The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-03-30
From the Avalanche, March 5th.

From the Avalanche, March 9Th.
Do disembodied spirits haunt the
scenes which they frequented while in
the flesh? 1t is mixed question the
theory that they do having as firm be-
levers as it has disbelievers Much has
been written on the subject on the sub
ject pro and con, and much has been
said, but still mankind are disagreed and
can only unite in a partial Endorsement
of the words which the immortal bard of
Avon put into the mouth Of the melan-
choly Prince of Denmark, that heaven
and earth contain more things than are
conceived or dreamt of in our philoso-
ply. Everybody has heard and read of
ghosts, but we know of no one who has
seen an article of that description-at
least we never knew of one till now. But
to our story, which is full Of strange and
startling incident5-incidents SO strange
that they will scarcely be credited by
the most credulous.
South Memphis is in furore of ex-
element over occurrences Of supernat-
ural nature recently made public, and
which concern the
BRINKLEY FEMALE COLLEGE,
and its inmates. The college is a spa
cious frame structure, with rather a SOM
bre and dreary aspect, situated at or near
the intersection of Georgia and DeSoto
streets. L was once a palatial re sidence
or intended as such, but for several years
past has been used as a school for the
young ladies, under the direction of Mr..
Meredith, the building having been de-
voted to that purpose by Mr.. r. G.
Brinkley, its reputed owner. It is said
to have ruined its builder, and original
owner, and the place has borne the repu-
tation of being haunted for some time,
but as this was never IN any way salts
factorily accounted for the suggestion of
its being the habitation Of things I'M
earthly was dismissed as growing simply
out of the isolated situation, and weird
aspect of the structure, to which may be
added surroundings. which strike the
visitor as decidedly unattractive. IF there
be
GHOSTS OF THE DEPARTED
on earth, it is just such a place as such
things would select for trysting or abid-
ing place, or rather it is just such a
looking place as one would be inclined to
associate with spirits and things super
natural.
The school at present numbers between
forty and fifty pupils of various ages, and
Of teachers, including the principal and
his wife, there are some six or seven.
-t1-o syvee--- n o,1,.os.tio14 - s-Lo-ti
usually found in institutions Of its class,
and the full course includes music and
the classics. Many of the pupils come
from afar, and are boarders at the insti-
tute, but not a few who reside in the
city, and near the college, are but day
attendants. Among the latter is Miss
Clara Robertson, daughter of Mr. Rob
ertson, an Attorney. residing on DeSoto
street, between Vance and Elliott streets.
Her age is about thirteen years, and her
temperament is of the nervous kind,
while her health Is rather what might be
called delicate. Some eight months ago she
experienced religion, and has ever since
been model OF strict religious proprie-
ty. 1t is claimed that she has never
been IN any way connected with things
supernatural or to have put trust in
splrltualists. Her experience witt, af-
fairs claimed to be supernatural within
the last two weeks, however, are more
wonderful and startling than the myster-
les of Udolpho or the horrors of Kenil-
worth Castle.
THE MYSTERY.
One week ago last Tuesday, Miss
Clara was alone in one of the upper
rooms of the Institution practising her
music lesson an apparition suddenly
appeared before her in the shape of a
girl about eight years of age. with sun
ken lustreleSs eyes and strikingly ema-
GATED form and features. The object
was virtually skeleton in appearance,
clad in a dingy and tattered dress of
faded pink, which was partly co7ered
with greenish and shiny mold. It
seemed also to be transparent. A sad
expression rested upon the features Of
the strange visitor Naturally frighten-
ed, Clara ran into an adjacent room and
sprang into bed with a sick girl, at the
same time motioned with her hand to
THE UNsTGHTLY OBJECT.
to begone. The apparition advanced,
however, with slow and noiseless steps to
the bedside, and laid an emaciated hand
on the pillow, while Clara, aghast and
speeches. with terror, was nearly thrown
INTO spasms, but all the time motioned
sway the object, which finally disappear
ed through side door, as noiselessly as
1t had entered. The alfrighted girl told
her adventure, and it at once became the
all absorbing topic of conversation
throughout the school. meeting with be-
lief, disbelief and ridicule. The majority
were more no less frightened over the
strange tale unfolded, but some few made
SO much fun Of it as to mortify Clara to
tears. She told her teacher and parents
hut not only failed in obtaining their be-
lief but was reprimanded, her father tel
ling her it was only trick put upon her
by some of the girls, and ordering her to
return to school the next day, which