The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-10-03
A Montana Ghost. Story.


It will be. remembered BY many of our read
ers that some wears since an affray occurred in
Sterling. which resulted in the death of man
named Hanna; that parties charged with his
murder were arrested, tried, and, acquitted; and
that it was shown, that one Of the parties tried
did wound tie victim unto death, but satisfied
the iury that it was done in self-defence. This
much by way of Introductory is necessary, as
tfat tragedy has to do with the events we shall
describe. In the Lower Hot Springs district,
in the neighborhood of Sterling, stands g rock
house erected by q mining company some years
since, building Of more pretensions than any
other in that vicinity. .Afterremaining tenant:
less for a 1ong tIde this property. passed into
other hands, mining operations in that vicinity
were renewed, and the house was again oeeu-
pied, this time, however by 'nainers, a class OF
men not usually afflicted with weak nerves,
neither over credulous concerning the lghostly
stories of the past, nor easily scared by pre-
tended visitors from the ''undBco overed bourne. :"
Among these occupantswas the person referred
to; above as, having killed Hanna. Soon after
taking possession of the house the inmates be-
gan to be disturbed at night BY noises as some
of some one moving, abops the horge, now in
accountable, since, theirown number were all
present: and no one else Wss in the vicinity
who could make the disturbance. These man
ifestations continuing, the legitimate occupants
of the house comnenced an investigation as to
the cause. When-the, aisturber Of their elunl-,
ber appeared it was pdfs1ed with view TO its
election from the premises But, although 1t
could be plainly heard it was formless to their
human Fen. When approached 1t, rctreated;
keeping ever Just beyond their reach, and seem
|inrfw inviting pursuit since it made no attempt
at escape, but ever as the pursuers advanced its
footsteps COULD beHstinctiy heard Just before
them. This fruitiess search was continued
night after night for weeks, and always with
the same result-the human footsteps were al
ways heard by an, but no human form was ever
seen by any. Unwillingly these hardy sons OF
toll began tofadmit to themselves and to each
other that their visitor was.in reality "some per-
turbed spirit doomed for certain season to
walk the earthC1 FRis conclusion reached, they
abandoned any further annoyance, o. their he :
ghostly visitor, allowing it to range hnpursied
through the house, and betook themselves to
specuiations concerning what il might be and
what its, presence befokened2 During these
speculations, Hadzier, the poison referred, to
above; expressed his belief thai the spirit was
none other than that of Harms, his victim.
But the ghost, thus left free to pursue lts
pleasure, not e6nEelt with wandering about the
rooms. became more familiar, and now COM
menced disturbing Che sleepeA in their beds,
indicating it's, presence by adjusting the bad
ding, tucking t under At the side as careful
mothers do about their sleeping infants, and an,
lightly 'patting the bodies Of those in the beds
and waving its hand above thsir faces; They
felt no touch, of the hand on tie face, but dis
tinctly the motions by the disturbance of the
air. These manipulaions being continued, be-
came at last unbearable, and the boys aban-
doned the house and found other quarters. 7
Shortly after Others occupied the house only to
be subiectedte the same mysterious ,manipqla7
tions, and they in turn left the premises to the
sole occupation. of this formles' visitant. And
the house now stands monument of granite to
the truth Of the doctrine that :he spirit OF the
DEPARTED d Iiiis 5hs YhrthN AID
Making night hideous, and we fools of nature
So horribly to shake our dispositions,
With thoughts beyond the reaches Of our souls.
Virginia City Montanian.