Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-02-17
SPIRIT SENSATION.
LOuis-A Chtld's Spirit I'm Rtue-If
TALKS, Laughs, and Cuts mp Naner-
Ous Franks.
From the st. Louis Republican, Jan. 80.

Louisa ChtId's Spirit In Rtue-l
Talks, Laughs, and Cuts mp Nan er
ous Pranks.
From the st. Louis Republican. Jan. 80.
East st. Louis has yeritable sensatior
Not q criminal incident, nor an outre acc
dent, but haunted house. It is not ez
actly in East St Louis, but near enough I
he easily accessible, and sufficiently pecu
liar in the character of its hauntings to ex
cite vast amount Of comment, and eve
no small amount of excitement.
The sIirit-possessed mansion is situate
on the Belleville road, a little over tw'
miles from East St. Louis. 1t is a SINAI
frame house on what is known as the Bob
bineaux farm. and Is occupied by Mr.. v
B nnett and family, and is little viii
drawn from the road. 1t is now some tim
ago since the first alleged spiritual nanifes
tations occurred, but more recently tn,
noises and voices have grown louder an6
more frequent, until the fame thereof ha
run throughout st. Clair county ant
further.
The pi reducing cause of all the commo
tion is said to be the spirit of a little cir
in blue, who or which is frequently visibl,
to little girl of MIR. Benefits family A
curious feature of the affair is, that the op
eratiors of the spirit or spirits are not con
fined to the night, but occur in open day
Coats and other garments hung on hook.
in the wall are seen suddenly to drop tt
the ground. then again they they will slowly
move up again and regain theirposition Oh
the hook. Noises are heard. scratching
noises. as if q child's finger tips were being
drawn over the plaster and walls. Disturb
lx<.L ,,~
running up there, it is found empty snd
silent. A child's voice is reported to be
often heard-a merry voice, suggestive ol
mischievous pranks. Nay. more; it is
firmly alleged that the voice answers ques
tions not difficult queries, but such az
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 disturos furniture. On Friday, as is
reported. one of the little girls was coming
in from the well. and conld hardly get
along, owing to the 'way the thing was
pulling me-"
AS above indicated, one of the family, a
little girl, AYERS that she se.s the spirit II
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. special
reporter despatched to the scene became
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 il. 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 )ied by Mr.. Vital Bennett. The
house is one of those rural edIfices which
may be seen in all farming communities
the State of Illinois. We pass
ed through narrow gate, and were soon
greeted by the fierce bark o, the faithful
watch dog, who seemed disposed to dispute
our passage. The house is small frame
building, composed of two rooms and a
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 a seat in the neatly
pa,lor, and feeling ourselves at
home, We laid orr things outside aud hung
our outer garments on n nail. Engaged for
q moment, we turned around, and our gar
ments had disappeared. What had become
OF them? No one could tell; only they are
gone. Entering into conversation with
the spirit" we were told who we were,
where we came from. 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, dress ed
in 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-
peateely pulled and handled. and some
thing is awaiting demonstration; and
Here our communication breaks Off
Such being the position of matters. nc
doubt the house will be haunted by host.
of visitors. The family is described as
simple, rural household. and totally upabl.
to understand the so-called manifestation
themselves. Durins today it is said quite
a large party will visit Mr.. Benefits farm
from East st. Louis.
An explanation of haunted house car
generally be found other than that furnished
by the lovers of the marvellous and super
natural, but in the meantime the house OF
tine Belleville road promises to become al
famous as the house at Waterdown.
child spirit in blue; laughing. talking
pulling ones clothes, rafting furniture
blowing out lights and relighting then
again with its pretty little fiery electri,
lips. Here's a sensation that should awakel
all the curiosity of st. Louie Spiritualists
and which beats Harper's Magazine stor.
all to nothing.
We await further DEVELOPMENTS.