Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-15
For the PUBLIC LEDGER.l
Tho Haunted House on Orleans Street.

"
For the PUBLIC LEDGKR.l
The Haunted House on Orleans Street.
Mr.. EDIroR: 1t has been surmised, or
at least intimated, that certain party
had this house purpossly beset with
brickbats and other missiles for the OBJ
ject of soaring eg all purchasers at
public sale that was soon to be made Of
it. with the view of buying it himself at a
low figure; and yet this same party pub
licly denied that the house was haunted ?
Now, how can that charge be reconciled
with this fact? Again, it is said that
when the boy and negro were arrested
All the phenomena ceased. This have
also heard contradicted. But even if it
be the truth, it does not necessarily fol-
low that the boy and negro we're crimi-
nslly involved, or even cognizant of any
participation or personal agency; nor
indeed does it of necessity implicate any
one else. History furnishes many we'll
authenticated cases Of this sort. William
Perkins, distinguished preacher of
Cambridge, England, published an elabo-
rate treatise on the subject, entitled
"Discourse of the Damned Art"
Without citing the wonderful phe-
nomena that occurred in the Wesley
family founders of modern Method
ism" J, attested by both John and Charles
Wesley, as well as by their sisters, and
vouched by their eminent biographer,
DR.. Adam Clarke, the learned commen-
tator, or any other autheHtic record OF
these marvellous manifestations, we will
Just offer a criticism or review from q
late number of Lippincotfs Magazine
on "Salem Witchcraft and Kindred
Subjects" by Hon. Charles W. Upham.
10 the year 1879 William Morse, q
simple, honest, good old man, was living
with his aged wife, as exemplary as him
self, in small house which stands, or
was standing twenty years ago, on the
corner of Market street, in Newburyport,
and directly opposite the Episcopal
Church. Besides a cat, " sedate and
grave" their only inmate was grand.
son, who seems to have been an uncom-
monty vivacious youth. All of sudden
the quiet of this peaceful home was
broken up, as if by the very spirit of mis-.
chief. Things began to move hither and
thither, as though there was no such
principle as gravitation or inertia. Often
the demon seemed to be lurking in the
chimn ney, up whose huge throat he sud-
denly drew whatever object there was
about, only to hurl it back as suddenly.
The shoemaker hammer and awl, stones
and bricks, sticks of wood and burning
brands were thus snatched up and tossed
back. Strings of sausage hung up to dry
would descend to the floor, and then
vault into chair; pots hanging over the
fire got into scufle, and knocked one
another so hard that they had to be sepa'
rated one of the andirons, after dancing
a jig on the hearth, jumped, still pirouet
ting, into the kettle, and thence made
spring to the table, kicking over the pot,
the bedstead ambulatory, and the bed re-
fused to be made up, SO turbulent were
sheet, blanket and pillows; tubs and
trays were upset; the spinning-wheel
turned topsy-turvy; drawers opened and
shut of their own accord, and SO did the
doors, going to with slam. The IRON
wedges and the garden spade few about
as if they were feathers. Nor were
these missiles wholly innocuous; Mrs.
Morse was hurt by flying stone,
and her husband was hit by yolant
shoe. Mr.. Morse being at prayer,
one of the chairs began making bows to
him, and getting no return, gave him a
sharp dig in the side. There was good
deal more of the same sort; but enough
for the present. 1h
The point to which we would invite
special attention, is the character OF
those remarkable phenomena-which
brought so much trouble to Goodman
Mars house hundred and eighty years
ago. In regard to the nature, Mr. Up
ham expresses no opinion beyond what
we may gather from the words "auda-
cious operations" applied in one in
stance TO the boy. For all that appears,
he regards all those extraordinary mani-
festations as the mischievous pranks ofa
quick witted and quick-hsnded young
rogue. Just so, also, they appear to
nave Dccu Ickoiuca W vOcuuo NNuhui
whose minute account ofthe whole affair
may be seen in his history of Newbury,
published in ls45. This too, SO far as
we can make it out, was the view of
Caleb Powell, at the time and on the |
spot Since we first read the narrative |
in Coffin's Newbury, We have had but
one opinion respecting it, and that GER |
taiuly is very different from the impress
sion Just referred to. Let US look at the
case. Upon the testimony of William
Marr and other eye witnesses, no doubt
was cast at the time, nor has been cast |
since. What, then, are the rnquestioned |
fscts7 Articles both light and heavy are |
suddenly lifted from their resting place
TO rush up the chimney, or career about
the room. The dinner-pot and tea -ket-
tie 20 to loggerhesds. and the and iron
cspers like q French pasture master.
Within the house and wiihoSt-by night |
and By dsy-brisks, sticks and stones are
seen. heard, felt as they vhirl through |
the air CT strike objects within their |
reach. Heavy articles Of wood and iron