The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-30
SPOOKS IN AN EAST END MAN
SION.


The inhabitants of the First Ward, and
in fact a large number OF those residing
In the eastern part of the city, are in a
surprising state of excitement regarding
a long and wholly unaccounted for series
OF mysterious manifestations in the way
OF rappings, peculiar sounds and uneX-
plainable noises of strange and not at
all pleasant nature, which have been
heard night after night for the past three
weeks in house, the residence of one of
our well known and highly respe cted
citizens in the part of the city known as
Fulton. These peculiar manifestations
consist of mysterious rappings in differ
ent parts of the house, and were first
heard by members of the family some
three weeks SINCE. AT first but little at
tention was paid to them, the gentleman
and his wife being OF too intelligent an
order to indulge in any of the foolish fam
cies which such manifestations are liable
TO give rise to-; but as the rappings in
creased in frequency, and fairly forced
themselves into notice, an investigation
was begun, which ended by enveloping
them more deeply than ever in the mys-
terry, until they now despair of finding
way out. Another result has been to ill
their house with wondering and awe
stricken spectators, and the street in
front Of the residence with gaping
crowd, until IL became necessary to fire.
quently call on the police to disperse the
crowds and to close the doors to specta-
tors, and even i'll some cases to acquaint-
ances and friends.
The gentleman in question is Mr.. G..
II. Williamson or "Callv" Williamson as
he is familiarity known, an employe of
the Post-otfice and a grandson of the
late Mr.. John Rufin, and the house, Mr.
Wllilams' residence, ON the northwest
corner OF East Front and French streets,
the one in which Mr.. Ruliin recently
died. The mysterious manifestation
consists of sharp, loud sounds, resem-
bling those made by the knuckles of a
mans hand, i'll various parts of the house
but more especially the dining-room, at
various Intervals, and all efforts TO q
solution OF the mystery either by medi-
ums or scientists have proved utterly
futile.
A STAR reporter yesterday called on
Mr.. Williamson and conversed with him
on the subject, and also talked with nu-
mePous other persons who had observed
the manifestations and atterward visited
the residence to investigate for himself.
The house is u large three-story frame
building, built some five years since,
painted yellow, and arranged for two
The eastern part of the build
ing is occupied by Mr.. Williamson and
lis family, which consists of a wife and
TWO children and domestic. A modley
crowd of boys and men stood in front Of
and around the building, drawn thitheY
by curiosity, and the fence and side
walk showed the effects Of the throngs
hat have been attracted here during
,he three weeks past.
The front OF the building is occupied |
~ the hall and parlor, and toward the |
'ther end, which fronts upon the rail-
Dad, is the dining-room and kitchen,
rom the first of which, and in stair
way connected with IL, the mysterious
ounds mostly appear TO come. The
lySterlous rappings were first noticed1
y the servant, who, by the way. is the
My one alarmed by the mystery. They
onslst generally of three quick, sharp
APPS, as though made by MANS hand,
ometimes upon the floor, sometimes upS
IN the doors of the room, and mt other
lines upon the stairs. The first day but
little attention was paid by the family 10
he story, but the next day about five
'clock T. NJ, the knocking began again.
1t times there would be but one light
ap, then would come three or four
Duder, then an interval of few mo-
lents, and several quick. violent raps at
he door as if, as Mr.. Williamson eX-
ressed it to our reporter, ''as ii some
ne wanted to get in out Of the cold"
IN the door being suddenly opened when
Ito" occurred, no one could he
ne K1ooAtne -, :. '<innovo"~-' - - -
INN ~ -. .ulng u.o~o,...u uy Wnicn
ne mystery could he accounted for.
Mr.. Williamson, who is a gentleman
Tot only Of ofintelligence but OF nerve as
veil. determined il possible to penetrate
he mystery. Accordingly careful eX-
were made in all parts of the
building where the noises were heard;
Ire cellar was carefully searched, the
water pipes examined, the closets eX-
,lored, the furniture moved from its po-
iJion, and every possible effort made to
olve the problem, bat in vain. The
Mysterious clickings continued, occa-
ionally being also heard i'll other parts
If the building, but most frequently in
md about the dining-rOoni, and bed
.oom adjoining. The servant became so
much alarmed that she could not be in
iuced to sleep in her bedroom, which
vas also occasionally favored with a few
APPS, and was given u sleeping place i'll
EASY call of the family. About nine OF
en O'Clock at night the noises ceased,
md were heard but little until until next |
lay about five O'Clock T.. NJ, when ,,uev i
we're again heard, ana ESecanfe at times
,ery e.y yioleeGsv, continuing as before until
about nine. This state of Things contin-
led regularly day alter day until Mr..
Williamson, losing faith in his ability to
discover the secret, informed q few
friends of the singular ylsitatious. They, |
IN company with him investigated the
matter thoroughly, ana were in turn, af-
Ter hearing the mysterious rappings,
obliged to ''give it up" Others hearing
ol it from them, visitors began to arrive,
lntil for many days past the house has
Deen crowded with the anxious and in
,redulous, who always went away
equally anxious, but more mystitfed as
10 the cause.
Of course, with large number the the
ory of s'spirits" has obtained, and the
..haunted" house is an object OF curios-
ity. until q detail OF officers has been
made to keep the sidewalks clear and
disperse the crowd which gathers about.
The story reacning the ears of the Spirit
ualists of the city, they Immediately sup
posed that the mystery was, according to
their ways of thinking, no mystery at all,
but the efforts OF the spirit of some for
mer resident of this mundane sphere to