Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1902-06-05
!: Jacob Gar|and's Ghost. |
BY PHILIP LITTLE.
EIKTHAT do I know about ghosts?

EEIETHAT do I know about ghosts?
wv Well, not much, perhaps, but
I'll tell you of an experience of a
friend of mine, and you can explain it
as you like" and the speaker, a tall,
thin, cadaverous-looking man, I'M
wound himself from his chair,
walked to the fire, took up a live coal
in the tongs, lit his pipe, reseated
himself, crossed one leg over the
other, and having taken a sip of hot
whisky, prepared to m his
tale.
He was one of six or seven seated
in front of q great open fire in the
kitchen of a smart roadhouse, hardly
to be dignified with the name inn, in
western Missouri. The month was
November; it was a dreary, wet,
blowy night, and the rain beat
against the side of the house heavily.
Now and then a shutter, loosed
from it's ~fastenings, banged ftfully,
almost complainingly, against a win
dow. None of the party moved to
make it fast, however, as the warmth
of the large fire had charms of a
More potent nature.
"As l said" continued the long
man, "you can explain 1t as you
choose; I can only tell the story.
Landlord"
''The story, the story" chorused
his audience as they drew their chairs
in a half circle closer to the fire and
the story teller.
ga friend Of mine," began the long
man quietly, "about a year and a
half ago moved himself and family
to a small mining town, where he
was to take charge as engineer and
superintendent Of one of the lead
mines of the group close by.
"After he had been there a short
time there was q call for more hands,
so he purchased a large, unoccupied
house in a somewhat isolated posi-
ton, the owner of which had died I'M
der suspicious circumstances some
years before, and the house had been
occupied by family after family in
rapid rotation. They said the house
was haunted. For a long time it had
remained unoccupied, and the owner
was willing to part with it for a
song. "a.
"It mad belonged to an old man, ia
cob Garland by name, who lived
there with his wife and one colored
woman named 'Luenshy.' Luenshy's
real name was found to be Lucretia
Maria Pendleton. The old couple
lived a most retired life and Jacob
Garland was understood to have ac-
cumulated quite a property.
"The house was a somewhat pre-
tentious one, set back from the road
and surrounded by a good deal Of
land. Besides the house there was a
small barn, which, however, was
empty. Directly back of the house,
perhaps an eighth of a mile, was a
graveyard.
"The old man was misery, but no
one knew what he did with his
money, us UHcTC WAS Ho DdHh HedIDy,
and he seldom left home, and then
only for q short time.
HE appeared to have NJ relations,
at least none who visited him.
"One day a stranger appeared in
town and inquired for Garland's
house. He rode d good looking horse
and led another, upon which was
strapped his pack. 1t vas evident
that he had travelled from a distance.
He was tall and well made, with black
hair and beard and dark eyes.
upon the house being pointed
out, he rode up to the door; it was
opened by Luenshy, whose black face
took on a look Of surprise when the
stranger spoke. She ushered him in,
however, and the door closed on
Sherr After some delay 1t was again