Near Colliers, W. Va. - A mystery of thirty two years standing has been cleared up by a recent find in a deserted coal mine near Colliers, this state.
David Snyder explored an old mine which had not been worked since the '60s, and discovered the remains of four human beings.
One of the skeletons was sitting upright against a ledge. Beside this skeleton was a flask containing a note that explained the mysterious disappearance of John E---g, Ben A---s, Tom A------n, and Joe Obney thirty two years ago. The notes were written in pencil but well preserved and read as follows:
"Nov 12, 1863 - should this reach the outside world let it be known that we .... are prisoners here, owing to the caving in of the mine. We are deserters and were in hiding here when the mine caved in. Food and water all gone. We are doomed as no one outside is aware of our whereabouts. This is about the eighth day of imprisonment."
"Nov 4 John E---g and Tom A------n have Just killed Ben A---s and are eating him. I have already eaten my boot leg. The water in the mine is terrible. Our oil is getting scarce; air becomming foul. I only know the day of the month by my watch."
"Nov 6 E---g has killed A------n. Cut off one of his feet and is eating it and dancing around and flourishing his dirk knife like a maniac."
"Nov 7 I am now alone with the dead. I had to kill E---g in self defense. I have just eaten my other boot leg. Am sleepy. Goodbye. I enclose this note in this flask so that if ever found our sad fate will be known."
Several of the old residents of Colliers remember these men. It was generally believed that they had been killed in battle. As no relatives of the dead men could be found their remains were given in charge of an undertaker for burial.
The Allegheny Regional Family History Society