The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-09-29
THE, DAILY DISPATCH
IAs A. CowARDIN, Proprietor.
HIGH PLEASANTS, Editor.

HUGH r. PLEASANTS, Editor.
TuE HAUNTED HousE.-On the Southern
hank Of the river, about a mile west OF ,his
city. stands upon very conspicuous eminence
: large old brick house, familiar TO the eyes
of al the citizens Of Richmond, and known as
",he haunted house." There it has stood, for
nesrly fifty years, SOLITARY and alone" the
cold winds whistling through its open win
dows, monument of all that is dreary and
desc!aie How it obtained the cognomen OF
"lhe haunted house." we know not. Feeling
desire 10 know something of the history of
this celebrated abode OF ghosts and hobgoblns,
we were induced, a few days ago, to pay it
. visit We found none Of the frighlful family
ST home. Rawhead and bloody bones were
not tht7s. For halt an hour we sojourned
within It's barren and silent walls, the only
qhos, 10 be seen or heard. Nor could we dis
cover anv signs Of ghosts from another world
having been there; although there were abun-
dant evidences of u large number of the spir-
is Of this world having paid it visit. The
haad-wri,ngs upon the wall, and other signs,
sloSed that the most mischievous ghosts of
all, the living spirit. of this world, had haunt
ed it more than the dead ghosts of another
world. There were no spirits there, "black
or white" living or dead, TO hold converse
with US, either in relation to the history of the
house, the affairs Of this, or of the things of the
world to come. But, our visit was not an un-
profitable one. We came away pleased that
we had made il; fer we obtained one of
the most pleasing, beautiful, and magnificent
views Of Richmond and all the surrounding
country, that we ever behed. We found that
that Old house occupies the highest point and,
commands The most extensive and charming
more delightful place for a residence is no
whore 10 be found in the vicinity of Richmond.
From no other point can be obtained so full,
accurate. and beautiful view Of Richmond, the
river scenery, and all the surrounding country.
1t commands fine view at every point of the
compass, embracing Manchester, Rockets,
Richmond the River, Islands and Bridges, the
Canal, &c. Here is choice spot for the ex-
ercse OF the artists pencil, or the painters
brush. At o'clock in the evening, 1.-THE hour
atwhch we visited "lhe haunted house,")
wien the declining sun is gliding the houses,
steepies, bridges, &c, with silyery brightness,
& scene of almost unequaled beauty is pre-
sented. view such as would have compeH-
stated us for a walk of at least ten instead OF
two miles. We are surprised that no one ever
thought OF making that his local habtation -
The walls of The house are still apparently as
good as ever, Ito the credit of the bricklayer be
It said) and the slate-roof, but little the worse
ior wear. The interior of the house, although
originally finished las far as completely in the
best style, has received much damage from
the mischeyous ghosts who have haunted the
house from Richmond and elsewhere, and
needs repairs. There is fine spring of water
on the river bank, just below the house, and
everything inviting except alone The ghosts.
But, we aprrehend, they would be the least
troublesome of all spirits.
The Haunted House." we understand, was
built near fifty years ago, bv two gentlemen
OF the names of Winston and WaddeTl, who
purchased the lend adjacent to the river there,
Tor the purpose of erecting a milling establish
menf. After they had proceeded SO far as The
rectlon of dam across the stream to Bell
Isle, had laid the foundation of their mills ard
hsd erected the house of which we have been
speaking, on the hill Immediately above their
backed the water upon the cotton factory mills
OF their nelghbors Immediately above. Amin
Junction aud suit at law put q stop to further
operations, and finally, after ncu,ring cons:-
defable labor and expense, the mill, dwelling
house, &c, were all abandoned-and thus has
Tue property remained unoccupied and unim-
proved ever since. Bur, the day is not distant,
We predic', when this property will claim a
mucA higher estimate than at present, and
when great change will come over the face
OF things round and about "ihe haunted house ="
"
OLE BUILT was stated in our paper on
Monday, that Ole Bull had taken the prelimi-
nary step towards bee oming citizen Of the
United States. When that part of the decla-
ration Of intentions was read to him which re-
quired him to swear allegiance to the United
States, and abandon all fealty TO the King cf
Norway and Sweden, the violinist put his hand
upon his hear. and in the most impressive
manner said:
a desire to be deemed worthy of so great a
privilege and shall remit no efforts 10 merit
IT: l have never sworn aiegiance to the King
OF Norway and Sweden, nor to any other Po-
tentate, nor have bowed The knee TO any but
my God (poinling upwards, and hi. face
beaming with all that he felt within him. al
shall value the privilege cf citizenship above
every other earthly object, and shall endeavor
to Introduce hundreds Of thousands Of my coun-
ttymen to SO great boon, that they may also