The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-05-04
A GHOST I.
1i5snboi.od Woman P1oxli1g About N
IFrul the Topeka Blade. !

Z .
Topeka.
If'rOra the Topeka Blade-l
1t is very seldom that this city IS treated
to ghost sensation, and then the people are
slow to believe in it. But now We have =
GHOST story thai is vOuched for. The ap-
pearance Of this strange being is confined
to the east side OF the classic shunganunga,
in and around stately residence. The
house has not enjoyed very good reputa-
ton for some years. The former occupant
was charged with heinous crime, but ac-
quilted upon technical points of law. The
present occupants are adventuresome wO-
men, who had rather court sensation than
live quiet, unobtrasi~e lives. But this has
little bearing upon the case. Something
over q year ago, lady who had, in her
younger days, been a wild, reckless girl, lay
upon her death-bed. She had, in former
times, been an associate Of one who now
lives in the stone mansion, whom we will
call Rachel, and she, in her anguish, yearn-
ed to see her friend once more, and sent
| for her to come to her. She wanted
to plead with Rachel to forsake her world
~ ways, and make her entrance into the
| better world sure. But death came too
soon, and the last request was never made.
On the same night after all in the stone
| m ansion had retired, form of a woman,
with long flowing black hair was seen to
glide into a room where two girls were
sleeping. The apparition moved towards
the head OF the bed, and sat down on a
| chair and awakened the sleepers. They
| thinking it TO be Rachel, asked her what
she wanted, when the spectre turning a
mournful look, which could be seen in the
darkness, upon the speaker, arose and
moved towards the door. FOOTBALLS on the
floor could be plainly heard as the spectre
vanished through the door. A stifled
moan as of deep despair proceeded from
the darkness, and q small voice seem.
ed to be Gliding some one, and pleading in
agony. Soon were heard sounds Of return
ing footsteps, and then all was silent.
Those to whom the spectre appeared Law
half conscious, and soon dropped of to
sleep. The next morning they were sur
prised to learn that Rachael had not left
her room, but that she had heard the soft
| footballs and the voice. No mention was
made of this occurrence to anyone, until
one of the neighbors came during the day
and inquired if anything unusual had ia
ken place during the night before, and he
was informed of the circumstance. He
then said he had noticed the woman go up
the front steps, sit down and bury her face
| in her hands, and seemed as ii in distress.
This man lives on Tenth street and is
spirit medium, and felt the infu-
ence of the spirit before he saw it.
/ ,.rox,I 70 Iafoh for I'm th or
demonstrations, without letting any one else
know. The spectre has never made itself
visible since that time, although it has been
around the premises, as the opening and
closing of doors, walking across the floor,
and sounds of voices have indicated. Quite
frequently, when all is still, that little voice
which is very sweet and sad, will break the
silence with an exclamation of pity, or of
grief, that seemed to come up from a heart
that was broken. When spoken to, it
ceases its woeiul sounds, and the only re-
spouse that is drawn out is "Oh, for pity ~
which has been distinctly understood.
When the night is darkest, or the elements
raging, then the troubled spirit is certain
to be in the house, pleading with somebody,
or for some one, and the voice Is saddest
and startling. Recently three prom
inent gentlemen of this city called
at the house, to investigate
the phenomena. Towards midnight,
as they all sat together conversing IN
low tones, the back door was distinctly
heard to open and close, and footsteps were
heard upon the carpet, advancing toward
the parties. When the sounds ceased, the
parties went in the direction of the sound,
but felt nothing except a sensation peculiar
to light draft of air passing over them.
When pursued, it fees, and will not con-
verse with any one. 1t is harmless, and is
disinclined to fill any one with terror.
Those who have witnessed the demonstra-
tions say that they have not the least par
ticle of fear. They are satisfied that what
is related here. has actually occurred, al
though some are not believers in spiritual
( ism. The stories of different ones CORE
spond exactly. Further investigation is to
be made, when facts may be developed that
will throw more light upon the matter.