Year: 1875




with the abduction seduction and subsequent nhuman
treatment OF girl the daughter OF William Miller pro
prietor OF the hotel in the above village stevenson
was hired by Miller his hoster soon after he np-
peared in Millersburg; and although ne was iuli-
booded specimen his race with brutal features and
massive frame, owing TO the possession OF singular
gifts or wit and humor and great musical ability, he
became quite avorite IN the ncighborhood
Priscilla Miller aged fifteen years, was an
exception TO the general rule, however and
carly formed great aversion to the negro.
The girl while possessing remarkable personal attrac
tions intellectually strong, owing early
afliction Stevenson, noticing that she Stunned him
and plainly expressed dislike TO him, lost oppor-
tunty to obtrude himself her attention. This ex-
cited nothing than passing comment in the fam
lily, and all ridcucd Priscilla for her aversion to the
hostler


FRIsCILLA's DTsAPPEARASCE


About the lst of February last the girl started 10
walk to neighbours, about mile distant, on an er-
rand IL quite late in the day when she started,
but there was abundant for her to walk the dis
tance and return before dark Night fell, however,
and sho had not yet returned, and her
father, supposing she had stayed at the neigh
boris until she afraid TO start back, proceeded
thther 10 fetch her home He learned after reaching
there that his daughter had started away hour
before. Mr. Miller became alarmed and hurried back
only to find that the girl had not yet reached homo,
nor had not been or heard ofby any ono II was
then remembered by Of the family that about half
hour after Priscilla started for the neighbours
Stevenson walked lelsurey field to piece of
woods through which the girl had TO pass But
he had been back home some time, and then
engaged in doing up his evening work usual,
n suspicion that he knew something OF her dis
appearance did not gain much strength among the
family. He called and sharply questioned how
ever, but gave a cool and straightforward account
of his absence and denied that he had the girl 80
away, or that he knew she was away.


The alarm made general in the village, and
parties turned out to hunt tor the missing girl
Greeneaf who had been working in the woods that
afternoon said that he had heard two loud screams
about the time Priscilla must have reached that
part Of the road, but he supposed they camc from
school children thor way home, and thought
nothing about IT, One OF the searchers found, not far
from the road mitten which was known to belong to
the missing girl, and which she wore when she went
away. Beyond that nothing was seen or heard Of her
although the woods secured all night


THRILLING MYSTERY.


Notwithstanding the declarations of the negro that
he ignorant Of the whereabouts Of the GIRL the be-
lief gradually grew stronger that he the Of



have a watch kept on his actions He re-
NAMED about tho hotel during the next day, attending
TO his work. jolly and careless He slept in
apartment in tho stable and about halfpast eight
went bed the night after the girl disappeared Next
morning he did not make his appearance usual, and
Investigation showed he had taken a horse and
wagon from the premises some time during the night
without the knowledge Of any about the house. and
had gone one knew whittier.


1t was clear to every one that Stevenson had
made away with the girl but whether he had murdered
her her in tho woods somewhere and taken
her away with him in the wagon, was Of course, un-
known. Many held that he had doubt violated
and then muvdercd her and secreted her body in the
woods. Another search through the woods revealed
yeveral evidences Of struggles among the leaves
spot there pools Of blood. But the body OF
The girl could not be found The negro could only be
traced with the wagon short distance from the village
but the following spring the wagon was found in the
woods in the eastern boundary of the county the
Busquehunna River, and the OF the horse,
which had been released from the vehicle and tied
tree Nothing was heard OF Stevenson atterward and
became the general belief that he had murdered
the girl made away with the body in some way and
then fed the country.


THE BLACK FIESp's ARREST.


About two weeks ago, however, news was received
by Mr.. Miller, from Harrisburg that the negro in
that city, working in the Lochel Iron Works
rant was made out for his arrest and placed in the
hands Of officer, who uncle Of tho supposed
murdered girl Obtaining the aid Of officer N Har-
risburg he proceeded the iron works. He learned
that Stevenson worked there but had removed to
Turkey Hill, Lancaster county The discovery was
also made that there with him white girl and
a black when he lived in Harrisburg. The

could not approach to Turkey Hill than ten
miles with their wagon, and were compelled to walk
that distance, reaching the spot near dnight They
found miserable hut where some twenty Ave negroes
were packed together, having dance. Stevenson
not there, however, but OF the negroes directed
the officers 70 another hut near by, where he said
Stevenson lived. They proceeded the spot indicated
and effected an entrance They found Stevenson lying
on the floor with the missing girl IN his arms. Her
arms were tied behind her and her feet strapped to-
gether When sho the entrance Of the officers sho
seemed to divine that it aid Tor her, and she
shouted, as she attempted to get upon her feet


''rm going home I'm going homel"


Stevenson was asleep when the officers entered tho
room; but the screams or the girl awoko him and lie
sprang TO his feet and drawing razor warned tho
men not TO approach or touch HIM The levelling OF
revolver at mis- head caused him to retreat from his
40
and surrendered Tho girl was released from the rome
AMI straps which bound her and she seemed almost
wild with JOY. She had recognized her uncle AZ
hrst but when she did she threw her arms about his
neck and begged to bo taken home.


THE ABDUoToRs STORY


Stevenson was taken to Harrisburg, and the next day
brought here and LOGGED in Jail He declares that tho
girl expressed Willingness to 90 away with him and
that he met her in the woods by appointment She
consented TO be hidden in crevice in tho
rocks until he could join her Ho had supplied her
with food he said tho night they searching for
her in tho woods. He accompanied party to tho
woods aud showed them the spot whore the girl
concealed. His story that her going with him
voluntary tho whole attending circumstances disprove.
wad Of cloth and soled handkerchief were found at
the cave where tho girl hidden which there is no
'oubt were used gag to prevent her crying out.