Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)

1944 / Verhovay Journal

Verhovay Journal

Children's Page

- A NIGHT IN SKULLS COUNTY -It was a warm June evening as my Pontiac rolled into the State of Wyoming. I have been travelling for two whole days and nights, spending most of the nights at some hotels. I was on my way to Clayton City, in Wyoming, in search of an old Indian lady, Karrawaw, to whom my father had given some mysterious package before he died.

When I was thirteen years old, my father told me about my mother’s death that occured when I was a little child, and also that if anything ever happened to him, I was to go to old Karrawaw who would give me the package. Shortly after this my father, too, passed away and I was left to the care of my Aunt Bess. There I lived for five years, and since I have become eighteen last week, in remembrance of my father’s words, I was on my way to Clayton City, Wyoming, searching for old Karrawaw.

I was now very tired and as night was nearing, I yearned for a comfortable bed in which to rést. According to my road-maps Clayton City was just 32 miles away.

' I drove on for about a mile and a half, when I decided I couldn’t go any further without getting food and rest. The country around me was barren and empty, not a human being could I see. I heard only the distant cry of some animals, unknown to me, that caused me to shiver with fright.

I decided to stop at the very next town. How far that would be, I did not know. As I drove steadily along, I thought of many strange things, for instance, the reason for my journey, the Strange box which father had given to old Karrawaw. I wondered why he had given it to her, who lived so far away from home and what it may contain, and why I had to wait until I was 18 before I could claim it?

Shortly I came to an old, seemingly deserted town. An old rusted sign on a cafe read: “All Strangers Are Challenged In Skulls County.” Just the words on the sign gave me the creeps, and when above a deserted old store I read the words: “Skulls County General Store”, I realized that I must have arrived in Skulls County. I never heard about the place and didn’t know anything about it, except, that to me it appeared rather frightening. There was no one in sight and for several minutes I drove around in search of some sort of a hotel, when suddenly I saw a tall, lanky young man, leaning against a very large house, and smoking a pipe. I pulled up near him and inquired about a hotel. He was very slow to answer, but at last he told me that there was no such thing a* a hotel in Skulls County, but if I was looking for a place to sleep, old grandma’ Talbet, just inside, would put me up for the night.

I slammed the door of the car shut and approached the steps of Mrs. Talbet’s place. Three times I knocked, when I finally heard the tapping of a cane and saw the face of a friendly old lady as she opened the door and bade me to come in. After having given her a brief sketch of my story, she said she would gladly put me

by EMMA JENE EVANS, Age 14

up for the night, if I were “willing to take the risk”, for she said, she often heard strange noises at night. But she assured me I could disregard all sounds that I may myself hear.

In half an hour or so, I was ready for bed. Mrs. Talbet’s rolls and milk certainly tasted very good after having eaten very little all day. I drew the covers around my waist and blew out the candle. As I was very tired,

I immediately fell asleep.

But suddenly I was awakened by a loud scream and mornful sobs coming from somewhere nearby. I pulled the covers over my ears and tried to forget the sounds, but presently I heard them again—it was like women crying. I lit the candle and walked out into the hall. Suddenly, from behind me, something or someone blew out my candle. I jumped to the side, but saw no one behind me, so I continued my way down the hall in search of the source of all the crying. I passed many doors and many rooms, but none from which the sounds may have come. Presently, I came upon a room, far back in the building, from which I heard sobs. The door, however, was locked and no one answered my calls. I walked around in search of a window but to my amazement I found none. As I again came around to the door, I saw a shadow, tall and thin, it resembled, and actually was the figure of the man I saw standing outside the place earlier in the evening. He angrily warned me to return to my room immediately. I moved backwards, but hid in a doorway out of sight.

As the moon shone through the hall-window, I could see his shadow as he unlocked the door and entered the mysterious room. Soon I again heard the tapping of Grandma’ Talbet’s came nearing me. At least I thought it was she, but it wasn’t... instead, it was a sinister old woman who also walked with a cane.

I returned to my room and lay on my bed, unable to sleep. The constant sobbing, hours later, made me once again return to the hall. This time, however, I did not bring a candle and tip-toeing, I quietly made my way to the door of the mysterious room. To my surprise I found it unlocked. I looked around but I could see no one. Calling softly I received no answer either, only the mournful sobs of women could I hear. Now I returned to my room for a candle and matches. Just outside the mysterious room I lit the candle and quietly pushed the door open and entered. In the light of the candle, on an old, dilapidated couch, I saw two, quiet young ladies, scarcely older than thirty or thirtyfive, I judged. They were dressed in black robes and sat slumping on the old couch. Before I had a chance to ask any questions, I again heard the tapping of the old lady’s cane. I quickly blew out the candle and hid from sight. She brought with her a candle, and peeking from my hiding place, I could see she also was carrying a guou

In a harsh voice, she commanded the maidens to go to a car, waiting outside. The tall guy came into the room, and she told him, he was to get the trunk and take it to the car. She addressed him as “Spider”.

After Spider and the two crying .maidens had departed, the sinister old lady came back for the candle. With her back towards me, I saw my chance. Quickly, I grabbed a chair and striking her over the head, caused her to lose consciousness. Then I went to look for the real Grandma’ Talbet, who also walked with the aid of a cane, the one who was so kind as to invite me to stay for the night and giving me food. I found her in another room at the lower end of the hall, gagged and tied to the bed post. Within a few minutes I had her untied, and together we made our way down to the car where “Spider” was impatiently waiting for the old lady, whom I left in the house.

Cautiously, Grandma’ Talbet and I crept up behind him, and with her shoe I struck him over the head, too, thus knocking him out.

Soon we had both, the “Spider” and the old woman securely tied and ready to be taken to jail in a near-by town.

Mrs. Talbet then explained to me that she was being threatened by the old woman and the “Spider” to keep quiet about the whole affair. The two girls were the grand-daughters of Sir Harbel Wienson, left to his care, he being their only living relative. When Sir Harbel Wienson died, he left to his two granddaughters a trunk which contained precious jewels valued at many thousands of dollars. Spider and the old woman were servants to Sir Wienson, and they intended to keep the trunk for themselves. This house belonged to them, as it was left to them by Sir Wienson in reward for many years of faithful service. So they brought the two sisters there and for several weeks had kept them in the room, giving them very little food. They planned to dispose of them, but thanks to Mrs. Talbet and myself, they did not have a chance.

In the morning I prepared to leave the old house in Skulls County continuing on my way to Clayton City in search of the old Indian lady, Karrawaw. I bade good-by to Grandma’ Talbet and the sisters, telling them that I would come to see them upon returning from Clayton City.

• I didn’t have much farther to go, and it was about noon as my Pontiac rolled into Clayton City. Making several inquiries, I finally learned that I would find Karrawaw at an old hut at the edge of the town. Very shortly I came upon the old hut and in the yard I saw an old Indian woman. I was quite certain that she must be Karrawaw. When 1 asked her, she nodded and quickly guessed who I was. Then, without saying anything further, she went into the hut and presently returned with a package neatly wrapped and sealed. Opening it I found only papers... but when I examined them closely, I found that they contained the will of my father and papers that proved that he owned practically all of the land and buildings in—Skulls County. At the age of 18 I was to become the owner of his property.

Old Karrawaw used to live in Skulls County and she was a close friend of my father, therefore, he entrusted her with the papers.

I thanked her warmly and invited her to live in Skulls County which was going to be a wonderful place, once the new owner took over, and she accepted my invitation.

As I was on my way back to Skulls County, I dreamed of the wonderful place it really was. It Spread out between two hills, and was the only fertile valley for many miles around. It could be made into a beautiful place, once stores, hotels, movie houses, churches have ben built there. In spite of the terrible night I had

June 29, 1944

spent in Skulls County, I waj quite proud to be its owner.

When I told Grandma’ Talbet and the sisters about the news, they were just as glad about it, as I was.

Today, as I sit here, telling you my story, I am very happy to say that all my dreams have become true. Grandma’ Talbet herself runs the hotel, and the two sisters take care of the Post Office. People have come to this valley, to build their homes, from all over the country, sometimes as many as eight families a week.

But I had better hurry now, because our old doctor’s son, Dr. John Prince, Jr., will be here calling on me very shortly. But before I end my story, I would like to say that this place is no longer called Skulls County, for today it bears and lives up to the wonderful, new name of Happy Valley.

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DURING THE FIFTH WAR BOND DRIVE.

REPORT YOUR WAR BOND PURCHASES THROUGH YOUR BRANCHMANAGER OR

ON THE FORM BELOW,

IN ORDER THAT CREDIT MAY BE GIVEN TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A VERHOVAY HOSPITAL TRAIN,

Kindly complete form, cut along heavy line and send to Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, 345 Fourth Avenue, Pittsburgh 22, Pa.

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J Mr. Aloysius G. Falussy, Vice-Chairman. a

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* 36 W. 44th Street *

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• DEAR SIRS: j

Please be informed that the undersigned have purchased . I War Savings Bonds during the Fifth War Loan Drive in the S

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* It is requested that these purchases should be credited

I towards a United States Army Hospital Train, to be named j after the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, Pitts- I burgh, Pa.

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