Back from the Dead

Ale Artrip miraculously returned home in 1929. His family was overwhelmed, but overjoyed. Artrip was very much alive and well, even though they’d mourned his passing since the 1890s.

Artrip went fishing with Hunt Hall, and Hall’s son, Dave, in 1899. The men planned to fish in the breaks of the Cumberland; however, Artrip never returned, and later a man’s skeleton was found. Authorities believed the remains were those of Artrip.

Hunt was convicted for the murder and sentenced to prison. Twenty years later, he lay on his deathbed. He confessed he didn’t want to face the hereafter with a guilty conscience. Hall admitted he hit Artrip with an axe and removed $100 from his pockets. He then covered him with dead wood, then set him on fire.

Artrip corroborated most of the story, right up until the fire. Artrip actually regained consciousness just before Hunt lit the debris. He escaped unseen. He was so terrified he fled the region, and remained gone until he knew Hunt was dead.

Dave Hall followed his father’s example. He shot two prohibition officers sometime after his father’s conviction. He was sentenced to thirty years in prison, ironically the same amount of time Artrip waited to returned. Dave escaped after two years and no further records of him can be found.

No proper identification was ever given to the human remains assumed to be Artrip.