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Poor Ellen Smith Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 2/21/2016
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


In 1892, a town drunk and ne'er-do-well named Peter DeGraff had an ill-fated love affair with Ellen Smith. After a few months of the affair, Ellen Smith became pregnant by DeGraff, who then wanted nothing to do with her. It was said that Ellen could not understand his rejection of her. Their baby died at birth, and Ellen soon after took to following DeGraff around town. 

After a few months of this, DeGraff sent Ellen Smith a letter that asked her to meet him in a secluded area behind the newly opened Zinzendorf Hotel where they could talk. The letter was worded in such a way that Smith reportedly believed that DeGraff wanted to reconcile with her, and she was elated at the prospect. However, when Ellen arrived at the designated location, DeGraff pulled out a gun, shot her through the chest and left her alone where she bled to death. 

Degraff only confessed to the crime while awaiting to be hanged at the gallows.

You will find this cache in a small grove of trees rumored to be the rendezvous point of the foul deed.

Learn more about the murder:    http://www.murderbygaslight.com/2010/07/poor-ellen-smith.html

Hear the folk song about the tragic death:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCg2GH6OuXI

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