Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-09-08
A HEADLESS GHOST.
A THRILLING LEGEND OF SOUTH
WEST VIRGINIA.
Gorge and Its History
A story of Trcachery md nm En-
countcr with Indians, Ending In
q, Wedding.
a Wedding.
written for the Dispatch)

looking places TO be met with IN any
mart OF the country than what i. known
as Johnson's GORGE. II consists OF mar
row gap or pass IN the mountains OF scout
county, Va, apparently having peeh CUT
down by the stream that flows 'hro's'
IL. flashing Itself into fury as IL uuhu'iS
over its rocky bed and around the juttinS
cliffs. seemingly in a mad hurry TO escape
the ehostly gloom that perpstually en-
vclops the place.
on either side tho cliffs rise 10 a great
height. and meander in such a way 'ia'
during the greater part Of the year me
strusgllng sunbeams fail to reach the
depth. OF the giant chasm.
About 20 feet up the eastern acclNlty
is a small plateau about thirty ieet
square. and. slngularly enough, thero is
a rude natural stairway formed by
lodges OF rocks leading up 10 this
plateau. which can be easily assembled by
men Of steady heads and nimble feet.
Back OF this plateau is the mouth OF
q spacious and wonderful cave. which has
been explored 10 the depth Of nearly D
mile. and which bears unmistakabla evil
dence of having once been the abode OF
an ingeniou, and wsrlike people.
1t is little more than q mile from the
low, irregular Mills that fringe its north
ern entrance 10 whore the gorge opens
out into beautiful valley, now under
q high state OF improvement, and en-
bellished with peaceful and happy homes.
A GHOST STORY.
AS It is 10 be expeG,'s. Of a place OF
such gloomy and ioIbldding appear
ance, Johnson's Gorge has a ghost story
ghost story OF the widest ard most
frightful character. Children shudder and
creep closer to their mothers knees at
night when the place is mentioned. and
many strong men could not be induced
TO go near the vicinity after nighttal
The ghost Is Represented as a headless
monster of giant proportions. and hume
rous stories are told 81 horrible deaths
met there IN former times BY adven-
turous spirits who dared the dangerous
gloom" Even In the present generation
hunters have frequently been driven
from tho surrounding forests by the fabu-
lOus monster.
Ghost stories u,uclly have their origin
In some tragic event. superstition work
Ing upon the fonclful minds OF succeed
d tale 0; horror. The ghost OF Johnson's
Gorge had its origin In an event Of
treachery and bloodshei enacted there
prior 10 the settlement OF the surrounding
country by the whites. As handed down
by tradition, making due allowances for
eXaggeration. the story Is substantially
as follows:
Prom the settlements farther east one
balIny morning In early spring \ little
company Of about ten families .tartel
forth, carrying their small stores with
them. 20 seek new homes toward the
setting sun. They had heard OF the
fertile and lovely Wales nestled among
the mountains farther west, anl decided
70 try their fortunes there, notwlthstanI-
ins the perils they knew would attend
the enterprise.
RICHARD JOHNSON.
Among those hardy pioneers was a
youth named Richard Johnson. who was
noted FOR his .hrewJness. bravery. aui
endurance. and who soon became the
leading spirit in the advsnturou. under
taking. Handsome and manly In appear.
ance, with n keen eye that easily rem
dered him the best shot In the company
and possessing lively and fUn-lovlng
disposition that enabled him 10 expel the
gloom from the ebb!ng spirits OF his
friends on the tollsome journey, Il IL
little wonder that the sparkling eyes Of
the fair portion OF the little band grew
brighter In his presence.
Ii was Johnson's variable custom
when tho emiGrants encampad for the
night 10 make a wide reconnaissance
TO ascertain whether any foe Turk
Ell in the vicinity. for II was at a
time when the feelings OF the Indians
were not altogether favorable 10 the white
intruders, and he was the first 10 spring
20 his feet with his trusty rife in hand
upon any unusual sound breaking the still
ness OF the night Thus ne soon came 20
be looked upon az the guardian spirit Of
the company. which he. indeed. proved
himself TO be ere tho end OF the adven-
ture.
Another character IN the company was
a tall. swarthy, and unprincipled man
named David Steers. He was several
years the senior OF johnson, and was a
thorough scout. He had been among the
Indians a great deal. and undere TODD their
characteristics much better than any one
else in the company. He possessed a
wonderful facility for ingratiating himself
Into the good graceS Of the red warriors.
and wsnt among them with perfect I'm
punity. OF his antecedents the company
knew very little. lie joined them on the
morning of thor departure FOR the West.
assuring them of his knowledge OF the
country through which they Vers going.
and offsrirg them whatever assistance
he was capable Of rendering. Thus he
at once became quite a hero. and 1t can
not be denied that his services for A
time were very valuable 10 his compan-
ions.
AN UESCRUPULOUS VILLAIN,
Steers envied Johnsons popularity. but
concealed his enmlty. openly protesting
great friendship for the youth. Johnson
regarded Steers as a friend and relied on
him as his ablest ally in case Of danger.
This practically put him In the power OF
a most cOnsummate and INSCRIPTIONS
villain. At first Steers simply envied
Johnson's popularity, but circumstances
soon developed his envy into murderous
hatred. Johnson had won the affections
OF a beautiful girl in the company, named
Myrtle Graham, with whom Steers had
fallen madly in love. and the latter soon
determined 10 remove the young man
from his way.
After q toisome journey Of several days
through the unbroken wilderness the emf
grants arrived at the valley near the
entrance 10 the gorge, and seriously con-
templated locating there. so favorably
were they impressed with the surround
ings.
Johnson made long explorations OF the
vicinity. sometimes accompanied by other
members OF the company. but generally
alone. Steers was also quite busy in
looking around, and seemed distracted
and gloomy upon his return 20 the en-
campment. He had little TO say, but his
moodiness was attributed TO some trivial
cause. and very little attention was paid
to IL.