The Thing at Nolan

by Ambrose Bierce

south of where the road between Leesville and Hardy, State of Missouri, crosses the east fork of May Creek stands an abandoned house Nobody has lived summer of 1879, and fast going to pieces For some three years date mentioned above, occupied family of Charles May, from one of whose ancestors the creek near which it stands took its name

Mr May's family consisted of wife, an adult son and two young girls The son's name was John--the names daughters are unknown writer sketch

John May was of morose and surly disposition, not easily moved to anger, but having an uncommon gift of sullen, implacable hate His father was quite otherwise; of sunny, jovial disposition, but with quick temper like sudden flame kindled in wisp of straw, which consumes it in flash no more He cherished no resentments, anger gone, was quick overtures for reconciliation He had brother living near by who was unlike him in respect of all this, and current witticism neighborhood that John had inherited his disposition uncle

One day misunderstanding arose between father and son, harsh words ensued, father struck the son full face fist John quietly wiped away the blood that followed the blow, fixed his eyes already penitent offender and said with cold composure, " die "

The words were overheard by two brothers named Jackson, who were approaching the men moment; but seeing them engaged in quarrel they retired, apparently unobserved Charles May afterward related the unfortunate occurrence wife and explained that he had apologized son hasty blow, but without avail; the young man rejected his overtures, but refused to withdraw his terrible threat Nevertheless, no open rupture of relations: John continued living family, and things went on as before

One Sunday morning in June, 1879, about two weeks after related, May senior left the house immediately after breakfast, taking spade going an excavation at certain spring in wood about mile away, so cattle could obtain water John remained house for some hours, variously occupied in shaving himself, writing letters and reading newspaper His manner was very nearly what it usually was; perhaps trifle more sullen and surly

At two o'clock he left the house At five, he returned For some reason not connected with any interest movements, and not now recalled, the time departure return were noted by his mother and sisters, as was attested at his trial for murder observed that his clothing was wet in spots, (so the prosecution afterward pointed out) he removing blood-stains His manner was strange, his look wild He complained of illness, and going room took bed

May senior return Later that evening the nearest neighbors were aroused, and during that night following day search was prosecuted wood where the spring was It resulted in little but the discovery of both men's footprints clay spring John May meantime had grown rapidly worse with what the local physician called brain fever, and delirium raved of murder, but say whom he conceived murdered, nor whom he imagined to the deed But his threat was recalled brothers Jackson and arrested on suspicion and deputy sheriff put in charge of him at his home Public opinion ran strongly against him and but illness probably hanged by mob As , meeting neighbors was held on Tuesday and committee appointed to watch the case and take such action at as circumstances might seem to warrant

On Wednesday all was changed town of Nolan, eight miles away, came story which put quite different light matter Nolan consisted of school house, blacksmith's shop, "store" and half-dozen dwellings The store was kept by one Henry Odell, cousin elder May afternoon Sunday of May's disappearance Mr Odell and four neighbors, men of credibility, were sitting store smoking and talking warm day; and both the front back door were open At about three o'clock Charles May, who was well known to three , entered front door and passed out rear without hat or coat look at them, nor return their greeting, circumstance which surprise, for evidently seriously hurt Above the left eyebrow was wound--a deep gash the blood flowed, covering the whole left side face and neck and saturating his light-gray shirt Oddly enough, the thought uppermost minds of all he fighting and was going brook directly back store, to wash himself

Perhaps feeling of delicacy--a backwoods etiquette which restrained them from following him to offer assistance; the court records, , mainly, this narrative is drawn, are silent anything but the fact They waited for him to return, but return

Bordering the brook behind the store is forest extending for six miles back Medicine Lodge Hills it became known neighborhood missing man's dwelling that he seen in Nolan marked alteration in public sentiment and feeling The vigilance committee went out of existence without the formality of resolution Search along the wooded bottom lands of May Creek was stopped and nearly the entire male population region took to beating the bush about Nolan and Medicine Lodge Hills But missing man no trace was found

strangest circumstances strange case formal indictment and trial of man for murder of one whose body no human being professed seen--one not known dead all more or less familiar vagaries and eccentricities of frontier law, but this instance, thought, is unique However , of record that on recovering illness John May was indicted murder missing father Counsel defense appears not demurred case was tried on its merits The prosecution was spiritless and perfunctory; the defense easily established--with regard deceased--an alibi If during the time John May killed Charles May, if he killed him at all, Charles May was miles away from where John May must , plain deceased come death hands of someone else

John May was acquitted, immediately left the country, and has never been heard of day Shortly afterward his mother and sisters removed to St Louis The farm having passed possession of man who owns the land adjoining, and has dwelling own, the May house has been vacant, and somber reputation of being haunted

One day May family had left the country, some boys, playing woods along May Creek, found concealed under mass of dead leaves, but partly exposed rooting of hogs, spade, nearly new and bright, except for spot on one edge, rusted and stained with blood The implement had the initials C M cut handle

This discovery renewed, in some degree, the public excitement of before The earth near the spot where the spade was found was carefully examined, result finding dead body of man It buried under feet of soil spot covered with layer of dead leaves and twigs but little decomposition, fact attributed to some preservative property mineral-bearing soil

Above the left eyebrow was wound--a deep gash blood had flowed, covering the whole left side face and neck and saturating the light-gray shirt The skull cut through blow The body of Charles May

But it that passed through Mr Odell's store at Nolan ?