s Peter died before them, terror filled the
hearts
of the other boys. They swore themselves to eternal secrecy. By the light
of the moon they they buried Peter under the big rock. Strangely,
the name "Peter" means "rock."
ay after day, Peter's sweetheart returned to
their
meeting place high atop the wooded hill, but left disappointed. She made
discreet inquiries around the town, but was told that he had "disappeared." Not a soul could mend the heart of Miss Fanny. She died later that summer.
short time before Peter's death his
family had received a disturbing letter, warning them of impending
sadness. The letter hinted that they may never see him again. As time
went by, his mother became alarmed when she did not hear
from her son. Indeed, it seemed as if Peter Dromgoole had disappeared.
An uncle later came to Chapel Hill to search for him, but found
nothing in Peter's room but his trunk and a few clothes. No stagecoach
rosters departing Chapel Hill bore his name.
o one has solved the mystery of Peter
Dromgoole's disappearance, though some have tried.