Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-10-14
HAUNTED HOUSE.
The Ghost of A Wieke ed Marine.

HE MAKES THINGS LIVELY IN HIS OLD HOME.
The neighborhood OF eth street, between G and
n streets southeast, has been the scene of great
excitement this week, in consequence Of stories
IN circulation that a two-story frame house in
the rear of the garrison, occupied by a family
named Bonehart, is haunted by the ghost Of its
foI mer occupant, marine by the name of How
ard. He was the owner of the house, and died
there some eight or nine months since. He is
represented to have been
A PAINFULLY WICKED MAN,
who abused his family and all around him, and
finally died disappearing his Maker and cursing
his wife and children. His widow and children
soon moved from the premises, not being able
the house, and they rented il to the Bonehart's,
who took possession about two months since, not
hearing anything about the house being haunt
ed This family, soon after moving in, became
very uncomfortable; they could not sleep at
night, and all became very nervous. They al
lege that
STRANGE NOISES
were heard every night, which they could not
account for. Doors would be found open which
had been previously locked. When the family
were on the lower door loud rappings would be
heard up stairs, and when the family were in
the upper rooms the rappings would appear TO
be below, as If some one was striking a table
with a rattan stick. The back door would be
found open after il had been carefully bolted
and when ii was closed loud knocks were some
times heard on the outside, making il shake.
This was at frst thought TO be done by some one
on the outside, but during its continuance the
family would look ont from an upper window
Immediately above, and nothing could be seen,
although the knocking would continue. A blind
door connecting with the next house, and which
had been securely fastened up for years, was on
several occasions found wide open, and no one
could account for that. On Tuesday night last,
a cOlored girl living with the Boneharts retired
TO bed in an upper room at rather a late hour,
and when almost asleep she suddenly heard
steps softly ascending the stairs, and saw the
Election of what was apparently lighted lamp,
but believing IL was some member of the fam
lily, she did not trouble her mind about il, until.
hearing heavy groan by the door, which stood
ajar, she raised up in bed, and says she saw
THE GHOST OF CID HOWARD.
The light in his lamp was at once extinguished,
and blue and red streaks of light shot through
the room. AT one bound she was up and raising
a frightful scream, which reused the whole
house, she bolted down stairs and left the house
in her night clothes, the entire family following
her. The colored girl could not be induced TO
did, and after they had retired they heard terri
BILE groaning from up stairs. Bonehart pur-
suaded his wife that it was the window shutters
swinging. in the wind, although he did not be-
lieye ii himself.
THE GHOST UNDER BED.
Very soon the bed in which they were laying
began to move out into the middle of the room,
and loud groans came from underneath it. This
SO frightened them that they left the house, and
Bonehart went to the station house, where he
told his story. Officer O'Hare at once repaired
to the place, and found the family running
away from the house. He examined the premi-
ses throughout, but could find nothing wrong,
and persuaded them to return, promising that
he would watch in the house. After thew had re-
tired he heard the noises and Trapping and thought
some one was at the back door, as the knob
moved very perceptibly. He kept the family
quiet, however, until morning and left them.
The next night these scenes were enacted over
again, and on being notified O'Hare and his
partner, Shelton, stayed there again until about
IL O'Clock, when nothing further being heard,
the officers advised the family to go to bed,
which they did, and the officers then left After
they left,
THE MOST UNEARTHLY NOISES
were again heard, much worse than ever, and
the family became so much frightened that
they left the premises and took shelter in the
house of Mr.. De Neal, a neighbor. Yesterday
morning Bonehart was seeking another house in
which to move, declaring that he would not
stop there another night.
The neighborhood is greatly excited over the
str ange manifestations. We have told the story
just as it is related by the Boneharts, their
neighbors, and the policemen, and every reader
can furnish his own explanation.