New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-13
The NeUburyp0rt Ghost.
The Teachers story OF her Strans. Visitor
What Happened Years Ago Tn School.

\ reporter Of tho Boston Herald has sue
ceeded, after many rebuff, in gaining admit.
lance to the earthly abode of the Newbury-
port phantom, a description of whose antics
We published several weeks ago. He called
upon many Of the leading and responsible
residents OF the town, in order to CLEAN pub
lie opinion as to the reputation Of the teacher
From his report, furnished to the Herald of
the 24th instant; VIC extract the following
new and interesting details:
Miss Lucy A. Perkins, the alleged cause
Of these peculiar occurrences and thus far
unexplained demonstrations, is about twenty
two years of age, and has been an orphan
for over twelve years. She was born Ia the
lower part OF the town, on what is called
Water street. In 1864 she began a course of
study at the high school in the place, and
during her educational career was aided by
many benevolent individuals. Day after day,
In all weatherS, she wendell her way to and
from school, and BY close application and
modest depeanOr won the highest esteem Of
her teachers. Hardly day was there that
she did not walk nearly mile and three
quarters to the school, from which she grad
uatsd with an excellent record In 1857. One
year after she took charge of the Charles
street school, and from that time to this
every one speaks in the highest terms Of her
record for patience, devotion to. her duties,
tact and ability as teacher.
Hon. Richard Plumer, postmaster Of New
buryport, and member Of the School Com
mittee; Isaac p. Noyes, Secretary Of the
School Committee A. W. Greenleaf, City
Treasurer; and Mr.. Alfred Osgood, chairman
of the Committee on Public Instruction, con-
cur fully in the praiseworthy mention Of the
lady. In fact, all Of those with whom the
writer conversed express themselves in no
terms but Of commendation towards Miss
Perkins.
WHAT MIR. sPALDIEG SAYS.
In 4 conversation with Mr.. Spalding, one
of Il. Investigating committee, he acknowl-
edgci himself averse to giving any opinion
rs yet as to the cause of the manifestations,
ut feels perfectly confident thcy arise from
..atural causes. In this connection it may
not be amiss to state that it Is reported that
one Of the lads attending the school once
acknowledged himself to be the author of the
noises, having as an alternative, if he did not
so acknowledge, being sent to Jail. Mr..
Spalding thinks recital of these phenomena
will do very we'll for Sensation papers"
but fails to explain their origin, although
they have been existing for over twelve
months.
WHAT MISS PERKINS AND OTHERS SAY
ABOUT THE SUPERNATURAL SIGHTS AMI
SOUNDS.
Miss Perkins denies ever having attended
a spiritual scene, or having ever paid the
least attention to that theory, or that any
manifestations have ever occurred at any
other locality under her observation than al
the school-room. In a conversation with the
writer, she stated the first time her attention
| was called to them was early In the fail o.
1871. At that time noises similar to the
gpawipg Of rats were heard Ia the attic, AMI
| so often that cheese was placed there anC
| traps set, but none were ever sprung and the
cheese remained untouched. Afterward:
noises would be heard in the wall on one
side Of the room and almost instantly woulc
be heard opposite, as II they were changet
With the rapidity Of lightning. In addition
to her hearing these noises, the pupils alsC
vouch for hearing them, and so do visitor
| who were attracted to the scene during thei
early .tages. These manifestations continued
dnaiy reaching to what seemed as Ii SOM
one cyertead were rolling heavy cannon
ball, 1nd pounding sounds, as If a weight
! 1biect lad fallen from high elevation to til
loor. One forenoon the face Of a boy wa
eel at the entry window by pupil. TIL
attention Of the teacher was directed to 1t
and 'eaving her desk she went into the entr
into v hich this window opens, and there
assumed form which she described as reE
resenting boy about twelve years Of age
slender, and with a pale, corpse-like face
He was dressed 10 brown clothing, and ha
bis arms partially folded; his hair was vel
low, apparently, and there was cloth abou
his neck. She Immediately approached th
; apparition and 1t slowly receded, and althoug
the door was closed leading to the attic,
noIselessly opened and the fgure seemed, I
use her words, TO lift itself or be lifted u
the stairs" Nothing dauuted, she followe
it, when, On reaching the upper landing,
instantly vanished. The entry has been
Illuminated by an intense, unexplained Ugh
At other times face has been seen In th
opening Of the ceiling used as yentilato
! and hand at the window, and groaning'
, loud laughing, and other sounds heard whlc
were inexplicable, Bells have been run
when no one was In the school-room, cant
In the entry displaced and hid In the eells
. when the doors Of the entry were locket
: In fact, hundreds Of manifestations ha,
, taken place, some visible and others listens
to by nearly all Of The ssss!a.;, and yet the
are unaccountahls.
WHAT HAPPENED TEAEa 400 X n
SCHOOL.
OF course there are various stories concerl
} ing the cause Of all thsss apparently ghost
. a. offopr ard everv nrp la more or Ii