The Spring Hollow Camp Site: The Curse of Satan

By John Jones

This Strange Story begins on a beautiful Old Family Farm located near the town of Deerfield within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (U.S.A.). A thirteen year boy, John Nixon a.k.a. Little John always spends his long summer school breaks on his dearly beloved grandparents Nixon’s family farm. His nineteen ninety- five summer of his usual expected fun and happiness turns into a Terrible Tragic Nightmare as he becomes a witness to a Horrible Brutal Crime Scene. This Brutal Crime Scene will engulf his wellbeing as the Evil of Satan that oversees this Brutal Crime will also take control of him and control his entire life. How the Evil of Satan does this and the final outcome will overwhelm you and, in some ways, also engulf your life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664188662

John Jones

As a native of the world in one city, Liverpool, England, I write twisted tales of horror, crime and mystery, and sometimes I'll dabble in other genres. I have written over ninety short stories, two novels,  and appeared in various publications, including:  'Radio City ghosts, an anthology,'  'Cemetery moon'. Winner of the scare-a-horror-author contest at writerscafe.org Several for Atlantean publishing. Most of my work can be read free online on various websites including Booksie, ABC Tales, obooko. When I am not writing about strange creatures, time distortions or sheer bloody murder, I enjoy drawing and painting.   

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 by John Jones.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

NOTE: THIS BOOK CONTAINS ADULT LANGUAGE.

For information related to the Front Cover Photograph, see Foot Note 1.

Rev. date: 08/06/2021

Xlibris

844-714-8691

www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

Dedications

Preface

Chapter 1 The Old Nixon Family Farm

Chapter 2 The Brutal Crime Scene

Chapter 3 The Old Root Cellar

Chapter 4 A Shocking Church Service

Chapter 5 The Hidden Cavern Tomb

Chapter 6 Setting Salt Lick Blocks

Chapter 7 The Shenandoah Valley Serial Killers

Chapter 8 Who will Be Victim Number Seven

Chapter 9 Victim Number Seven

Chapter 10 Shenandoah Valley Serial Killings Stop

Chapter 11 Where is Marla Jordan McAdams

Chapter 12 Life Is Good

Chapter 13 The Shenandoah Valley Serial Killer Returns

Chapter 14 True Love Strikes Little John

Chapter 15 Two more Victims

Chapter 16 Three More Victims

Chapter 17 Unknown Beautiful Choir

Chapter 18 Finally Together

Chapter 19 Who is Grace Sommerville

Chapter 20 The Shenandoah Valley Serial Killer Mystery Is Solved

Chapter 21 Shocking Conclusion

Epilogue

Foot Notes

Glossary

About The Author

Dedications

To my wife LaVerne (Susie) among many family members and friends that have kept me inspired to continue writing. Of course, I still do not want to leave out all those that laughed.

Sentiments

Keep your hand on the plow and do not look back.

Preface

This Strange Story begins on a beautiful Old Family Farm located near the town of Deerfield within the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (U.S.A.). A thirteen year boy, John Nixon a.k.a. Little John always spends his long summer school breaks on his dearly beloved grandparents Nixon’s family farm. His nineteen ninety- five summer of his usual expected fun and happiness turns into a Terrible Tragic Nightmare as he becomes a witness to a Horrible Brutal Crime Scene. This Brutal Crime Scene will engulf his wellbeing as the Evil of Satan that oversees this Brutal Crime will also take control of him and control his entire life. How the Evil of Satan does this and the final outcome will overwhelm you and, in some ways, also engulf your life.

Chapter 1

THE OLD NIXON FAMILY FARM

June 12, 1995. Monday morning early about 0800Hr a brand new Ford F-150 truck pulls in to the driveway entrance of the Old Nixon Family Farm. Little John Nixon jumps out and quickly runs and opens the heavy steel front gate. He waits as his dad John Nixon Junior a well known Augusta County Attorney pulls the truck through and stops.

Little John quickly closes the gate and makes sure it is secure so none of his grandfather’s grazing farm animals will roam out which does happen from time to time and can really be a pain in the old ass and a major problem.

As he runs and jumps back in the truck, he is on cloud nine and looking forward to another fun filled happy long summer on the farm working with his grandparents. His dad is delighted to see his only son so happy for several reasons. One it’s the first official day of summer as the last day of school was last Friday June the 9th, 1995. Another reason of course is he is being dropped off to spend the entire summer with his beloved grandfather a.k.a. Papa John or Grandpa and his grandmother a.k.a. Miss. Ethel or Grandma. These two grandparents cuddle, spoil and give him anything he wants and he loves them dearly.

The Old Nixon Family Farm is a paradise place to spend the summer especially for a thirteen year old boy. The farm itself is located in Augusta County, Virginia near a very small-town West of Staunton named Deerfield. It has been in the Nixon family since the early Nixon Pioneers settled the land back in the Shenandoah Valley in the early eighteenth century.

The farm what is now left of it is about 800 acres in area. It borders the Deerfield Natural Springs and continues West where it borders the George Washington National Forest. The Northern Ridge of the farm just before you head up the far distant Hankie Mountain Range contains the beautiful Calf Pasture River of Death and Despair. The river is beautiful and teems with fish but is very dangerous and most locals just call it the River of Death and Despair. The river flows forever. It is deep and contains very dangerous high velocity currents of cold white water rapids. These unforgiving white water rapids engulf any and everything they capture, most of the wild animals and humans that are lost to the cold waters are never seen or heard of again, they seem to just vanish.

This river unlike most of the other rivers and streams in the Valley at its Western end flows in to a cave like cavern and disappears down within the Shenandoah Mountain Lost Caverns. It then flows Northwest towards the Monterey area after dropping down a huge waterfall also named the Falls of Death and Despair and then forms part of the Great Potomac Aquifer. Most of the land that encompasses this cavern the Falls of Death and Despair and of course the River of Death and Despair was owned by the Bright and Sommerville families.

To take advantage of this beautiful complex of nature containing the caverns, falls and river Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bright (now sole owners of the property) developed and opened it up to the public as a major tourist attraction. This attraction is now world renowned and contains a very nice popular Restaurant and Lodge.

Getting back to describing the Old Nixon Family Farm; the Western border of the farm contains an old cable constructed swinging foot bridge, built years ago by Little John’s father and grandfather. This foot bridge is still used today but only to cross and hike to the beautiful Family Spring Hollow Camp Site by a foot path. This Spring Hollow Camp Site is still part of the original farm. It is very secluded and is also bordered by the George Washington National Forest.

An old logging and forest road passes through the Spring Hollow Camp Site. That road is now known as the Bear Draft Trail. This Bear Draft Trail extends from the hard surface Main Deerfield Valley State Road across the new Spring Hollow Camp Site High Water Bridge (SHCSHWB) up through the Spring Hollow Camp Site and continues for several miles up the mountain hollow along a stream to a beautiful enclosure area the family has named Doc’s Deer Stand.

Getting back to the farm, the Old Farm House is a typical old mountain wood frame ballooned built home that has now of course been modernized to contain all the latest whistles and bells. No more in house kitchen pitcher hand pumps or thunder mugs and no more outside Johnny Houses. (See Foot Note 2).

On this old farm Little John’s grandfather and his father raise a small herd of Black Angus Beef Cattle as a main stay along with acres and acres of fresh hay, corn and other grasses. Beside the beef cattle they also raise a few hogs, chickens, dairy cows and a variety of other animals including a couple of donkeys necessary to ward off roaming coyotes, bears and other animals. To finish the mix three old sooner dogs; Nelson, Riley and Marshall. Little John’s grandmother cultivates a huge vegetable garden and maintains a small fruit tree orchard that contains everything from soup to nuts; her scratch biscuits, yeast rolls and fresh pies are to die for.

Along with a lot of this work to oversee Little John although only thirteen years old and working around these animals is beyond his years and is very knowable of many adult subjects related to sexual and reproduction activities. Let’s just say he has seen and learned a lot in his young life if you know what I mean and just let it go at that! Enough said!

Along with animal husbandry one of the best things he enjoys the most is learning to drive and operate most of the farm vehicles; tractors, pickup trucks and his favorite the Kubota’s. His biggest thrill of course is learning to safely handle fire arms as he is now allowed to own and handle his very own rifle, shotgun and one small pistol. Just ask yourself in this day and time how many young teenage boys do you know receive a rifle for Christmas from their grandfather? Along with hunting he has learned to be an avid fly and bait fisherman. When it comes to fishing and hunting, he speaks the language very well on each subject.

With all of this running through his young mind you can imagine the overflowing happiness he feels as his dad pulls up to the old Nixon Farm House. The truck hardly stops as Little John jumps out and runs and is given big hugs and kisses by his grandparents. Both of his grandparents also greet their only son John Nixon Jr with a big hug as hugging is a Nixon family tradition. Son you and Little John come on in, your mother has a big breakfast on the stove that is hot and all ready to eat. Dad I will stay but only long enough to eat breakfast as I must run. Mary and I have a ton of work on our schedule back at the office to take care of; that’s the main reason Mary did not ride out with us today. We left her behind to mind the store. Dad without that gal I would be completely lost. Well son like I have always told you They say behind every good man is a good woman! Just look at your mom hell she runs this place with an iron fist. I just be the scullery boy, Ha, Ha!

Breakfast as expected was a Miss Ethel five star special; fresh cow’s milk, orange juice, biscuit’s, butter, farm cured bacon, ham, fresh eggs and hot spring water coffee. Well folks I have got to run! Little John are you all set? Yes sir, all my bags are upstairs in my room and put away. Ok, you know the rules; yes sir, do what your grandparents tell you to do and stay safe.

As Little John and his grandparents stand on the porch and wave good bye Little John has tears running down his cheeks as he thinks his dad is the greatest dad in the whole wide world. He wipes his face, turns to look at his grandparents and says, well folks it looks like you will have to put up with my little ass through August. His grandparents laugh and tell him to watch his mouth! Oops sorry folks it slipped Camp Talk.

Chapter 2

THE BRUTAL CRIME SCENE

June 19, 1995. Monday morning early about 0600Hr Little John is sitting at the kitchen table as his grandpa asks him well my little man it’s been a week here on the farm are you back in the grove? Does farm life agree with you, is it still in your blood and your plans? Yes, sir grandpa but it sure is a lot of hard work to keep things going around here. Yes, I know that’s why I have hired Jake Conner and your cousin Billy Bright to come over three to four days a week to give us a hand. Hell without them two young men I would never get all this work done. Little John farming and raising beef cattle is a good life but you have to love and want to do it. It is hard work with a lot of long days. You can decide to do three things Little John; you can go to school and study Animal Husbandry, or you can go to school and study Agriculture, or you can follow in your mom and dad’s footsteps and become a Lawyer. It’s all up to you, my boy. Well grandpa I can tell you this it will not be law school. It’s no way I could stand to work in a confined office all day like my mom and dad do. I am just not cut out for that bull shit (BS). Oops sorry grandpa more "Camp Talk! Little John you are hanging around Jake and Billy to much as his grandpa just shakes his head and grins, those two guy’s talk and cuss like sailors.

About 0630Hr grandpa John gets up from the breakfast table gives Miss Ethel a kiss on the cheek and says let me get started. I need to cut and bale that hay in the lower forty before this predicted rain storm sets in here. Little John do you want to ride with me and help out driving the big tractor for a while? Little John’s eyes light up like a candle as he has to decline his grandpa’s offer. Grandpa I have already promised grandma I would fish the river today and bring home fresh fish for tomorrow night’s supper. He laughs and says very well do like your grandma says but you better plan on driving the big tractor tomorrow and helping me. Besides that, I want you to learn to operate that tractor and drive it by yourself. Will do grandpa I am all yours tomorrow that’s for damn sure! Watch your mouth son, sorry folks more Camp Talk! Well, I will see you guys for supper at 1800Hr as usual, let me go and get my old worn ass out of here and get to work. Grandpa what did you just say? He laughs and says sorry folks more Camp Talk!

Well grandma I guess I am ready to go fishing, let me get going. I got my best fly rod plenty of fresh cut bait and my special secret jigs I made up myself. Ok dear be careful and make sure you get back here on time for supper at 1800Hr. You know how tired your grandpa is after working all day and he is ready to eat when he comes in that for sure. I know grandma, breakfast at 0600Hr and supper at 1800Hr. Remember to use the old swinging cable foot bridge and stay on the lee side of the river away from that dangerous rushing deep white water. Do not worry grandma I will be very careful. Well as you remember folks call that Calf Pasture the River of Death and Despair as those river rapids have claimed a many a person as well as animals over the years. Most of them have never been seen or heard of again. Little John it is not called the River of Death and Despair for no reason. I know!

Grandma how many fish do I need to catch for supper? Boy you sure are certain you will catch fish today. Yes, I am, I always catch fish you know that. Well at least six if they are small and about four if they are large. I got ya!

As little John leaves and makes his way across the massive hay field he can see his grandfather a way off in the distance mowing and baling the new cut hay. As he walks up the Hankie Mountain Range, he passes by the Old Nixon Family Cemetery and heads for the Calf Pasture River of Death and Despair. He crosses the river at the narrows using the old swinging cable foot bridge as his grandma said to do. This old bridge will take him over to the North lee side. Without this old bridge he would have to walk the south side pathway all the way up to the SHCSHWB cross over and double back down to get to his favorite secret fishing hole; one hell of a fuckin long walk.

As he walks a long, he takes in the sights, sounds and the smell of this beautiful Shenandoah Valley. He thinks to himself Dear God what a beautiful work of art you have created that surrounds me in a paradise; heaven here on Planet Earth (PE), Thank you Dear Lord (TYDL). Finally, after a long walk he locates his secret fishing spot and looks out in the river to find his special deep water fishing hole as he remembers it, still unchanged. He pauses for a minute and scans the beautiful clear blue sky and again thinks to himself; I have all summer long to enjoy this happiness and beauty nothing in this world can change this, nothing at all. SAD TO SAY Little John some very dark clouds are forming on the Horizon!!!!!!

At this secret fishing spot, he rigs up, baits his special jig and casts it out. The jig no sooner hits the water surface when he gets a big strike. Son of a bitch (SOB) a great hit already. He struggles and is able to reel in a beautiful largemounth trout. He checks out the fish. SOB three of these beauties would be all we