzed with fear, while the mys-
terous individual held his team. Final
", when the stranger made no move
ment, Mr.. Coultis regained his compos-
ure enough to ask:
"Who are you and what do you want?"
The mau released his hold On the
horses but he did not speak. He stood
Tor an instant in the road aud then walked
toward Coultis. AS he approached him
he raised his head and looked the fright
ened man in the face.
In an instant Coultis' whip descended
on the back of his horses and they sprang
forward in gallop. The man or form
made no attempt to stop him
and as Coultis turned the
corner he glanced back and
saw the stranger standing in the road
The farmer drove the five miles to his
home somewhat faster than he would
have done under other circumstances,
but no one followed him aud next day he
told his experience to some of the neigh
bors, and the entire neighborhood is
somewhat excited over the matter.
Coultis himself is unable to explain
the sudden appearance of the man.
He says that he seemed to
come from the side of the road,
| but he did not see him until he started
to walk toward the team. He is not able
to give very accurate description of the
stranger but says he was a rather short
man.
A few superstitious people in the
neighborhood think that the appearance
was supernatural and even those who do
net believe in the supernatural are not
anxious to pass the place after night
It is one of the most desolate that can