The Knox’s lived on a small farm atop of Dunbar mountain near present-day, Ohiopyle, PA. When Betty Knox was a mere toddler her mother succumbed to consumption. For the next 15 years or so, Betty and her father continue to strain under the farm’s daily workload requirements. Then, Mr. Knox also fell sick and perished from an unidentified illness.
Heart-Broken and Alone
Betty continued to maintain her mountain top homestead. Betty labored daily. She maintained her property; she tended her livestock, cultivated her ground, and raised her crops. In addition, she began leading her faithful ox who wore a noisy cow-bell on treks down the mountainside. Weekly, the pair would transport grains and foodstuff to be milled at Ferguson’s mill (near present-day Dunbar). A least twice a week locals would hear young Betty fetching and driving her ox to market. The stillness of the mountainside would be frequently interrupted by the clink-clang sound of the ox’s ring cow-bells.
At the Mill
Betty was described as a homegrown natural beauty. She was reported to have gentle smile that lightened the spirits of the locals during each of her visits. In fact, the lovely Betty caught the eye of many a local man. When approached by any smitten fellow, Betty would reject any of his romantic notions. Betty would only conclude her business and start the oxen on their long 12 country-mile journey back toward the mountain top farmstead.
Along the Beaten Trail
Betty’s trips became so regular she and her trusted oxen forged a well-woren road through the harass forest. One day, while making her return trip, Betty discovered an injured young man by the side on the path. Some say the man was a wounded civil war solider who had deserted from the front. Others suggested the man was a runaway slave hurt by a pursuing bounty hunter’s bullet. Regardless, Betty loaded the man upon her ox and returned him to her home.
Death of Other Loved One
For the next year, Betty fruitlessly attempted to nurse her visitor back to health. Unfortunately, one cold winter morning, Betty’s mate pasted on. Hopeless and alone Betty was devastated. Residents’ claim Betty’s sorrowfully cries could be heard for miles along the ridges. Despite her inconsolable condition, Betty commenced her numerous trips down to the mill. Suddenly, locals noticed Betty had not made an appearance in town for many days.
The Mystery
A posse of volunteers searched the trails and mountain passes for any evidence of Betty’s presence. They found nothing! After several months slipped by, a group of boys discovered the bones and remains of ox wearing a noisy cow-bell chained to a tree. Surprisingly, the ox’s carcass was found directly along Betty’s path. Earlier, this very same area was thoroughly combed and unsuccessfully searched by the men of the posse.
Where’s Betty?
Shockingly, there was no sign of Betty. Some say Betty was so distraught about the death of her young partner she jumped to her death among the waves of the nearby Youghiogheny River. Others report, military policemen arrested her because she harbored the deserting soldier. Others suggest slave hunters murdered her due to her protecting their prey. Lastly, old story- tellers claim Betty was abducted and assaulted by a rejected lovelorn local man.
The Search Continues
Today, Betty’s legend endures. There is no record she was ever found. However, a Dunbar park was named in her honor. Currently, a number of park visitors claim to her hear Betty’s sobs among the hardwoods. Sometimes, when the cool mountain breeze blows just right, guests may witness the sound of Betty fetching her oxen with the noisy ringing cow-bells as the pair trek along the overgrown forgotten path.
Kenneth Dillinger - For over a decade I have worked in the Mental Health field in a variety of capacities. Currently, I work with adult MH consumers, ...
