The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-02-18
SPIRIT SENSATIOY.
The Haunted House mar East st
Louisa Child's Spirit I'm Blue-lt
Talks, Laughs, and Cuts up Numer-
Gus Franks
From the ST. Louis Republican, Jan. 80.

Talks, Laughs, and Cuts up Numer-
Gus Franks
From the st. Louis Republican, Jan. 80.
East st. Louis has a veritable sensation.
Not criminal incident, nor an outre acci-
dent, but a haunted house. 1t is not ex-
actly in East ST. Louis, but near enough 10
be easily accessible, and sufficiently pecu-
liar in the character of its hauntings to ex-
cite vast amount of comment, and even
no small amount of excitement
The sIirit-possessed mansion is situated
on the Belleville road, little over two
miles from East st. Louis. 1t is small
frame house on what is known as the Bob
binelux farm, ard is occupied by Mr.. VI
B nnett and family, and is little with
drawn from the road. 1t is now some time
ago since the first alleged spiritual manifes-
tations occurred, but more recently the
noises and voices have grown louder and
more frequent, un il the fame thereof haf
run throughout st. Clair county aAd
further.
The producing cause Of all the commo-
ton is said to be the spirit of little girl
in blue, who or which is frequently visible
to a little girl of MIR. Bennstt's family. A
curious feature of the affair is, that the op-
erations of the spirit or spirits are not con-
fined to the night, but occur in open day.
Coats and other garments hung on hooks
in the wall are seen suddenly to drop to
the ground, then again they they will slowly
move up again and regain their position on
the hook. Noises are heard, scratching
noises, as if child's finger tips were being
drawn over the plaster and walls. Disturb
ances will be heard in the garret, but on
running up there, it is found empty and
silent. A child's voice is reported to be
often heard-a merry voice, suggestive of
mischievous pranks. Nay, more; it is
firmly alleged that the voice answers ques-
tions-no difficult queries, but such as
could be answered by any ordinary young
girl. Sometimes the voice is faint elm
whisper, then again more clearly genuine
human voice. 1t will keep up dialogue
sometimes, and at others will only speak
in sentences, and be audible to particular
persons. This saucy spirit, however, goes
further, and pulls the children's dresses
and distur0s furniture. On Friday, as is
reported, one of the little girls was coming
in from the well, and could hardly get
along, owing to the ''way the thing was
pulling me"
As above indicated, one of the family,
little girl, AYERS that she se:s the spirit 1t
is that of little girl about II years of age,
dressed in blue merino frOck, with furs,
and wearing bonnet and cloak.
Numbers of people from East st. Louis
and vicinity have visited the house, and all
come away amazed with the wonder. -
Among others, it is said Father label, OF
the Catholic Institute, was called to the
house on Thursday, and expressed the
opinion that it was an evil spirit. A special
reporter despatched to the scene became
unnerved, and could only furnish disjoint-
ed memoranda OF his visit. Yesterday Col.
Jarrolt, Mayor of East st. Louis, proceed
ed to the house with several other gentle
men. They returned home convinced there
was something in it. Here are some notes
of one of the party:
Leaving the city of Illinoistown in our
rear, we took an easterly course from the
turnpike, and soon discovered the house
occu Jied by Mr.. Vital Bennett. the
house is one of those rural edifces which
may be seen in all farming communities
throughout the State of Illinois. We pass
ed through narrow gate, and were soon
greeted by the fierce bark of the faithful
watch dog, who seemed disposed to dispute
our passage. The house is small frame
building, composed of two rooms and
garret overhead. We were greeted at the
door by a sweet little girl of twelve sum-
mers, who said, 'Come in, gentlemen, and
see the spirit" Taking seat in The neatly
furnished parlor, and fe= ling ourselves at
home, we laid our things outside and hung
our outer garments on a nail. Engaged for
a moment, we turned around, and our gar
ments had disappeared. What had become
o. them? No one could tell; only they are
gone. Entering into a coversatiOn with
the spirit" we were told who we were,
where we came fron2 and what our busi-
ness was. Little Hattie, the child of Mr..
Bennett is the only person who can see the
wonderful specter, whom she defines as be-
ing child about IL years of age, dressed
in q blue nerino frock, with furs, bonnet
and cloak Clothes, articles of furniture,
barrels Of -four, and in fact, every movable
object within the house has been removed
from its position. Doors are opened, un-
hung and removed; lights blown out are
relighted; garments on the family are re-
peate ly pulled and handled, and some
thing is awaiting demonstration; and
Here our communication breaks OFF
Such being the position of matters, no
doubt the house will be haunted by hosts
of visitors. The family is described as
simple, rural household. and totally unable
to understand the sO-called manifestations
themselves. During to-day it is said quite
a large party will visit Mr.. Benefits farm
from East st. Louis, 5t
An explanation OF haunted house can
generally be found other than that furnished
by the lovers of the marvellous and super
natural, but in the meantime the house on
the Belleville road promises to become as
famous as the house at Waterdown. A
enild s spirit in blue; laughing talking,
pulling ones clothes, Ia'tling furniture,
blowing out lights and relighting Them
again with its pretty little fiery electric
lips. Here's sensation that should awaken
all the curiosity OF ST. Louie Spiritualists,
and which beats Harper's Magazine story
all to nothing.
W. a1va,t E,rthar daveIonunen