Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1870-02-15

! East St- Louis Las NerItabie sensation
! Not criminal incident, nor an ouire accident,
but haunted house. 1t is not exactly in
| East St. Louis, but near enough to be easily
/ accessible and sufficiently peculiar in the char
acter of its hauntings to excite a vast amount
of comment and even no small amount of
excitement.
The spirit>possessed mansion is situated on
4 the Belleville road, little over two miles from
East st. Louis 1t is a small frame house, on
what is known as the Rubbineaux farm. and
is occupied by Mr.. V. Bennett aud family,
and is little Withdrawn from the road. 1t
is now some time ago since the first alleged
| spiritual manifestations occurred but more
recently the noises and voices have grown
louder and more frequent until the fame
thereof has run throughout ST. Clair county
and farther.
The producing cause of all the commotiou
is said to be the spirit of little girl in blue
who or which is frequently visible to little
| girl Of Mr. Benefits flmiIy. a curious
feature of the affair is that the operations of
the spirit or spirits are not confined to the
night, but occur in open day. Goats and
other garments hung on hooks in the wall are
seen suddenly to drop to the ground then
again they will move slowly up again and re-
gain their position on the hook. Noises are
heard, scratching noises, as if chid's finger
tips were being drawn over the dry plaster of
the ceiling aud walls. Disturbances will be
/ heard in the garrett but on running up there
/ il is found empty and silent. a chld's voice
/ is reported to be often hcard-a merry voice,
suggestive of mischievous pranks.
Nay, more, it is firmly alleged that the voice
answers questions difficult queries, but
| such as could be answered by any ordinary
young girl. Sometimes the voice is faint
eiin 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 chiidren's dresses and disturbs fur
niture. On Friday, is reported. one of the
little girls was coming in from the well and
could hardly get along, owing to "she way the
thing was pulling me"
As above indicated, one of the family, a lit
tie girl, AYERS that she sees the spirit 1t is
that of a little girl about twelve years of age.
dressed i'll a blue mcrino freck, with furs and
wearing bonnet aud cloak.
Numbers OF people from East St. Louis and
vicinity h We visited the house, aud all come
away amazed with the wonder. Among
others it is said Father label. of the Carholic
Institute, was called to the house on Thurs
day, and-ex pressed the opinion that il was au
evil spirit \ special reporter dispatched TO the
scene became unnerved, and could only fur
nish disjointed memoranda of his visit eS-
derduy Colonel Jarrolt, Mayor of East ST.
L6uia. proceeded to the house with several
other gentlemen. They returned home con
vinced there something III it. Here are
some notes Of one of the party:
Leaving the city of lliiuoistown in our rear
we took an eas ery course from the turnpike.
and sun0 hiscnypreI tho knuga nerupieH hv
MIR. Vital Bennett The house is one of those
rural edtces which may be seen in all rming
communities throughout the State of Illinois
| We passed through narrow gate, and were
soon greeted by the fierce bark of the faithful
watch dog. who seemed disposed to dispute
our passage.
The houscis a small frame building COM
posed of two rooms and garret overhead
We were greeted at the door by sweet lit
tie girl OF twelve summers. who said, Come
in, gentlemen, and see the spirit" Taking
a seat in the neatly furnished parlor, and feel
ing ourselves at home. we laid our things OUT
side and hung our outer garments on a nail.
Engaged for moment, we turned around, and
our garments had disappeared.
What has become of them? No one could
tell only they had gone. Entering into a
conversation with the spirit" we were told
who we were, where we came from and>what
our business was Little Hattie, the child Of
Mr.. Bennett, is the only person who can see
the wonderful spectre, whom she defines a.
being child OF, apparently, about twelve
years of age, dressed in blue merino 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, unhunS and removed lights blown
out reIighted, garments on the family are
repeatedly pulled and handled, and something
is awaiting demonstration and -
Here our communication breaks off.
Such being the position of matters. DO 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
viii visit Mr.. Benefits from East St Louis.
-"How is your father getting along now ~
I said to the little daughter of man formerly
poor iuebriate, bu, whom, come months
before had induced to sign the pledge
lie Is getting along very weIl,'' was his
reply.
Has he kept his pledge ?"
ooh yes" she joyf1lly said.
'Are you sure he has ~
Yes. sir, am quite sure"
How is it you are SO positive on this ?"
| I asked.
Why" said she, and her face was radiant
! with JOY, ''he never abuses mother any more );
( We have always plenty TO eat. and he never
takes off my shoes to pawn them for drink
now. This is why know it."
That was profound philosopher who
| com2ared advertising to a growing crop lie
/ said The farmer plants his seed. aud while
he is sleeping the corn is growing. So with
advertising while you are sleeping or eating,
vour advertisement is being read by thousands
/ of persons who never saw you or heard OF you
Z g. ,-c,,r Vrrr would