The Rock Island Argus., 1881-06-06
HAUNTED HOUSE.
At least that is the popular
belief.
SouD ds that 90 far defy any
explain alton.

Now and then, the people of . particn-
lar locality are startled by tale of strange
sounds and disturbances in some habita-
ton. At once it is attributed, the causes
being unknown, to supernatural influence,
and the term haunted" is applied. The
story finds its way, in exaggerated form,
into the flood of current news to provoke
the smile of the incredulous or the wonder
and awe of the superstitious. Increased
knowledge has, however, destroyed much
of the former force attaching to the epithet
of haunted. The vulgar belief in ghostly
visitants and troubled spirits have we'll
nigh died out with the superstition that
gave them birth, and experience has taught
people to seek explanation of the mysteri-
Gus rather in the natural than supernat-
ural realm.
Such natural causes will no doubt at an
early day fully explain the phenomena as
related below:
A VACANT HOUSE.
AS is quite generally known there is in
this CITY dwelling house situated on First
avenue, which for several months has
been unoccupied. 1t has been rented on
various occasions, but after short period
the tenants have thrown up the lease, and
moved out.
The agent of the property failed to ex-
plain the reason of the conduct on the part
of his tenants, and the rumor soon became
current that the habitation was haunted.
The owner of the property, hearing of
the rumor decided to make an investiga-
ton and, for that purpose, he, in COM
pany with friend, visited the locality last
Saturday night. The trip was made known
to newspaper man, on the understanding
that no names or locations were to be given
that would injure the property in the pub
lie estimation. The required promise hav-
ing been made, the trio visited the place
and formed themselves into an investigat-
ing committee.
THE HOUSE,
which is a plain and substantial two-story
structure, built but few years ago, was
first thoroughly examined by the three in
company, the most careful scrutiny being
directed to every spot, but nothing was
discovered.
This completed, the party seated them
selves to await the manifestations which
were supposed to have vacated the prem
ises.
Only short time elapsed before the un
canny proceedings began. Unlike the
classic specters, who rise not to this mum
dane sphere until the mystic hour of mid
night, this vulgar ghost commenced at
barely 8 o'clock its routine racket. The
first notice of the invisible presence came
with succession of light, regular taps on
the floor of the room directly above that
occupied by the visiting committee. The
of tack hammer, rapidly and with con-
siderable force. This was followed by a
noise. as of falling object, and all became
deathly still. One of the members declar-
ed that he saw an indistinct phosphores-
cent light emanate from the ceiling during
the rapping, but this was doubtless his
imagination, as the remaining two investi
gators deny that this fact actually occurred
Sc INVESTIGATION
A critical examination of the room with
a light failed to reveal the cause of the
peculiar noises, and repetition of
the tapping followed by a thud as from a
falling body left the matter one of mystery
and doubt.
This revelation is substantiated by others,
who in passing the building at night have
heard similar manifestations.
1t is hardly, therefore, to be supposed that
the sounds are the products of an excited
brain, as no condition of the imagination
or excitement of the mind could produce
such perfect agreement of mental illusion
in so many different and differing
individuals.
The disturbances are probably due to
the peculiar construction of the house, as
the contraction of the timbers entering into
its formation may explain these sounds,
which are unheeded during the day time,
and magnified in the stiffness of the night.