The Cogan Legend

by R. E. Miller

  Tom said, “I doubt that he’s anywhere in the Cogan. I think he’s gone.”

  The sergeant sided with Phillip and stated, “Tom, he’s here. We’ve underestimated his knowledge and abilities to elude us. We just haven’t found his hiding place yet.”

  With only one day left, Phillip decided, “Gentlemen, we’re going to search the same side of the mountain that we did the first day. I’ve based my decision on two things. First, we have more men to comb the same area, and, second; I don’t feel that Poll Soll would drag a deer too far from where he killed it.”

  Phillip awoke with a positive feeling and was sure they’d find him today. They headed to the other end of the Cogan, but once again they had to search on foot. As before, he had two men take the horses back and start breaking camp until the search party returned.

  Phillip repeated the same orders, “Anything suspicious I want to know. This will be the day we find him.”

  Tom looked at Phillip without saying a word, but he himself had no hope of finding the murderer.

  Before they had gone far a shot rang out, and everybody stopped. Phillip was excited as he looked at Tom, “Maybe we got him.”

  One of the men yelled, “Just a bear, sir, a big bear. It ran back through the search party. Sorry, sir, but I was scared.”

  Everyone laughed except Phillip who shook his head and then motioned them to continue. It took longer this time to search the same area; the men were slower and more conscious.

  Phillip hit on trees with a stick and talked to himself, Come on, come on, somebody find something. Where the hell are you?

  Tom thought he heard Phillip talking to himself and called out, “Phillip, he’s gone, he outsmarted us.”

  “He’s here, I know he is. Keep looking.”

  Soon they came to the steepest part of the mountain. Tom saw Phillip shake his head in disgust as he ordered, “Keep going men.” Phillip knew this was it, the search was over. He knew the Captain wouldn’t allow another search party if he came up with nothing.

  Phillip was angry as he watched the men descend while they grabbed onto trees to keep from falling. Phillip could see the campsite from the top of the mountain. He just couldn’t believe they didn’t find anything. All of a sudden, one of the men yelled, “Sir, there seems to be a hollow sound down here.”

  “Hold up!” Phillip yelled. From his position he didn’t see anything suspicious, just mountain laurel and a downed tree. He grabbed onto trees as he headed down the side of the mountain as fast as he could. When he got to the site all he saw was mountain laurel to one side and a tree that had blown over.

  Phillip stamped one foot, “You’re right, this has a hollow sound. I need more men all around this area.”

  The men hurried over and encircled the spot. Phillip walked toward the tree trunk then bent down and looked at some limbs that were lying directly under the trunk. He pulled a few away and he could see a hole, then he removed all of the limbs exposing a small entrance big enough for a man to crawl in and out. It looked perfectly natural. “If you hadn’t walked there it would’ve been overlooked,” Phillip said to the soldier.

  The lieutenant shook his head in disbelief. “All this time he was right in front of us, right in front of us.” He was jubilant because he knew this was where Poll Soll was hiding.

  “Sergeant, have the men pull the tree trunk and all the branches away from the entrance.”

  Tom, who lagged behind, ran down to the site smiling from ear to ear. “I can’t believe it. I’ll crawl in and kill him and that will be the end of it.”

  “No, no!” Phillip shouted. “I consider him armed and dangerous. He could kill you first; we have to be extremely cautious. Besides, he deserves a trial just like you or me. I hope we can get to the truth of what happened that day.”

  Tom looked puzzled. “What do you mean? Are you telling me you don’t think he’s the murderer?”

  “No, Tom. I think there’s plenty of circumstantial evidence. I know he was there. I think he and his brother got into a fight over who was going to rape them first.”

  Tom was furious. “Then why are we going to waste our time with a trial?”

  “I told you. Tom; he deserves a fair trial.”

  Phillip ordered, “Sergeant, take a few men and bring back some shovels and a lantern. We’re going to dig open the entrance. He’s in there, I know it.” Then Phillip got down on his hands and knees and yelled as loud as he could, “Give up and come out; we know you’re in there!” There was no response.

  Soon they were back with several shovels. Phillip warned the men before they started, “I consider this man very dangerous. I want several men ready with pistols at all times, and if he attacks, kill him.”

  Tom was the first to grab a shovel and start digging. Soon others were digging and within fifteen minutes the opening was large enough for two men to crawl in. But Phillip wanted the opening bigger and within a short time it was big enough to enter by stooping.

  “This is your last chance,” Phillip yelled into the cave.

  “I’ll go first,” Phillip said. “Tom, Sergeant, would you like to accompany me? Cal, I want you to keep the men digging until you can walk in without crouching.”

  The lieutenant had his pistol in one hand and the lantern in the other as he stooped down and cautiously entered the cave. He could hear a faint noise that sounded like a voice, but he couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Ten feet beyond the opening he was able to stand and pulled his pistol out. Tom followed and then the sergeant. It took several minutes for their eyes to adjust to the dark cave.

  Tom whispered, “It looks like mounds on the floor.”

  “These mounds are graves,” Phillip corrected.

  “This cave is long. It looks like there’re probably a lot of Indians buried here,” the sergeant said.

  “Do you hear that?” Phillip asked.

  The chanting was getting closer as they slowly made their way into the cave. As they rounded a corner they saw light from a fire. On the wall was a silhouette of a man sitting, facing away from them. They could see his outstretched arms with something in his hands. He was wrapped in blankets and skins as the fire burned next to him. The chanting was now clear but in a language they’d never heard before.

  Poll Soll knew it was over when he heard the yelling. He knew his fate was to hang for his brother’s deeds. Abruptly the chanting stopped and when he stood up Phillip saw him put something inside his shirt.

  “Sergeant, tie his hands. Tom and I will keep our guns on him. This time he’s not getting away.”

  Poll Soll offered no resistance but turned and said, “After I am hanged, I want to be buried here.”

  Phillip nodded and promised, “I’ll make sure of it.”

  For the first time the soldiers got a good look at him when they exited the cave, and they couldn’t believe this was the man that eluded them. Phillip was relieved that they finally captured him.

  Tom said, “He’s filthy and stinks. Can’t we hang him here and save everyone the hassle of a trial?”

  “No, Tom. There are too many unanswered questions.”

  Poll Soll did exactly what he was told to do while saying nothing. Phillip remembered Poll Soll put something in his shirt when he was ordered to stand. He saw the object, reached in and pulled it out.

  “It’s just a stone,” Tom said.

  Phillip looked at it. “It’s not just an ordinary stone. It looks like the fossil of a baby bird.”

  “It is of no harm. Can I keep it?” Poll Soll pleaded.

  “That must be big medicine to him,” the sergeant said.

  Phillip looked at his men. “I guess he can’t kill us all with that,” and stuck it back in Poll Soll’s side.

  Then he ordered, “Cal, get him in the wagon and tie his feet to the side.”

  When the wagon passed his brother’s house, Poll Soll never looked up; instead he stared at the floor the entire trip.

  Phillip slowed down and stopped at t
he inn when they got to Herndon. The innkeeper and all the patrons came out and looked. “We finally caught him.” Phillip said. “We finally got him.”

  On the ride back, Phillip thought about writing to Ann and telling her they’d finally captured Poll Soll. He couldn’t wait until the trial was over and he resigned from the army. He couldn’t wait to marry Ann and start a new life together.

  Tom rode directly behind the wagon to keep an eye on the prisoner. Poll Soll stared at the floor never looking at anyone. They finally reached the fort and headed directly to the stockade. Again, Poll Soll offered no resistance.

  After the prisoner was locked up, Phillip reported to the captain with the good news. “Captain, we’ve finally caught the murderer. We were down to the last day of the search, and I almost gave up when one of the men found a hidden area. That’s where he was all along.”

  “Congratulations on his capture. I’ll be anxious to read your report. Lieutenant, I want a guard on duty at all times. Have Sergeant Koppenhaver assign the guards on a permanent basis, rotating three shifts and seven days a week.”

  “I’ll do that immediately, we don’t want him to escape.”

  The Lieutenant picked up his mail on the way to his quarters and saw there was a letter from Ann. He wasted no time opening it.

  Dear Phillip,

  I miss you and I’m anxious to see you. Father and I will be leaving Philadelphia soon. As soon as I have the date of our departure, I’ll write and let you know. Father would like an update on capturing the murderers. When you have an opportunity, perhaps you can let us know. All my love, Ann.

  The next day while Phillip was on duty, Tom made a visit to the fort to inquire, “Phillip, do you have any idea when the trial will begin?”

  “I’m preparing the necessary paperwork to have a judge from the capitol commit to a date. I suspect it will be several weeks until we get a response.”

  “I’m not sure what to do in the meantime, but I don’t want to miss the trial,” Tom said.

  “If you’re in no hurry to get back to Philadelphia, maybe you can stay at the lodge until the trial. Mr. Fairchild will be present at the trial. I’m sure he’ll be at the lodge in the near future,” Phillip said.

  “Tomorrow morning I’m going to leave to go back to the lodge. I’ll think about whether I must return to Philadelphia or stay in the area until the trial. I should check on Carrie and return to work if Mr. Fairchild will allow me time off for the trial. If I decide to return to Philadelphia, I’ll depend on you to let me know the date the trial will begin.”

  After having dinner with Tom, Phillip was anxious to get back to the fort and write to Ann. He couldn’t wait to put on paper the good news about capturing the murderer. Catching him closed the loop; now he could resign and plan his life anew with her.

  CHAPTER 20

  Ann had spent several weeks in the house after the funeral trying to regain her strength and composure. Finally, she felt strong enough to leave the house. After Lewey took Charles to work and returned, Ann met him at the door. “Lewey, I need to leave the house. I’ve had enough sitting around. I want to go downtown.”

  The dress shop was her first stop; she knew it would be painful but she wanted to face up to Rachel’s absence. When Lewey pulled the coach in front of the shop, Ann was hesitant. A strange feeling came over her, and she thought she might see Rachel when she entered. After browsing for a moment, Mrs. Geist, the owner, approached Ann. “We’d appreciate if you leave; I don’t want your business anymore. You’re no longer welcome here.”

  Ann was taken aback. “What!” She looked at her and asked, “Why?”

  “You don’t know? You haven’t figured it out yet? Please don’t make a scene and just leave.”

  Ann dropped the items she held, looked at everyone in disbelief, and stormed out. She was furious. “Lewey take me to Rachel’s house. I want to visit Carrie.”

  Ann walked up on the porch and knocked. A few of the neighbors watched, but only one had the courage to confront Ann. She yelled at her, “You tramp, you think you can come down here in your fancy coach and smooth everything over, just like nothing happened? We know all about what you are, you’re a trollop, and you killed Carrie’s daughter. Because of you she’ll spend the rest of her life alone with no one. Don’t ever come back here. I hope you rot in hell.”

  By this time Mrs. Miller came to the door, opened it and said, “What do you want?”

  Still shocked by the reception downtown and by the neighbor’s accusations, Ann grew angry at the woman’s obvious unwillingness to let her in. “Carrie, I need to talk to you. May I please come in?”

  Anger tightened Mrs. Miller’s lips. “I don’t think that’s necessary. What can you do for Rachel now? I wish to God I had forbid her to go along with you and your selfish schemes!”

  “Selfish?” Ann felt as if Mrs. Miller had slapped her.

  “Can you deny it?” Rachel’s mother spoke as one who had been waiting for Ann’s approach. “There’s no way you can deny that it is your fault my Rachel is dead. She was happy before you came along, before you enticed her with your money and fancy living.” Her words became louder, more strident. “Your money changed her. She wanted what you have and you took her away. My little girl is dead because she listened to you. I begged her not to go, but she didn’t listen to me. She and Tom wanted the filthy money your father could spew out. Now she’s gone!” Her voice dropped from a shout to a growl. “I don’t want you here; just go away and never come back.” Then Mrs. Miller stepped back and slammed the door.

  The neighbors cheered.

  Shocked, Ann didn’t say a word and hurried down the sidewalk to the coach. “Take me home.” Her head was spinning. She was shaken and hurt with those accusations. When she got to the house, she ran in and up the steps to her room. The secret dread of her heart had been confirmed by a neighbor’s contempt and Mrs. Miller’s angry words. It was indeed her fault, and she’d known it! She couldn’t hide from it; it was all around town. Tears cascaded down her cheeks as she fell across her bed and sobbed.

  Charles was at the dinner table waiting for Ann. When she finally entered the room, he immediately knew she was upset. “Ann, you look as though you’ve been crying. What’s wrong?”

  Ann shook her head. “I’m not hungry, father. May I return to my room?”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me about it?”

  “No, I’d rather not Father,” Ann replied. Her pale face seemed drained and hollow. The stiffening of her back told Charles it was better to let her go and ask her about it later. He nodded his assent. When he heard the door to her room close, he beckoned Mae. “Would you ask Lewey to come here?”

  Charles confronted his long time driver and friend when Lewey entered the room. “What happened today? Ann looks a mess.”

  “I’m not exactly sure, but after I took you to work Ann wanted to go downtown. She told me she needed to get out of the house. I took her to the dress shop where Rachel worked. She came storming out of there, mad as a hornet. I don’t know why. Then she told me to take her to Rachel’s house to see Carrie. She was knocking on the door when a neighbor started yelling at her, accusing her of lots of things and that she was responsible for Rachel’s death. Then Mrs. Miller came out. I heard her tell Ann that it was her fault Rachel was dead, and she never wanted to see her again. I brought her home, she rushed in the house and I haven’t seen her since.”

  Charles looked down at the table. “I thought this might happen. I sensed bitterness from Carrie at the funeral, but she didn’t say anything then. Thank you, Lewey.”

  Charles went to his study and had a brandy. He was there for several hours pondering what to do. Prior to the recent confrontations, he felt Ann had recovered from the tragedy and had a positive outlook on her future. Now, she was more depressed than ever, and he didn’t know what to do.

  A week went by and at night Charles could hear the faint sounds of Ann crying in her bedroom. A dozen times he kn
ocked on her door, begging her to talk to him but she always refused. She barely ate, and Mae would often bring trays of food down the stairs and shake her head in pity and sorrow.

  Ann had no desire for conversation. When she could be coaxed from her room, she was quiet and uncommunicative. Charles noticed that Ann had lost weight, and her appearance was rough; apparently she no longer cared.

  Finally, Charles approached Ann with a different question. “Have you received any letters from Phillip lately?”

  The mention of Phillip’s name brought a response. “No, not yet.”

  “I’m sure you’ll get one soon. I suspect he’s busy since he returned to the fort.”

  “The way I feel right now, I haven’t given much thought to Phillip, or marriage, or the future.”

  Sensing an opening, Charles said, “Tell me what has you so withdrawn and depressed.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it.”

  “Please, Ann. I hate seeing you like this. I can’t stand the thought of you slipping away from me, and you won’t allow me to help you.”

  Ann burst into tears. After what seemed an eternity to her father, she regained some composure and the words came pouring out. “Remember, I shared a dream with you and in that dream Rachel forgave me for what happened. I only cared about my own guilt, and all this time I never thought how her death affected everyone else in her life. A few days ago, I was unaware how selfish I’ve been until Carrie and her neighbor confronted me about Rachel. It’s all my fault Rachel is dead.”

  “Ann, there are many reasons why Rachel is dead. I blame myself for her death. If I wouldn’t have allowed you to go running around the countryside and made you stay at the lodge, Rachel would still be here.”

  “Father, I only thought of myself and how bored I would be. I feel so guilty. Please excuse me; I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  “We can’t bring her back by blaming ourselves. Mary said it best; ‘The only ones to blame are the ones that murdered her.’ Now, I have something I want to tell you. These past few weeks have been lonely for me. I have written several letters to Mary and in so doing I must confess that I miss her. I’m anxious to get back to the lodge. I’ve discussed it with Ted, and I have all the confidence in him to run the business in my absence. It could be months until we return to Philadelphia.”