Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-11-10

Twenty years ago, one Of the most promi-
nent objects that met the eye of the lake voy-
ager as he entered the mouth of Grand River
from Lake Erie, was large brick mansion
situated on the very bank Of the lake, some
FIVE hundred yards to the eastward of the lit
tie cluster of houses digniied by the name of
Fairport, a favorive resort of steamers to pro-
cure wood, and quite as favorite a port for
sail vessels in STERN, as the harbor was far
more easy of access than any other on the
southern shore of Lake Erie
For more than two years previous to the
spring Of 1882, this brick mansion at the
mouth Of Grand River had borne the reputa-
ton Of being haunted Almost every night
strange, unnatural sights and terrible noises
bad been seen and heard in and about the
house, and although several Investigations had
taken place by men who claimed that it was
all hoax, skilfully managed by human agen-
cy, yet nothing that gave any clue to the mys-
terry had been elected, and the people of the
village, great many farmers in the neighbcr-
hood, and hundreds of travellers, became as
firmly convinced that the deserted mansion
was really the haunt Of COLLINS, ghosts, aad
demons, as they were aware of the fact that
the house had stood there for more than two
years uninhabited
1t was in the latter part of July, 1882 that
the schooner to which belonged made har.
Dor in Grand River about sunrise and before
noon there were full thirty lake craft put in
like ourselves for shelter from severe north
east storm which was raging outside.
Most of us we're familiar with the many
ridiculous stories current respecting the haun-
ted house, many of the number believed them
all, and some few-myself among the number
secuted the idea of there being nything
at all supernatural about the matter
Wewere discussing the subject pro and con,
thirty Of us perhaps. in an old warehouse on
the wharf, when one Of our number-Captain
Birney, the commander Of ono of the vessels
in port, proposed visit to the mansion by
daylight, for the purpose of making thor
ough examination o. the premises. The mo-
ton was instantly seconded by majority of
the party, and off we went at once to put our
resolution in practice.
We found the house. what in those days
was considered a fashionable modern built
structure standing little back from the road
where the bank began to slope off towards
the beach, so that the mansion, which was
three stories on the street front was four
next the lake, the lower one being an open,
light basement for about half the width of
the house, with great dark cellar separated
by brick wall from the kitchen, in the rear
The house had been built for hotel and
the whole length of tho street front. there was
balcony with porch and seats all round it
except at the entrance, capable, altogether, of
seating forty or fifty people comfortably
The original proprietor of the house had gone
off with the Mormons after inhabiting it about
two years; but whether be still owned the
place, or whether there was any owner for it
or not no one pretended to know One thing
however was very certain. No one had lived
there--at least no mortal tenant, for more
than two years, and the people Stunned it as
the abode of evil spirits.
Within, the house presented an appearance
much like that Of other buildings under The
same circumstances. and the only mysterious
features we could discover were that on every
doop, from the cellar to the attic, and on both
sides. just about the centre, was traced St.
Andrews cross, and upon close examina-
ton. the material used for thepurpose proved
to be blood. The other mystery was, that
on all the floors. were an infinite number of
tracks made by naked human feet some of
them slim and delicate like those of women,
while by far the greater portion we're those
Of stout, full grown men.
All these tracks resembled exactly those
made by person coming out of a clay pit, or
mortar bed, and walking over smooth sur
face, leaving tae prints Of the toes and the
whole shape of the foot. outlined By depos-
ite of mud the material in this instance, be.
ing identical with that used for the manufac.
ture of brick.
After many arguments AMI suggestions as
to the origin. design, or meaning of these
mysterious tracks and crosses, Capt. Birney
gave it as his positive conviStian that they
were the nandiwork Of demons.