Nell Cropsey #7

   The Cropsey’s are frequently bothered with false sightings of Nell Cropsey.  Many have come to them claiming they have seen or spoken with her, when in fact, they had been wrong.  Nell’s father leaned more towards thinking she was dead, and that if she was dead, Jim’s “..hand or the hand of his hireling is responsible for her death.”  (pg. 61; Simpson)  Jim was becoming tired of being questioned by the towns’ people and reporters.  They questioned by asking “Where you keeping her, Jim?” and “What’ve you done with Nell Cropsey?”  (pg. 65; Simpson)  He answered with remarks like “Ask the Committee.  They seem to know everything.”  It had been a month since Nell first went missing, and while dragging the river they found “a piece of dress goods.”  (pg. 66; Simpson)  This led them to really believe she was dead and in the Pasquotank River.  W.O Saunders wasn’t a reporter for the case yet, but hearing about it interested him, and he kept up with the news.  He heard of a report of a white skiff being in front of the house that could have carried Nell away, but also a second report saying a man saw nothing odd happening that night.  However, another man Len Owens also says he saw a skiff go by the Cropsey house and into the bushes.  “The river dragging was abandoned, the diver was sent home, the reports and letters from hither and yon proved false or inconclusive.”  (pg. 69; Simpson)