The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-10-17
THE CATHERWooD Guosr.

The tale which, under the above caption,
was printed in the last issue of The SUNDAY
HERALD was probably suggested as TO its es-
scntial features by the "reminiscences asso-
ciated with the Paca family and the Paca
House, situated on Wye Island, Queen AIMS
county, Eastern Shore of Maryland. AT least
the ghost haunted mansion, and the killing
of n near relative Ivy an idiot boy, who was
made the innocent instrument of most
wicked purpose, Gas incidents of the story,
are found prototyped in the local traditions
of that ilk.
First, as regards the ghost story. The
well-known and highly artist, Mr..
Beale Bordley, n cousin of Mr.. William Paca,
who was a grandson of Governor Paca, one
of the signers of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, was on one occasion staying in the Paca
House, and OH account of there being no
other apartment available he was put i'm
the chamber which was said to be particu-
larly affected by the ghost. When about to
retire Mr.. Bordley was attracted by II pecu-
liar sound at the window, and, looking i'll
that direction, saw outside of the glass the
face of negro lad who was looking into the
room. MIR. Bordlcy approached the window,
when the apparition disappeared. Beyond
n slight surprise caused by the fact that the
window was considerable height from the
by which any one could climb to it, Mr..
Bordley was not affected, and, retiring, slept
as usual. In the morning ut the breakfast
table, before mentioning the occurrence, Mr..
Bordiey was questioned MS to how he had
passed the night, and he then spoke of the
curious appearance of the negro at the win
dow. A look of intelligence passed around
| the family and the assembled guests, all of
| whom, with the exception of MIR. Bordley,
knew that the chamber had the reputation
of being haunted.
Tho story ran that negro boy had, in some
previous time, been cruelty whipped by some
one in authority, and that he died in conse-
quence of the punishment. Ever after his
melancholy ghost lowered about the Paca
House, and occasionally made it's appearance
to members of the household and ~ visitors
This is n very small ghost story, but ghost
is ghost even if it is such little one.'
The other part of the material used by the
author of the Catherwood Ghost " is OF
n more serious character.
| William Paca, the late owner of the paca
estate, had two sons who were idiotic. II,
also had two pepliews, to whose estate ht
was guardian. The nephews had offended
Mr.. Paca, who was Union man, by opeI
and determined profession, by enlisting in
the Confederate army. On their return Il
the Eastern Shore after tho war their relations
with their uncle and guardian were of any
thing but an agreeable or amicable nature
A dispute followed about fence dividing
the estate Of William Paca and that of hi.
nephews. The nephcws declared their in
tentiOn of taking up and removing the fence
and proceeded to carry their intention int,
execution. While in the act of doing s,
William Paca rode upon the ground, fol
lowed by his two idiotic SONS, each armed
with gun. What was said no ono evel
knew; but the two idiotic boys levsled theil
guns and shot their two cousins dead il
their tracks. MIR. Paca was tried for til,
murder of his nephews, but not convicted
Such was the feeling, however, among Iii
neighbors, that from that day Mr.. Paca, tn
descendant and representative of most hon
ored house, was man marked and sliunne,
by every one. He lived in u morose and soil
tary manner, and died not great Will,
after.
The Paca House was destroyed by fir
something more than year ago. A FL,
days before the information of its destruc
ton reached Baltimore the Erening Bullet
of that city contained an article on tho deaf
OF one of tho Paca family, and incidental
gave the history in detail Of the tragic aflai
to which reference has been made Anothc
( article followed, 10y hand evidently iamila
, with the subject, describing the grand oil
, mansion and its picturesque details, and, r,
| ferring TO these articles, the Buiiefin sal,
, editorially. "The destruction of the famou
/ paca mansion, a full account of which wa
published in these columns yesterday, IL a
i, irreparablc loss TO tho State. II was ono
the few historic landmarks which RENAME
/ from the colonial period, aud was doubtle,
one Of the hest specimens of the old ,fasl
LII A.