Main St., Bath, N.C

Photograph ©Copyright The North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina Library at Chapel Hill

Elliott looked forward to the annual horse race held in Bath on Sunday, January 6, which was old Christmas Day. He figured his horse was a sure bet to win. At least that's what he thought.

A few days before the race, a stranger rode into town on a shiny black stallion. He, too, had planned to win the race, which was not good news to Jesse's ears. The two met in a local tavern, and soon Jesse had challenged the newcomer to a race to save time and embarrassment. The stranger agreed.

"To victory or to Hell!" Elliott shouted, as they prepared to race down a narrow, tree-lined road. The stranger smiled. A few seconds later, Elliott's mare turned her head sharply toward her competitor. She then dug her hooves into the soft ground, jumping high, and throwing Elliott from the saddle. His head struck the trunk of a big pine, killing him instantly. The stranger galloped on and was never seen again.

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