The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-02-09
GHOST CORRESPONDENTS.

1t is seldom that we condescend to pay any at
tention to ANONYMOUS communications addressed
to us, in our editorial capacity, especially where
the tenor of the nameless letters borders upon
the offensive and impudent. We cannot refrain,
however, from serving up for the edification of
our [many readers, rerbatunc ct hterdtins, few
specimens of the ridiculous comments that have
been elected from several thickskulled and igno-
rantly superstitious individuals, by the publca-
ton in yesterdays issue of what any man, with the
least particle of common sense, could readily per-
ccve was but q serio-con,ic humorous burlesque
of the ridiculous ghost stories freely circulated
in reference to the owl-like and calf-like sounds
that have been heard of late in the vicinity of the
burnt district adjacent to the Circular Church.
Letter number one reads as follows
CHARLESTON, February s, 1866.
Editors Daily Ne,os: GENTLEMEN-I have been
much panied and surprised, on the perusal of
sensation article, published in this mornings is
sue of 'THE NEWS" at perceiving that your desire
to create an excitement in our quiet community
should so far have got the better Of your sense OF
propriety as to have induced you in allusion to
the absurd ghost stories in relation to the strange
sounds that have been heard to proceed from the
ruins of the Circular Church. so to pander to the
superstitious fears of the timid as to create in
fail to arise from diseased Imagination, artfuiy
worked upon by suggestions OF supernatural vista
tions. I am at loss to conceive what good result
accrue from this foolish erdeavor on your part
to get up sensation story calculated to produce
such evil results.
Respectfully, y. 5.
Now we have not the slightest suspicion as to
tho identity of our unknown correspondent; but
inasmuch as he signs the initials n S., We take it
for granted that he is num-skull, and so by this
name wo will speak ofhin. Mr.. NUM-SKULL must
certainly be afflicted with collection of mud on
the brain, or he would have perceived ut glance
that in our remarks in relation to tho 'absurd
ghost stories," we most cmphatically intimated
that ghost number one was nothing but en- OWL
and ghost number two an innocent calf; and that,
moreover tho tenor of the entire article was such
as made it evident to any one but q num-skull,
that we simply intended to burlcsque tho whole
affair. 1t seems to us that the gentleman him
self is o little nervous-that ho himself heads the
list of the "timid, upon the diseased imagination
Of whom such unwholesome effects have heen
produced. We advise the gentleman to read the
Bible, and to endcavor to root out from his dis
cascd ma gnaton all spirits of screechlng owls
and blcating calves. Letter two reads thus
FEB Sth. 1SG6-CHARLEsToN
Mr.. EpITuR-DRE SUR Tho Shose story IS al!
nonsentz. Thuse things in the steaplo is pnssel
of pigeons, an the animal is nothen but CRATE
big newfundlang dog. II you will look in yore
own papur of to days date, you Will sec tho ad-
vurtisement of the dog lost.
This is even better explanation than the afsto-
ry, and beats the bear and panther story ali hollow.
Letter number three is from strict believer in
ghost stories For the benefit of NJ. um-Skun,
We would remark, en- pdssant, that we do not en-
dorse the opinions and sentiments therein set
down.
CHARLESTON, February 8.
Nessrs Eduors,-I perceive from an article pub
lshed in The NEWS of to-day's issue that you arc
endeavoring to throw into ridicuo most serious
matter. refer to the strange sounds and stranger
siqhts that myself have heard and seen night
after night in and around the burnt district on
which stand the ruins of the old Circular Church.
If you would visit the spot in earnest on any night
YOU choose between the hours of twelve and two,
hear what have heard, see what nave seen, and
feel ,c1at hare felt, your opinion would probably
undergo some change.
So much for the ghost correspondence. We
again repeat that VIC favor the owl and calf or dog
solution of tho problem.