The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-06-28
IN OHIO
GOLCONpM

Alingo county people were aghast
when they learned that Gracious Ma
euire had obtained an option on the
Frobisher farm, for the story OF the
p-ide and fall of Peter Frobisher was
st1ll fresh in their minds. Only year
before the old dry goods merchant be-
can to build what he called .sthe finest
residence in southern Ohio. A storm
OF indignation had swept over the
cornty when it was announced that the
house would be erected upon an Indian
mound. There are all kinds Of uncan-
ny legends connected with the earth
works scattered by a prehistoric race
throughout southern Ohio.
Not a man in Valley City could be
hired to dig the cellar, and Frobisher
had to send to Rand Run for some of
she Poles. They had no scrnples for
the reason that the legends of the
moand builders were to them sealed
books. The laborers dug down eight
feet to a pocket of white sand, in which
they found human skull, various
strange looking implements, an altar
OF sun dried bricks and tablet, shap-
ed Ike the sounding board of bass
viol and covered with hieroglyphics.
The news of the discovery spread all
over the countryside. The farmers
after dark avoided the road which
passed the desecrated Indian mound.
The masons and the carpenters employ
ed in building the house vent away half
an hour earlier than customary to keep
from being ON unhallowed ground after
sunset.
All this amused Gracious Mcguire.
He could have rifled 100 Indian mounds
and felt no tremor of the nerves. His
life had been the road of the rough. He
had been found "a years before in
basket at the railroad crossing. Around
his neck were chain of gold and a
locket, which were promptly confscat-
{ ed by the tfackwalker who discovered
him The Presbyterian minister, re-
minded by this action of the historic
remark of Cornelia, the mother of the
G-acclii, named the foundling Gracious.
Mcguire was the name of the last man
who was killed at the crossing.
Gracious Mcguire was reared III the
Mingo County Orphans home. AT the
age of ii he was taken into Peter Fro
bisher's dry goods store as an errand boy
He had taste for learning, saved his
money, and with the aid of FrobisEer
made his way through college. He was
in Valley City teaching school in order
to get funds to carry him through a
course of medicine.
Mcguire took a lively interest III
ss,he things which were found in the an
ciept landmark, which he called sac
riscial mound. He even read paper
upon the subject before the State Archie
ological society, in which he said that
the finding of the tablet amply. demon
strated that the mound builders had a
written language. The symbols upon
the tablet consisted of an oar, war
clab and rude altar, which he trans
lated to mean that vengeance would
fall upon the man who disturbed the
ancient sacrifice. The rendering aston
ished Peter Frobisher little. He was
still further surprised by remarkable
phenomenon which he noticed shortly
before the house was completed.
A black scum had been noticed FROM
tine to time upon a spring back OF the
old homestead. Mcguire and Frobisher
were standing by this spring one day
when the young man lighted a cigar
and tossed away the burning match
There was slight explosion. A blue
fame rested over the water for mo-
ment and disappeared. Frobisher paled
a5 the sight.
do you believe it?'' he exclaimed.
.sDo you think that this place is cursed
by Injun spirits!''
s.Nonsense!" replied Mcguire. 'Come
Sc think of if. remember that l was
cleaning an old coat down here with
oenzine. You will have to see more
tran that before you can Relieve all this
old woman's talk about the mound
51ilders. -
The new dwelling, when completed,
fulfilled the fondest hopes Of the Fro
bishers. It could be seen for miles over
the country At night. when the lamps
in the frcnt hall were lighted, CLEANS
Of yellow, red and cobalt shone through
the colored glass on either side Of the
great front door. At the suggestion OF
Gracious Mcguire the new house was
christened "Moundmere. Z" on account
of its site and because it was not far
away from horse pond.
The Frobishers had their house
warming in the form of an afternoon
reception, in Difference to the prejudices
Of the villagers. The guests came with
trepidation. The Widow Sinpkins was
observed to look furtively about her be-
tween the serving of the chicken salad
and the ..passing'' of the ice cream.
Miss Belinda Sommers uttered u pierc-
ing shriel, and nsarly tainted when Il
table was accidentally overturned. AS
evening approached the guests fastened
10 take their departure.
Sam johnson, the nearest neighEor,
was awakened shortly after midnight
oy some one pounding at his door. He
opened it, and Rebecca Frobisher fell
fainting across the threshold. Behind
her. with eyes in which there was a