Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-11-05
Volume XXXII.---No. 81.

the silken thread, stretched about two
feet from the ground, remain untouch-
ed!
Sept. 23.-Halsewell (the butler)
has given warning. He was my best
ally, indefatigable in trying to trace
out the cause of these alarms. His
reason for leaving seems insufficient.
The servants 'chaF him as to some
supposed resemblance between the
lghostly footsteps aud his own! He
admitted, however, that there was
something Glse, which he could never
tell me until / had resolved to quit
this residence. "
Mrs. Elderton to her friend in con-
tinuation:
'sIn November, after the departure
of our butler, Halsewell, who had been
very bold and watchful, the noises in
creased, and, as the servants declared,
with sort of mocking imitation OF
Halsewell's step, and manner of open
ing and closing doors. as ne moved a
bout the house.
One day, at half-past one, while !
was reading in my dressing-room, had
to remain upstairs for day or two
from illness, I was startled by hearing
people moving about in a noisy man
nerson the small landing below; then
loud screams. / rang the bell sharp
ly, then opened the door. Nothing
was vjSj>sie; but I heard voice say,
'HusEsh,' three several times, be-
coming at each repetition more dis
tant and seeming to float away in a
manner which I cannot describe.
I think it was on the following
night that I was awakened by loud
noise, as of a person walking very
heavily on the landing below, or in
one of the adjacent rooms. | never
heard such walking before. 1t was,
so to speak, a giants walk, and SEEM
ed to shake the house from one end to
the other. We had for some days
policeman in the house at night, and,
rousing my husband, I begged him
to call the man. Before he could
leave the room we heard the sound of
a desperate struggle on the stairs, as
Of two men fighting. Feeling sure
that our watchman had at last pounc-
ed upon the intruder, Cuthbert dashed
off to his assistance. All was still
and empty! The policeman, whom
Cuthbert metquietly going his rounds,
had heard no unusual sound"
As the disturbances at Holwych
continued steadily to increase and
had become -neterions, Col. Elderten
reluctantly resolved to leave; but be-
fore commencing preparations, requir-
ed from the servants statements of
whatever of remarkable nature they
had severally noticed. This produc-
ed mass of testimony, which, making
every deduction for nervous terrors
and exaggeration, has probably no
parallel in the history of "haunted
houses" of our time.
1t should be mentioned that during
the occupation of the mansion, five
servants (the butler, groom, and three
maids) had left, on divers pretexts,
but reall y-as it now appeared-from
the perpetual annoyance caused by the
unaccountables sounds. Groans, sighs,
footsteps; noise Constantly recur-
!, ring) like a child's rattle; doors struck
ar' handles turned; sounds of tossing
abous boxes and furniture; carriages
driving up the sweep when none were
there; rustic of silk; screams; a voice
|, heard to say distinctly, Gail is true;"
and, finally, sound of very peculiar
character, compounded of hiss and
whiz, which was of almost daily oc-
currence, and commencing as describ-
ed, terminated in the word "Hdshw
distinct, prolonged, and invariably
taken up by voices more and distinct,
till they became inaudible. One of
these statements, supplied by Louisa
Scrase, one of the maids, will serve as
ia specimen:
4 81 was four months under house
maid at Holwych. During the whole
time I was annoyed by the strangest
disturbances. I slept with fellow
servant above the kitchen. One night
: very late we heard walking and talk
ing below. 1t lasted an hour. We
!, did not recognize either step or voice.
In the morning l spoke to the rest a.
bout it, but every one denied having
been in the kitchen at all. They did
not tell me Il had not been long ar
rived) that the house was said to be
haunted. After that I became accus-
toned to strange noises, but what hap
pened later determined me to leave.
I was awakened one night by cold
hand touching my face, and, looking
up, saw a very tall figure by my bed
side, with an arm extended. | said,
Il will know what it is or I'll raise
the house, when the figure moved to-
ward the window and vanished. NV
companion saw it also. Next day we
were allowed to change our room, but
was uncomfortable after this, and
left"
Recollecting that the butler, Halse-
we'll, who had left, had offered further
testimony in the event of the house
being given up, Col. Elderton wrote
to him, announcing his intended de-
parture, and received the statement
hereafter given. But, in the meantime,
the following strange incident occur
red to the Colonel himself:
He was writing letters in the break
fast-room one forenoon, when step
came along the passage toward the
open door. To save the trouble of
turning to see who was about to enter,
he looked in the mirror, just opposite,
and saw very tall man, in long vel
low coat of some coarse material. and
with his hat on, standing in the door
way.
"Well, who are you, my man? What
do you want here?" was the natural
question.
! Continued on the 4th pagel