Death In Crystal Springs, Mississippi

The year was 1912. The place: a densely wooded area in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. A stocky, dark haired man, in his mid thirties, was walking home through the woods. It was after dark, and visibility wasn't good. He was carrying an ax. He tensed suddenly as he heard footsteps behind him. He walked a little faster. The footsteps behind him became faster. He slowed down; the footsteps slowed down. He turned, but could see no one in the darkness. He called out. No answer. He continued walking. The footsteps continued. He stopped; the footsteps stopped. He called out again: No answer. He ducked quickly into a clump of trees. The footsteps continued; crunch...crunch...crunch. In mortal fear for his life, the man, Houston Howell, raised his ax and waited. The footsteps continued; then slowed...crunch...crunch.....and stopped. Trembling, he lowered the ax; burying it in the head of the shadow.... The above story, which I have obviously embellished, was related to me only recently by my sister. Robert Houston Howell was our paternal grandfather. She had been told the story by our maternal grandparents when she was a child. She was told that the incident was never to be discussed. Soon after the incident, Houston sent his wife and children to Florida. Her parents, surname Cook, had moved here previously. The house they lived in still stands on the corner of what is now 10th St. and 17th Avenue W. in Bradenton, Florida. At the time they moved there, it was spelled either Braidentown, or Braidenton. Arriving shortly afterward, Houston found work on a fishing boat out of Cortez, Florida; several miles west of Bradenton, or Braidentown. Her parents were upset because "Mr. Houston would rather go fishing than support his wife and children".They had come from inland Mississippi during an era when the world was only fifty miles wide. They knew nothing of commercial fishing. Ironically, Grandfather Howell died in 1935 from a brain lesion or tumor resulting from a blow on the head. Over the years, I would ask Grandmother Howell questions about their moving to Florida from Mississippi. She would turn her head, looking to the side, and give vague answers. There was, at times, mention of Grandfather Howells' brothers. I don't recall if there were sisters; but there may well have been. If there are any descendents of the relatives of Robert Houston Howell living in, or originating from, Crystal Springs, Mississippi reading this, I would very much appreciate any further information concerning not only this incident, but about the Crystal Springs Howells in general. A dark curtain has always been over our family since that dark night in 1912 in Crystal Springs. And I promise not to annoy you, or drop in for "visits".The Howell family is known, at least locally, for being very "unclannish"

Upon hearing this story from my sister, I am now acutely interested in finding out anymore details.