Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-01-07
CHAPTER l.

Burton bank discovered that Martin
CastlctOn, the cashier, had fled, owing
the bank $50, 900, he Immediately called
in the aid Of the detectives and took
every step possible to capture the GRIM
inal and portion at least of the funds.
Two weeks passed without bringing
the first atom of information of the alb
sconder. President Heemance WINGED
under the large expense involved and
was on the point Of dismissing the de-
tectivos, who were probably nursing the
Job when an anonymous letter reached
him stating that CastletOn, instead of
trying to reach Canada or crossing the
ocean, had turned inland, gone to New
Orleans and, ascending the river to a
landing in Mississippi by the name of
Southtield, had gone to the small town
of Aldine.
He travelled under the name of Jared
Cowperthwait, giving out that he was
prospecting through the country with q
view of purchasing cotton land for in
vestment. He would probably remain
in that section for several weeks, and
If prompt steps were taken could read
lily be captured.
1t was foolish to give much credence
to an anonymous letter, but our presi-
dent was so impatient with the dilator1-
ness Of the detectives that he proposed |
should start at once for Aldine.
"You are strong, active and expert in
the use of revolver" he said, "while
Castleton is none of these. Twill attend
to the rcquisitiOD papers and have them
forwarded to Governor McLaurin at
jackson, who will see that they are
promptly indOrsed and awaiting you at
Aldine when you reach there. You
will start at the earliest possible mo.
ment"
The foregoing will explain how it
came about that on a dismal rainy after
noon in autumn l left the Mississippi
steamer Bonnie Belle at the Southtield
landing, being the only passenger who
went ashore at that lonely place. | hur=
ried down the plank, valise in hand
and umbrella lifted. The steamer went
churning up the muddy Mississippi, and
| made my way to the dilapidated inn,
tho only place of entertainment in the
village Of less than dozen houses.
Disappointing knowledge awaited me-
The town of Aldine, which was my
real destination, was 20 miles inland,
and Il stage travelled each way on alter
nate days. 1t was on Monday that
reached Southfield, and the stage had
left that forenoon. 1t would return ON
Tuesday and make it's next trip to AL
dine on Wednesday, / had therefore to
decide whether to stay at the landing
for couple of days or to seek other
means of conveyance. l concluded to
leave the question to the weather and
made myself as comfortable as could
ut the inn, with its half a dozen rough
loungers, white and black mostly, en-
gagged in smoking, drinking the stuff
that passed under the name of whisky
and playing greasy cards,
These men, however, were skilled in
reading weather signs, and they assured
me that the following day would be
clear and cool. Although the roads were
bad had decided to spend the next day
in tramping the 90 miles provided the
sun showed itself The work was not
formidable, and it was more pleasant
| than lounging at the old inn that was
built half century before the war.
Tho morning was delightful In that
| latitude and at that season one expected
hot and oppressive weather, but the
sunshine had tinge of GOODNESS that
made the day an ideal one. With my
| light valise in hand and my slim um
brella serving as walking cane l sci
out for Aldine as soon as my early
breakfast was over.
| soon found myself in one of thu
most lonely and deserted sections o
Mississippi. Here and there the white
cotton bolls showed at the side of tht
road, but only now and then could {
glimpse bo caught of the low fiat build
ings where the planters made theil
homes, with the negro quarters near
For the first five or six miles saw only
two persons, aud they were colOred men,
tramEing across the fields, who looked
curiously at me without speaking.
BY this time | began to feel thu
warmth of the sun and to find my tasl
harder one than had expected. Th'
road was washed out in many places
while deep gullies caused me to maxi
tiresome detours through the fields
Several of the bridges, too, were 81
shaky that 1 crossed them with hesita
tion and misgiving.
Probably little more than half O
the distance was passed and the sui
was nigh meridian when ! came to
fork in the road, where ] paused il
doubt whether to turn to the right o
left Each highway seemed to be equal
ly travelled, though but for the actiol
of the storm this might not have beel
the case.
"No one told me anything abou
this" | muttered, setting down III.
valise, land Pm blessed if l know
which road to take. l can't afford t.
make "A mistake.
The one to the left led through
scraggly patch Of woods, while that OF
my right traversed a more open cou9
try. Still there was no means OF learn
! ing which led to AldiDe, and it is prob