Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-12-05
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THE HAUNTED HOUSE.

not consist in what persons have, but IN what
they are. .'s..'s ..-s.g<. 3.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
In the summer of 49,, John Woods came
from one of the large European cities to live
in America. He had four children-three
bright eyed little boys and a rosy-cheeked
little girl. Their mother was kind and gen.
tie, but unfortunately had not enjoyed the
advantages of much education. She was also
very easily excited. In early youth she had
heard much about ghosts and haunted houses.
These tales had made deep impression upon
her mind, and as her children grew up the
same tales were repeated to them. The house
to which the family moved was an old and
somewhat dilapidated log building. No one
had occupied it for several years previous to
the Woods family. Mrs. Woods came to the
conclusion on first sight of the house that it
was haunted. A good old lady in the neigh
borhood strengthened the opinion thus quickly
formed In a very significant way the fact
was mentioned that strange and unaccounta-
BILE sights had been seen, and strange noises
heard in and near it, The first night after
the Woods family took up their abode in
this old house, all were tired from the labors
of the day and slept so soundly as to see and
hear nothing. John Woods was brick-ma-
son, and bright and early set out the next
morning to engage in a job of work. He ex-
pected to be absent for several days. No
sooner was the father fairly out Of sight than
both the mother and children thought they
heard strange noise. Again and again, at
short intervals, the sound was repeated. In
state of nervous excitement the little group
spent the day. Night came on and the sound
ceased; but all were too much excited to
sleep. The mother and all the children went
to bed, and although it was hot summer
night, covered up SO as to exclude both light
and air. Every now and then some one of
the number would ask in whisper, "Do you
hear anything" Morning came but not to
their relief In short time the strange noise
commenced again, louder and more frequent
than on the previous day. The oldest little
boy was sent to a neighbor's house to make
known the state of the case and to get assist
ance. In short time the whole country was
apprised Of what was going on at the "old
Thompson house." as it was called By twelve
o'clock the yard was literally filled with
men, women and children. Some had come
out of idle curiosity, others had come to have
a laugh, and few moved by kind and gene
rous feelings, had come to protect and console
the strangers. Soon it was discovered that
the woman and children we're not mistaken
about hearing strange noise. All heard it.
1t was low and mournful sound sometimes
continuing but for moment; at other times
it would be continued through several Sec
onds. The house and yard were searched
thoroughly. Nothing could be found. 1t
was discovered that the sound seemed to be
confined to particular portion of the house.
The good old woman who had heard often
that the house was haunted, now remembered
that many years ago little child had died
in that very room. The present noise she
declared was just like the groans which the
child uttered before it died. Others, since
the circumstance was mentioned, remembered
the same thing. All were greatly excited.
Men who had all their lives laughed at those
who talked about haunted houses and the
like, became serious. Some we're crying and
others were too much frightened to cry. The
house was abandoned Mrs. Woods and her
children went to neighbor's to spend the
night Nothing was thought of, nothing WAS
talked about in the community for miles
around but the unearthly sounds which had
been heard during the day. Few slept, and
what few did, were startled during their
slumbers by distracting dreams. Various
was the conversation of that night. Some
thought the strange sound was a sign that
some one of the Woods family would soon
lie; others thought it was sign that the world
was coming to an end. The next morning
came, and with it the universal desire of all
IN the community to visit the "old thompson
house." No one was willing to 60 by himself
20 intense was the excitement. A few did 60
and made another search for the source Of the
strange sound. They found it, and what do
YOU think twas? It was not as some thought
4 sign of the end of the world neither did
the sound proceed from some departed human
being. The little child that died in the room
many years ago had nothing to do with the
sound. It was found that in the corner of
the suspected room there was a Jug which had
contained molasses. The flies collected around
the mouth of the jug, and occasionally, one
would get down into the jug and the strange
sound was nothing but its buzzing in attempt
ing to get out of the jug. Thus it turned
out that whole community was thrown into
a wild state of excitement by flies in molas-