“If you listen carefully,” The old man at the end of the bar started. “You’ll hear the Charred Sawyer shouting, looking for survivors.”
“Huh?” Seth said, snapping out of his thoughts.
“The Charred Sawyer still searches for those trapped during the Great Mill Fire. You can still hear him shouting in German, trying to save the innocent.”
It was Phoenix Night, an annual festival the people of Millcreek Crossing hold every year in honor and remembrance of the great mill fire that destroyed the original saw mills across the river, the town being spared solely thanks to the Black River. The Sawdust Tavern, the oldest remaining establishment in town, was frequently abuzz with rumors and legends from the fire, especially around the time of the festival.
“What is he saying?” Seth asked curiously, he had always been intrigued by the legend of the mill.
“How the hell should I know? I don’t speak kraut!” The old man snapped before taking a long swig of his beer. “The society should know however,”
There are those who believe the myths that an immigrant from Germany, Otto Voss, was the Charred Sawyer, some even say he wasn’t looking for survivors, but instead trying to end a curse put on the mill by remaining members of a local Native American tribe over 130 years ago. These people call themselves “The Black River Mill Society”, believing that Voss’s sacrifice was part of a contract made with the supernatural in retribution for the felling of a spiritually significant tree, the Grandfather Pine. Despite assurances from Elias Hargrove, the mills owner, the pine was ordered to be cut down by the mills fireman, an ambitious, power hungry man. Seth had just earned his bachelor’s degree in history, working his way to a master’s, possibly a doctorate, and his focus had been mostly during the later 1800s and early 1900s, especially the lumber industry tied to Millcreek.
“Where can I find this society?” Seth asked.
“You don’t want to find them, boy.” The old man replied. “But if you don’t mind your business, they’ll find you.”

5/5/2025, 4:28:34 PM