The Mill Village Curse

By Debbie Shook

The Eubanks family has the picture-perfect life. Their home is filled with love, happiness, and extravagant wealth from old Southern money. Life was pure bliss until a tragic accident occurs. Everything changes as a darkness falls over this beloved family.

Tragic accidents become common as time goes by. How long will this go on? Who will the next victim be? And who will survive the Mill Village curse?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781662458187

Book preview

Chapter 1

Lynard Omar Eubanks—Lyn to his friends and family—was a very distinguished gentleman who came from old Southern money. He’d just graduated from University of South Carolina with a degree in business management and was about to be married to his childhood sweetheart—Miss Emily Lee, also from old Southern money. As a wedding gift, his grandfather Eubanks presented him the deed to a beautiful old Southern mansion along with two hundred acres of land. Lyn had grown up on this property, visiting with his grandparents, riding horses, and playing with his younger siblings. Many times, they gathered around the piano and sang for hours as his grandmother—Elnora Margaurite—played. She had since passed away, having lived a long and happy life, leaving good memories for Lyn and his family. Grandfather had moved in with Lyn’s father as he had built a beautiful home of his own, and the mansion was much too big for grandfather now. Lyn was more than thrilled to receive it. It was an honor, and he planned to make more happy memories there.

Already, Lyn had envisioned a plan for the property. Cotton mills had been on the rise in the South, Gaylen, South Carolina, was the perfect place to build a new one, and 1900 was the perfect year—at the start of a new century. Lyn even thought of building homes on the surrounding acres for the employees to live and be able to walk to work. He could hardly contain himself, but for now, he had a wedding to plan. What better place for a wedding than grandfather’s mansion. He could hardly wait to discuss it with his future bride—Miss Emily.

Chapter 2

The air was bustling with excitement. The day of the wedding had arrived and what a beautiful day it was. The weather could not have been more perfect on this early June morning. All the flowers in Grandmother Elnora’s memorial garden were in full bloom. Miss Emily had the perfect view from the upstairs guest suite, and she was so excited. She would no longer be Miss Emily Lee. In just a few hours, she would be Mrs. Lynard Omar Eubanks. Her heart fluttered. Her sister Candace had joined her at the mansion for a bridal brunch this morning with all her bridesmaids and the couple’s mothers. Everything in the mansion was decorated beautifully, and the finishing touches were being finalized outside in the memorial garden where the ceremony was to take place.

Lyn was at his father’s home, so as tradition was not to see the bride before the wedding. He and the groomsmen celebrated with their own party the night before and would be getting all spruced up together after arriving later that day.

Lyn’s mother, Maria, was overseeing the hired hands’ last-minute touches as Miss Emily’s mother was helping her get dressed.

Finally, the hour had arrived. All the guests were seated as violins and cellos played a beautiful array of processional music. The wedding party began to proceed down the red carpet trailing from the mansion to the garden. Soon, the wedding march began, and Miss Emily appeared looking more radiant than ever before. Lyn beamed as he watched his bride led by her father toward him. The happiest day of his life had finally arrived. The nuptials had soon come to an end, and the happy couple danced and celebrated until the full moon shone brightly down on them. After showering them with rice for good fortune, the guests finally left. Emily and Lyn ascended the stairs. It was time to consummate this marriage.

Chapter 3

Shortly after the wedding, the land had started being cleared for the construction of the cotton mill. Lyn decided to name it Elnora Mills after his beloved grandmother. By that following summer—June of 1901, approximately one year after Lyn and Emily’s wedding—the mill was up and running. The sound of looms weaving and bobbins spinning soon filled the air. Many happy men and women along with some children were thankful to be employed.

The clearing of land and the construction of mill village homes was soon to follow. Lyn was very pleased with the progress his company and his dream was making. He had a road built in front of the mansion so he could just walk across to oversee all that was taking place in his new company. Emily kept busy staying in the social light and allowed her husband to handle business at Elnora Mills. Soon, she would have some exciting news to tell him!

Chapter 4

Emily could hardly contain herself as she left the doctor’s office on that cool crisp September morning of 1901. She could hardly wait to break the news to Lyn. She was in the family way. How exciting. She was living her dream: married to the perfect man who came from the perfect high-society family, living in a picture-perfect home, her husband was operating a perfectly successful business, they had perfect friends, and now they were going to be the perfect parents. Everything in her life was just perfect. Emily whispered a prayer—thanking God for all these blessings and adding a word of thanks for their health and good fortune.

Lyn was not home from the mill yet when Emily arrived at the mansion. Drats, she thought as she could hardly wait to tell him the news. Naomi the maid was busy cleaning downstairs, trying to get the dining room finished before Sadie the cook was ready to serve dinner. Emily just couldn’t help staring at the huge grandfather clock in the entrance foyer. It was less than an hour before Lyn should be getting home, though she had hoped he would arrive early. She was about to burst to tell him the news.

Is everything all right, ma’am? Naomi asked as she noticed Emily pacing in the foyer.

Oh, everything is more than all right, Naomi! she beamed. I have wonderful news, and I can hardly wait to tell my husband.

Could it be what I think it is? Naomi smiled. Emily stopped pacing and looked at Naomi.

How did you know? She smiled.

Well, you can see it all over you, ma’am. You’re glowing, and when you said you had a doctor’s visit scheduled and you’ve been getting sick in the early mornings after Mr. Eubanks leaves for work and then there’s the strange cravings in the afternoon—

Okay, okay, Naomi. You’re right already, but not a word to anyone else. I want Mr. Eubanks to be the first one I tell. He can’t hear it from anyone else but me. Promise.

All right, ma’am. He’ll hear nothing from me. I promise.

Thank you. He’ll be here soon. Do you think any of the other staff knows?

I don’t know ma’am. I haven’t heard anyone else mention it. I’ve kept my mouth shut as it is your business. You always had me fetch the strange snacks you were craving.

Yes, thank God for that. The doorknob clicked. Oh that must be Lyn now. Scoot, Naomi, so we can be alone. Naomi giggled as she bustled out of the foyer. The door sprang open, and Lyn stepped inside.

Chapter 5

Hello, darling! Lyn smiled as he removed his hat. Emily smiled as she felt her cheeks flush. She couldn’t help but giggle like a schoolgirl as she stepped toward her husband to embrace him.

Hello to you, darling. I have some wonderful news. She smiled.

I can’t wait to hear it, Lyn said as he looked into her eyes.

Well—she leaned back a little and tilted her head to the side—about eight months from now, someone we know is going to be a father. Lyn gasped.

No! You’re not? Emily nodded her head yes. Oh, darling, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. That’s the best news I’ve ever heard! Who else knows? he asked.

Well, Naomi sorta figured it out, and of course, Dr. Jamison knows. She laughed.

We’ve got to tell my parents and grandfather. Should we have them join us for dinner? Lyn asked.

Well, sure, if you’d like, but let’s not forget my parents and my dear sisters.

Oh, yes. Lyn bit his bottom lip. Perhaps we can have them all over here tomorrow evening if you think you can wait that long. Emily laughed again.

I’ll run by before we eat tonight and invite them over. I’ll get ready to go now. You sit down in the parlor and rest. Is there anything I can do for you before I go?

No, darling, Emily laughed out loud. You’ve already done enough. They laughed together for a moment. Then Lyn kissed Emily, picked up his hat, and headed out the door.

Chapter 6

The cool September evening was the perfect setting for the announcement of Lyn and Emily’s wonderful news. The mansion smelled scrumptious as Sadie the cook was preparing a small feast for the very important family guest to be arriving soon. The doorbell rang, and Naomi scurried to answer the front door. There on the stoop in all their Southern glory stood Emily’s parents—Ginger and Randolph Lee, rumored descendant of the famous Colonial Robert E. Lee. Though no one had ever found proof, Randolph always took pride in claiming this relative.

Welcome. Do come in. May I take your hat, Mr. Lee? Naomi smiled.

Sure. He grunted as he removed his hat and passed it to Naomi.

Smiling through gritted teeth, Naomi hung the hat on the nearby hall tree and pleasantly said, Drinks are being served in the parlor shortly if you’d like to have a seat there while waiting for our other guests. Ginger smiled and nodded as Mr. Lee snorted. He was an ornery old man. Follow me. Naomi led them to the parlor where Emily and Lyn were seated already. Your parents have arrived, Mrs. Emily, she announced.

Soon, the parlor was bustling full as the remaining guests arrived. Emily’s sisters were Thelma, Candace, and Laura. Thelma—the eldest—was married to Howard Conway, the owner of a successful clothing industry. Her sisters Candace and Laura—the youngest—were both single. Candace had just finished nursing school, and Laura was still attending university—studying the fine arts. She was a most exquisite painter. Lyn’s parents were Maria and Thomas Eubanks. Lyn’s father was the town banker who, of course, took care of all that old Southern money he was heir to. Lyn’s grandfather—Omar Eubanks—was still happy and healthy and about to burst with excitement to hear the big news. Grandfather Eubanks was Lyn’s middle namesake. Lyn’s two siblings were the last to arrive: his brother, James, and wife, Wilda, along with his sister, Dora, and her military husband, John. Lyn’s siblings had no children yet, so this was most exciting for the Eubanks family. As for Emily’s family, this would be the second grandchild as her sister Thelma had already started her family a few months ago. Emily’s baby, of course, will be the first great-grandchild for the Eubanks’s family. Grandfather Eubanks was the only great-grandparent present tonight as the others remaining lived out of state. They will be notified by mail.

When everyone had been seated comfortably in the parlor and all the men had been served brandy and fired up their pipes, Lyn and Emily stepped to the center of the room hand in hand. The room fell silent, and all eyes were on the couple with great anticipation. It’s time for our announcement! Lyn beamed. Emily and I are going to be parents. Gasps of joy filled the room as everyone crowded in to hug and kiss them with congratulations. The rest of the evening was overflowing with joy and laughter as their party continued. Life couldn’t get any better than this, Emily thought as she was filled with happiness. At least not until the baby arrived.

Chapter 7

Soon, the mansion was filled with the cries of a newborn baby boy: Lynard Omar Eubanks Jr., weighing in at eight pounds, arrived on May 28, 1902, and beautiful and perfect. Mother had a healthy delivery and was recovering well. Her sister Candace had moved in temporarily to assist with the baby. An upstairs bedroom had been fashioned into a nursery now. Some splashes of blue could be added since the baby was a boy. Emily was tired, but she was happy. Candace was worth her weight in gold while Emily rested during this very special time.

Lyn kept busy overseeing the mill. Now that Lynard—as the baby was to be called—had arrived, he thought about hiring a manager to give him more time off. He so wanted to spend more time at home now. He would start interviewing some men soon, and it couldn’t be soon enough. Business was increasing rapidly. Lyn wouldn’t be able to handle it all on his own, especially with a growing family.

Within the next two years, Emily gave birth to another son—Robert Earl, named for his thought-to-be-ancestor. He was also beautiful, healthy, and a perfect playmate for his brother, Lynard. He would be called Earl. He and Lynard would be inseparable. Five years later, Lyn and Emily would get the little girl they had prayed for. She was absolutely beautiful and reminded Lyn of his grandmother Eubanks, so he named her Elnora Marie—adding the middle name Marie to please his own mother. She was named for two of his favorite ladies. Of course, she would soon be his favorite of all.

Their family was growing. Their business was growing as was their wealth. Life just kept getting better and better for the Eubanks family. The homes Lyn had envisioned building around the vicinity of the mill were now successfully completed, and the rent the factory tacks paid added even more to the family’s wealth. Everyone was happy even down to the mill’s janitors. They had jobs, and they had homes. It was a joy to ride down the street and see his dreams had come true. The hiring of several shift managers had freed Lyn up to spend more time at home with his beautiful family. Life was good. Life was so good.

Chapter 8

Summer of 1912.

Um garde! Lynard shouted as he thrust his toy sword at Earl in the upstairs hallway.

Stop that sword fighting in the house, called Naomi from downstairs.

Lynard was now ten years old, and his brother Earl was eight and stuck to Lynard like glue. The two darted into the nearest door to escape Naomi’s fury. Soon, they realized they were in Great-Grandfather Eubanks’s old bedroom. They were never allowed in here. They were fascinated by all the collections of things they had never seen before. Grandfather loved horses, so he had sculptures of them everywhere. Then there was a collection of family photos framed and on the mantle above his fireplace. On his writing desk was a collection of pipes,