Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-10-26

toward Us anu sIOppeU Hnen only Nllnln zen
feet of US, Just about where the oak leaf had
landed. These successive crashes aroused
the occupants of the entire building, who
auxiously came around us for an explana-
ton. We coCfid only point to the confusion
on the floor and added further fuel to their
Amusement by telling them that the demon
strations had taken place before our very
ewes and without the aid of hands. These
violent scenes now ceased, but the terrible
strain was beginning to SHOW itself upon
some members of the family. A neighboring
druggist and others, with some persu aston,
prevailed upon q certain member OF the
family to retire and accept the hospitality
of friends in an adjoining apartment until
these startling scenes should be ended. No
sooner had willing hands assisted the faint
ing lady to other apartments than q dread
fuI scream resounded throughout the prem
Uses. We thought the afflicted lady had
been seized with some spasmodic attack, but
the persons who had volunteered their
valuable aid to remove her returned,
and others ran up from below to see
if any one was injured or what had hap
peued to call forth such shrek. Then the
fact was patent to all of US that this scream
was only another of the torments OF this IN
explicable scene. 1t was piercing shrek,
quite audible 10 every one up stairs and
down, and created profound impression.
The climax was now passed. In the alter
noon the knocking was resumed at less ire
uuent intervals and the call returned. A
new and more harmless feature also made
its appearance-that of a soft, nsinuating
whistle; short, yet deliberate, with q rising
infection. II seemed to come from the mid
die of the house, but patient watching and
listening afforded no cleW. Occasionally the
knocks and violent cane-rappings would put
in an appearance, but at noticeably rarer
intervals. During these exciting episodes
detectives were examining the cellar and all
its approaches, and were supposed TO be
making a thorough search, but without re-
suits. They were inclined to rldicule the
whole business. Operations on Friday again
ceased for the day before dark. My intense
curiosity and the fascination OF the mystery
again led me to call early on Saturday morn
ing, Upon my arrival / learned that
nothing up to 9 o'clock had occurred. About
10 o'clock the familiar four-stroked, impera-
tive knock resounded upon the ire1. door
again. Soon afterward the head OF the
house, who was at home this day, wal
about to take his departure on marketing
tour and had passed out of the door. For
getting something he returned, leaving the
door open, upon which the gong set up I
lively gait even as we looked upon 1t, though
strange to say the handle did not move
Neither could we initiate the ringing uPor
| Immediately testing it. This was the only
time at which the private gong was tamperec
with, and it was the only demonstration that
gave coloring TO the theory of electricity ad
vanced by some. Among the many who
called TO crafty their curiosity was gentle
man who appeared to have some practical
| ideas and was accordingly admitted. He
claimed to have been an English detective
| at one time. However, he took hold with g
will and was impatient for something to turn
up. 1t was II o'clock before his patience was
| rewarded, when the old knockIngs agair
| asserted themselves. He was now all atten'
| ton and going to solve it at once. Presently
| he was further RECALLED with few "lead
pencilings," 'whistle" or two and one per
emptory "call," which rather staggered him
| He worked we'll Going to the elevator h'
| took out the planking, examined the floors
| inserted his knife about the floors and wire
| connections, and did every conceivable thing
| to find a clew, and yet, whenever hi
| back was turned or he would rest momen
| to think it out, something would gree
| him. Either ''whistle" or the "taps" woulC
| return to mock him. Finally, he gave 1t NJ
| as the most remarkable performance he haC
ever witnessed and went away, promising
| however, to return and yet solve it. Al
| Saturday afternoon the whistling continued
| apparently now coming up the elevator
| We would sit near it and open the elevate
door. The whistling would come forth a
| clear as flute. When we stood in the door
way it would stop. But let US just with
| draw our heads and we would get it again
| always seeming within a few feet of us. On
| of the party stationed himself in the bottom
of the elevator in the cellar, but with tn
came result-we never caught anything
Our watching was not quick enough. Flo
five mortal hours three of us and a police
man puzzled our brains over it, all to n
avail. 1t was 30 lifelike and natural that
\ seemed fathomable. Sometimes it attempte
few notes in drpeggiO, but our imitation
we're very feeble and ludicrous. The SCUM
ceased about 5 o'clock but returned about
p. M. when, upon the pianos being used, thi
thing, Whatever it was, whistled snstches i
perfect time and tune, always tak
ing as preference, however, tn
dominant harmonies, which to m
seems a remarkable and strange feature
| Others were called in to hear 1t and were q
greatly mysti6ed. On Sunday, the last an
only whistling took place about noon.
resembled now the blast of fog-horn an
was decidedly startling, inasmuch as 1t wa
thought the torment had ended for gooc
One other whistle was heard like blowing i
the neck of bottle. With these two start
ling toots, the visitor departed. / shoul
have mentioned before that the bell-hangln
| was entirely destroyed and had to be re
paired before it could be used again. A
the demonstrations were confined TO tn
private hall, and everything of a metalli
nature in the hall contributed its mite c
noise. A bronze door-knob was shaken an
turned several times. The crank OF tube
whistle was seen to move, and added Its tin
rattle once or twice. Taken altogether
was a memorable experience, more 30 as al
the demonstrations were enacted before gu
eyes, and our unceasing efforts to unravel
always resulted in failure.
Incredible as it may seem, the picture
anderdrawn, many minor demonstration
being omitted. The foregoing is Dothing bu
a plain, truthful statement OF facts just a
they occurred, which can be substantiated b
two others, who, like myself, were not mem
bers of the family, but simply witnesses c
what transpired. Five people in all weI
eye and ear-witnesses of these facts. In thi
connection, too, may add that the idea c
supernatural agencies has never for mo
ment been accepted by any of the family c
witnesses as solution of the mystery.