Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1860-05-17
The "Spiriis1 Moving Again.

Most of your readers have doubtless
heard Of the operations of some mysteri-
Gus and invisible power on the persons, fur
niture. DC, of the Johnsan family, residing
near Lafayette Square. The family con-
sists of an aged couple and their grand
child, a little girl about eight years DID,
They are quite respectable people, and the
disturbances which have occurred in their
house have been great trial to them.
The first thing they noticed was that
their salt dish and pepper castor were filed
with water, and then dishes commenced
breaking; they would rise from the shelves
and come to the floor with q crash; tables
would move about, and when loaded with
dishes turn over, destroying everything
possible, and to such an extent has this
been carried that they have been obliged
to nail the table to the side of the house.
Chairs will rise from the floor in the kitch-
en- and 60 into the wood house without any
person near them; pals of water are often
upset. At one time Mrs. johnson set an
empty pail on the floor, and en- crossing
the room it followed her; much vexed,
she gave it a push, exclaiming, "Go back
where you came from" 1t obeyed, but
Immediately returned to her again, cross
ing the room three or four times. While
cooking their meals the kettles will be up
set and their contents quietly landed on
the floor, much to the indignation of the
household. One day as everything SEEM
ed to be breaking to pieces, Mrs. John
son thought she would put some of her
most valuable articles Of glassware in
pail and tie them to the side of the
house with rope. While attempting to do
so, coffee pot came from the pantry across
the room, striking her on the back. Call
ing the girl she told her to hold it down
to the floor, while she tied the pail, the
child endeavored to do so, but her hands
were twisted around, causing her such pain
that she was obliged to let 60, when the
coffee pot again hit Mrs. johnson, and as
it came to the floor, the handle came of.
Mrs. johnson then threw it in the stove,
exclaimiDg, "Tll see if l cannot burn the
witches out of it."
One particular bed seems especially SUBJ
ject to strange influences; the clothes will
be taken of, rolled up and put under the
bed; and as for keeping straw in it. it is
utterly impossible, it will be thrown all
over the room. At one time Mrs. John
son sewed up the bed with double twine,
and with much satisfaction went to put
away her needle; on returning, what was
her dismay to find the sewing taken out
and the straw flying about the room.
At first they were not much disturbed
On Sunday or evenings; but about two
weeks ago, on Sabbath morning, when Mn.
Johnson was alone, she sat down and be-
gan to read aloud in her Bible. Presently
'be heard rapping on the stove. Having
become accustomed to all sorts Of disagree
bic interruptions she determined not to mo-
ice it. but raising her voice commenced
'eading in 3 louder tone, but the rapping
oecame also louder, and increased to such
. degree that, finding her voice wholly
lrowned in the uproar, she at length de-
listed, when a voice said: 'I will burn
7our Bible, will burn your Testamsnt I
will break your stove 70 pieces, will break
,our windows, will tear up your floor"
The Bible is often taken from the stand
md hurled to the floor with such force that
here is scarcely . whole leaf left. Sincs
he first voice spoke andibly, two other
oices have been heard speaking, in con-
radiction to each other. Al one time one
oice said, at is the spirit Of this childs
,other who is doing all this" Another
oics said, "No, it is the devil" Still an
ther voice said, at is your neighbors."
These singular occurrences Of course
tract crowds Of people.
Being an acquaintance Of the family,
heir niece handed the above communica-
on to me, expressing wish for its pub
cation. l therefore submit it to you for
onsideration. MRs. ]. F. CLARK.
~A Miss Gale died at Rainsyills,
[ichigan, Of cancer of the stomache, who
i n L II - = u and