Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-01-26

in baunShee and boyle; therefore, II Is
not to be wondered that descendants OF
the two should see more than other
folks, and have many a legend OF
haunted houses and witched souls.
"Wf mair o horrible and aufu,'
| Which cen to name wad be unlawful
There was a great excitement among
the people of Bullock's Creek, in the
immediate vicinity Of Adam Meek's.
In Gordon's Old Field, which had for
years been a large open barren, and
through the middle Of which ran a
road, an apparition had appeared to
many. Indeed, every one who, for
some weeks past had, after dark set in.
been travelling that way, were sure to
see the phantom-shape, at which sight
they hesitated not to confess, they in
variably put whip to their horses, or
flight in their heels, and made off with
all speed till they could reach the
wood which skirted the field around,
for this was the limit Of the ghosts
walk; as when they drew near the
shadows Of the friendly forest, 1t van
ished.
Some faint-hearted, but reliable
neighbor. was relating to Mr.. Meek a
view he had Of the spectre few nights
before, as he passed along the road
through the old field.
What did it say?" inquired the lis
tener.
II never stopped to let it get near
enough to hear a word from It," was
the candid reply.
"Well! if ever I see it, I will talk
with It," quoth the bolden spirit of
Adam Meek.
1t was not long afterward, he told
the brother (who narrated the tale to
me) that he had one evening been de-
tained till late hour, and it was dark,
when, on his way home, he entered the
haunted old field. About the middle he
deserted the ghost approaching. He
stopped his horse and waited until 1t
came up to his side. He and the ghost
conversed together, and 1t accompanied
him to the woods, a distance Of 200
yards, talking all the while, when 1t
disappeared. He came on home, but
the substance Of the discourse he said
he could not then reveal; but perhaps,
later, he might be able to do so.
Mr.. James Meek said that an uncom-
mon amount of fraternal affection and
confidence existed between his brother
and himself, in all the concerns Of life.
From boyhood they had been used to
repose all trust in one another-neither
l~Lo hn nfh h
er; therefore, he knew II 1t were possi-
BILE or right, his brother would not con-
ceal any part Of the matter from him.
Some weeks after his interview with
the apparition in Gordon's Old Field,
Mr.. Meek left homeland was gone
nearly two months; and still, after his
return, never divulged the meaning Of
his long absence as to where he had
been or for what purpose. In reply to
questions on the subject from his fam
| lily and brother, his answer was. II
cannot tell you now-I may before I
die; but that is not certain. This can
tell you, the ghost at Gordon's Old
Field will never be seen again. I can
assure the vicinity 1t has been seen for
the last time"
It was even so The road through
the old field lost its terrors to the be-
lated traveller, whether riding or walk
| ing, for the specter visitant was seen
no more from that time forth.
The mysterious interview and jour-
ney Of Mr.. Meek, his brother thought
had some connection with the ghost
of Gordon's Old Field, but no explana-
tion was ever made, as he died with
out ever giving any further account Of
either. There was certainly some
thing strange in the tale, but his
strength Of mind gave him some
knowledge his neighbors were afraid
to fathom. What this was-some
promise made, perhaps, or his discre-
tion-made it undesirable for him to
repeat.
WITCH STORY.
This weird story brings to my mind
one my step-mother used often to tell.
It happened before she married my
father, and she herself was present at
the scene. The narration never lost in
terest to me, as I knew the people
wnom 1t concerned. After hearing It.,
I would creep to bed, my excited imag-
ination easily conjuring each gust of
the wind, rustling through the trees,
to be some old witch on her broom
stick, who might come down the CHM
ney and ride me away.
Old Mr.. Rainey, who lived in the Be-
thesda congregation, believed himself
bewitched. He was, for many years, a
weakly, sickly man, and all his all
ments were, by the whole community,
attributed to the power Of old Balsey
Fox, a noted witch, who lived in the
"Black Jacks" The only way to re-
move the spell was, by some means to
obtain the benediction Of God bless
you" from the old sorceress. To do
this, some scheme must be fallen upon
to entrap her into it unawares, as, OF
course, she would not voluntarily abb
jure her dominion over him.
A plan was conceived Of inviting all
the women Of the neighborhood, within
circuit to include old Mrs. Fox, to
meet at his residence on certain day,
the object Of which was generally
known. A large concourse assembled
] men as we'll as women-but the witch,
alas! was not among them; and with
out her presence the rest could avail
nothing for the intention had been
that each woman Of the assembly
should lay their hands on the sick man
and say God bless you" 1t had been
thought the hag would be ashamed and
afraid not to do as the rest; and on the
pronouncing the holy name her reign
would be ended. Old Mrs. Fox did not
come, and what was to be done?
Among those whom friendship and Gu
riosty had brought to the scene, was
COLONEL Edward Lacey. He declared