Imaginations

Ghost at Goblin Hollow Researched by David Weale

Murder of Ann Beaton which took place in May 1859, in what is now called Lyndale.

Ann Beaton, an unwed mother of 41, lived with her brother Murdock, on the Murray Harbour Road. She left her home on the 12th of May and did not return. She was found by her brother, two days later, in a field at the back of her farm. Her body was badly mangled, apparently killed by a hoe which belonged to one of the settlers. Augus Matheson, his wife and son were arrested and sent to Charlottetown prison. According to an old Irish superstition - blood would flow from the wounds whenever the murderer placed his hands on the body, and at the in quest every adult, including the Matheson family, placed his or her hands on the body, but no blood appeared. The murder was never solved, but one woman was always suspected, because she refused the test.

For years afterwards, the people of the area were very uneasy because they believed that the murderer was still living among them. The woman refused to go out at night, and even the men would not wander after dark unless accompanied. Strange things were said to have happened.

A couple from Lyndale report on having been thrown from their wagon as they were passing through the hollow one night. They believed

had it not been for the Bible which they had in their possession, they would have been doomed.

Children avoided the area, when going for the cows because of the strange voices they claimed they heard. Glowing lights were reported to have been seen at various times in the hollow. Apparently on the night that Ann Beaton was murdered, strange sounds were heard at the Blacksmith’s which was not far from the Beaton farm.

The Beaton family moved from Lyndale shortly after the murder and

nothing more was. heard about them nor of Ann’s child. Although no

one was arrested for the murder, it is believed that Ann Beaton was

murdered by a jealous wife.

The UPEI X-Press

October 25, 1990