The Portland daily press., 1874-01-10
A GhOstly Sensation.
A HAUNTED HOUSE IN sPRrNGvALE.
From a Special Correspondent

lrrom opecla correspondent
In the western part of the thriving village of
Springvale stands an old fashioned white house
overlooking the Mousam river, from which for
years. it is alleged, supernatural sounds have
emanated at intervals, much to the terror of its
donates and their immediate neighbors. No
family could be induced to occupy the build
ing for any length of time, each reiterating the
statement of his predecessor. Years ago, ira
dition says, when this section was sparsely set
tied, pedler, who had sought lodgings there
at nightfall, was never seen again. No satis-
factory cause was assigned for his mysterious
disappearance Another report is to the effect
that a witch formerly occupied the basement
and was the terror of the neighborhood. Short
ly after the pedlers disappearance strange
noises annoyed the family, and continued to
such an extent that they soon vacated Other
parties became tenants, but in turn sought
more desirable quarters, each asserting the inn
possibility to live unmolested.
The affair has run on, occasionally exciting
interest, until the present time. Recently sew
eral young men, while passing at night, had
their attention attracted by series of sounds
distinctly audible on the highway Their re
port has agitated the matter and gentleman
now offers to give ten dollars to any person who
shall pass the night there. Your correspon-
dent has CLEANED the following facts concerning
the mystery: The house was built some sixty
years ago by Peleg Sanford, from whom the town
of Sanford derives its name. Strange sounde
were first noticed by Baptist minister
named Peacock, who was in no wise alarmed.
Following his removal. divers persons were
tenants for limited times, each alleging that
unaccountaDle sounds were of frequent occur
renee. These manifestations were not confined
to sounds; occasionally appearing as figures and
lights. A stranger once stopping there for a
night, had the clothes torn from his bed, and
the act repeated as soon as he had replaced
them. Hundreds of similar freaks might be
mentioned in this connection
Your correspondent interviewed Mr. Bodwell
who had been tenant Oh two occasions, and
learned the following Vets Mr.. b. said:
was aware that stories agajped credence
that at intervals strange noises wele~ ~
and around the~leusesQHt Always regSClet-
no fso in land and ghosts as %r paving.
pied it at once For time nJehing occurred to
exoito aarlk- Tho f:--4-~sjs<> so slaaod a, if
corn was being drawn across the attic floor af-
tcI WIllCL IL WAS SHefleu ana scattered went
there, yet nothing was to be seen and no corn
was about. Raps and knocks occurred fire.
Quently. Rocking chairs would rock violently
for hours when all my family were asleep One
evening we heard what was evidently a man
chopping wood outside. went with NV Ian
tern, and found the axe untouched and the
wood unmoved The brightness of my room
has led me to suppose it was day, when on
arising all would vanish and only darkness re-
main. One night saw standing. beside me
Pc lad ~...JxA
ed my hand out to touch it, but 1t vanished /
have had boarders who, after witnessing the
manifestations, at once left. Apparitions oc-
CURED less frequently than noises, and al
though L endeavOred to so closely scrutinize
them so as to detect if possible the features of
departed friends, was never successful. At
one time and continuing for several months, the
covers lovers upon my stove would overturn in open
u"yHsli.' tnls mas been witnessed by visitors.
"A wore spoken at any time would be sufficient
10y qni1e1 an NOISES and dispel all figures The
last development was the apparent TREMBLING
OF the side OF the house and rattlip@ Of ti,oo
windows, end and sides on alternate eveninms.
nothing was to be seen outside. l could relate
more, but you have enough to illustrate what
you WISH The disturbances occur o., the dari.-
est nights, l noticed, and happened at irregular
intervals, sometimes week or even a month
elapsing before repetition. l am no shirt
qallst and have no theory regarding the cause
L nave no fear OF them and should not have
vacated had not my family lived in constant
terror.
Mr.. Bodwell is man of undoubted veracty.
and his statements only corroborate the state
ments of former tenants
The foregoing particulars are vouched for by
honest citizens, thereby leaving no room to
doubt that some unaccountable mystery is as
ISOLATED with our pretty village. The prevail
ing opinion is that some dark deed has long
years ago been perpetrated by persons who
may have been occupants of or interested in
the house. The case affords ample opportunity
for the investigations of the sceptical, who
will, we trust, avail themselves of it,