The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-05-20
Fatal STAIRWAY
IN ANCIENT HOME
Residence Near Charlottesville,
Planned BY Jefferson, Contains
Mysterious Death Trap.
A STUDENTS MARROW ESCAPE
Violent Dealt, to Guest Of Houses
First Owner Came Near Re
peating Itself.

There Is an ancient home about seven
miles from Charlottesville, said to have
been planned by jefferson; as a farm to
the, gent leman who mad It built. The
family who live in 1t now are direct de-
sccndants Of the builder The house Is
u stately old brick structure, Gaping n
hill which overlooks n branch OF the
James.
The present owner of the house IS the
father of several very attractive dnugh-
tiers, who are tho objects Of visits from a
great many University students at Char
lottesvlle. Several weeks ago one of
the regular callers induced a friend, who
was a very hard student, and gave none
OF his time to society, to go out with
him and have dinner at the house on the
NIL. After a drive of an hour, the two
arrived at their destination, and being
expected, were warmly received ana
royalty feasted.
After dinner the visitors and young Ia
dies returned to the parlor. 1t was not
long before the heavy student, whose
name was Carter and who was very
Interested in ancient architecture, began
inquiring about the age Of the house,
who planned It, and many other qucs-
tons.
The house was planned by Jefferson"
explained the eldest of the three daugh-
ters, and everything was admirably ar
ranged, except the stairway, leading down
into the dinlng-room. Jefferson, as you
probably know, planned many fine houses
for his neighbors throughout this coun-
try, but he had one weakness which is
common in most Of his structures: and
that was the building of narrow, dark and
generally winding stairways. He SEEM
ed to think little Of how n person was 10
80 up, and down and sacrificed his stairs
for the better arrangement Of rooms and
halls
But your stairway here is very broad
and convenient" replied Carter.
Put in New Stairs.
""Yes. but these now are not the ones
which jefferson built. Our reat-grand-
father had those constructed in 1910, after
a friend who visited him had fallen
down the others and broken his neck
We'll, declare" exclaimed Carter"
this grows interesting. What did you
do with the other stairs?''
"T was Just coming to the most In
teresting part especially as you seem to
take SO much interest in the ancient
and mysterious. The fatal and original
stairway is still IN this house. but no
one has ever trod its steps since 1910; for
at that date our great-granfather had the
lower door removed and the entrance
sealed up, SO that now no one knows ex-
actly where 1t was. The upper door
was merely lockeu and the key thrown
away, and no one since then has ever
tried to open it. You passed the door
as we went down the end of the hall to
the new stairway"
do YOU mean to tell me-" said Carter
that your people have lived h-.. -
their lives without curiosity enough to
| take a peek down that greusome passage?
II lived here day you can bet that
l would have it explored from end to end.
Why, for all you know there might DC q:
hidden treasure at the bottom.''
"or, a CHASTITY skeleton put In Car;er+
friend. 81
Decide to Open the Dood.,
Let's open H." finally suggested the
! curious Carter, and everybody assented
as though they had been SINKING the
same thing.
| Il consider myself an expert on. locks
said Carter, as led by the younger sister.
they started for the hall. For several
years have been making a collection
OF keys Of all kinds and descriptions.
and the idea of door which has been
| left locked for such a long period iii
| terests me immensely
| A moment later Carter was kneeing
before the lock of the doo- IN question.
| The lock was an immense Hir;,ir and
/ was not fitted into the woodwork as
modern ones are. but was merely screwed
| to the panel. Carter stopped down and
/ examined 1t closely.
1T would take ten modern keys to
| make the one that fits this lock. We need
| not have to pick it, however. Get me
screw-drver and will have 1t open in
i no time
A servant was ordered to bring the re
/ qurcd instrument, while the party mpa-
tienty waited for the result At last
the servant returned and Carterswas soon
unscrcwlng the rusty fastenings. After
about five minutes OF dexterous n,anipula-
ton of the screw-driver. Garter removed
the last screw and the lock fell OF with
a rafting clang The student pried the
driver between the door and its case
mcnt and rrenthlessly the onlookcrs
waited for the squeaking Of the. hinges.
The door had settled In It's easement,
and at first refused TO give. SUIT II was
! finally started, and with some effort
slowly drawn back. With the opening
of tho door came n breath OF damp and
musty air. A. narrow and pciTlOusly
steep stairway was disclosed, descending
until 1t finally lost Itself In inky black
ness. 8s5s t&
"Wll somebody please descend and
bring up the chest of gold?" asked Car
ter
And be careful not to stumble over