The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-22
EQUITY.
The Haunted House at Springyale.

r uttaoh Paruculars-UHpleasan and Inn.
polite Atientiens--AnE nterprisinx Ghost
Deteetor.
The haunted house forms the principle theme
of conversation for this and the surrounding
towns, the interest being SO great that persons
who have had excellent opportunities of ex
aiming into this mystery from the fact of their
having been residents, or dodgers actuated by
motives Of curiosity, volunteer statements SINH
lar to that recently published many of which
have more, and interesting details. A DIVERSE
ty of opinion exists regarding the foul play
which seems inseparably associated with these
demons tratiOns.
Persons profess to recollect having heard
from reliable parties, that the building was at
one time used for saloon and was considered
disreputable; that this pedlar or person who is
here supposed to have met tragic death, drop
ped in to take social glass. and that misun-
derstandug arose, OF some members of the
company present knowing that he had money
upon him, murdered and plundered him. At
best this is conjecture and as the conflicting re-
ports tend only to entangle they may as well be
laid aside. At the back of the house on
the side where the witch is suppos-
Ou w AuNO iNSos 10 all Olu IaSu-
toned well-sweep. and on divers occa-
sions persons would be awakened by its
rapid movements and the apparent splashing
of water in the buckets; these motions would
be accompanied by the most doleful and excru-
ciating creakiugs suggestive of torture. Ex-
animation would discover the buckets perfect
ly dry, and the relative position of the sweep
unchanged. For considerable length of time
the basement was occupied by shoemaker,
and at night tools, benches and shoes engaged
in a sort of whirlpool movement, and the fol-
lowing morning would be discovered scattered
in every direction. In daylight in the absence
of the occupants, their work has been disar-
ranged. at one side of this room was located
bed from which figures were distinctly seen
till their too frequent appearance induced the
occupant to take up his bed and walk An
old clock whose machinery was for the
made to run, struck regularly the hour of twelve
at night, a few moments previous to the family
timepiece. For time, distinctly audible groans
| pitched in sepulchral tone and continuing for
periods of five minutes, contributed to the gen.
| eral jollity Of the surroundings. Cold, death
| like hands have smoOthed back the hair from
persons foreheads, eluding all efforts to grasp
| them Invisible figures have made known their
| presence in the darkness Families have been
| awakened by thinking wagon was being rap
| idly rolled through the yard, yet nothing was
to be seen. A resident of this village on one
occasion was passing the night with his child,
| and becomingl suddenly frightened, seized the
| child in one hand and his pantaloons in the
other, rushed frantically from the building,
starting toward the village at speed which
| has never since been equalled in this vicinity.
| Money would not tempt this individual to
| pass night under that roof and the fright he
| then sustained will be ever fresh in his memo
ry The frequency of the demonstrations so
accustomed tenants, who could be induced to
remain for any length of time, to the workings
| of this unknown agency, that many of the
| manifestations passed unnoticed, and only the
| more vigorous attracted attention Your cor
| respondent has seen letter addressed by
/ Portland gentleman, who had seen pre-
| vious account in the PRESS, to Mr.. Bod
| well, asking for further particulars, pro-
| Tossing to have had experience in the nvestiga-
| ton of similar phenomena, and expressing a
desire to continue his researches in thi, con-
| neetiOn. Whether the gentleman referred to
| be a Spiritualist or not, the writer has no
| means OF knowing; yet we trust he will exam
| inc the premises and advance theory concern
| ing these developments 1t is intimated that
| party is negotiating for the purchase of this
| property ON these conditions. He discounte-
| nances ghosts and COLLINS, and processes to
have no fear of experiencing trouble at their
hands, yet in consideration of the prevailing
opinion, is to take the house for period Of
| three months trial, in which time he can
satisfy himself concerning the manifestations.
| If during that time he is unmOlested he will at
its expiration purchase the place at stipulat-
ed sum, occupy the same, and the matter will
sink quietly away. If, on the contrary, dis
turbances occur during the trial he is to receive
the rent for that portion of the time that he re-
| mains, gratuitousy
1t appears probable then, that in a short time
we shall learn more particulars, if indeed more
are needed, to firmly establish the accepted
| wonder.
A former tenant informed your correspon-
| dent that he was quite confident that before
month had elapsed audible and visable demon
STATIONS would surprise the new occupant, and
he would gladly seek more pleasant surround
ings.
A period of three months would certainly be
long enough to thoroughly test the accuracy of
former statements, whereas in single night
| should person station himself therein and
notice nothing unusual that would not conclu-
| sively demonstrate the fallacy of the prevail
| ing opinions, as tenants all agree on the point
| that the disturbances are of irregular occur
| renee, and person once convinced of the truth
of these statements, would need no further
developments were he of nervous tempera-