Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-23
NO. 147.
contained only three inhabited houses /; it now
contains lso. A hotel of nearly 100 rooms
has risen s'like an exhalation," and board at
private houses is 81 day, with the privilege
of sleeping outdoors
California's Convent Ghost.


Californta's Convent Ghost.
MysrERIous LieHrs AND RArrrNes WITHIN
CoSsEcRArRp wAtLs.
About quarter of mile east Of the San
Leandro Railroad depot stands a convent con-
Quoted be the Dominican Sisters. The build
ing is ancient. or At least part of it s. and
was formerly the court house and jail Of
Alameda County, when San Icandro was the
country seat. Surrounding the structure
which is two stories in height, is large lawn
studded with streets of various kinds and
pretty grsvelcd walks and drives. The old
building is full of story. II has been racked
by earthquakes and scorched by fire. Cold
blooded and brutal murderers have slept
within Its walls. and two of them paid the
penalty for their crimes in the yard. where a
hideous looking gsllows formerly stood.
Various hobgoblin tales have recently gone
the rounds about ghosts infesting the base
ment of the convent building, where murder.
ers' row used to be. Strange and mysterious
rappings were heard after dark, and faint
halo OF light could be seen moving past the
cells. Last week Chronicle reporter visited
San Leandro to investigate these reports.
The building was found nesting away in the
shade of the tall trees. the grass and shrub
berry looked cool and inviting, and the visitor
entered. The gardener, middle-agcd
ccotcman, was encountered IN the grounds,
and visit to the old prison cells was permit
cd.
uoing uown zen OF uoSen sseps; the ioo.
falis on when echoed dismaily ana reveroe-
rateu oowh 'ne coIriuor WIN shostiy souhu.
the reporter found himself IN the Old JAIL,
with four cells on one side OF the corridor.
Tho two cells in tho front Of the huildinu are
very eommodious, measuring tnirty ny tweh-
y rect IL was IN one OF tnese sna. tme "vs
terious noises were nrst heard-ce!i NO. l.
wherein was connned hamon Amauor, orn, ,,
'ai muruerer VINO was eSecu'ea ",.ne Jsn
yaru on the ga uay OF september, io'i, 'or
the murder OF Hehrv hscoek' IN january Oh
tbat year.
ms oiu place wherein Amaaor spent ms
last day upon earth is now full OF rubbish.
Inc oiackeneu OARS !" tne gtateu WINDOW
looking out on tne lawn are dust-covereu ana
rus'-eaten. Inc heavy orick arcn that FORMED
,ne fooI OF tne ce', mas crumnaeu away anu
pas oeen rep,Aceu oy pine cehins as' '''",s
the moor Oh tie convent reception ROOM. IL
was there IN the dismal darkness OF the gloomy
cell that the ghostly noises and phantom light
were nrst heard anu seen. soon aIter tne
oid Jaii was reconstructeu INTO convent.
,he raFPines sh,iteo ana were n,en'v near1
IN various portions oi tue ola prison. anu
were ioiowed by 'ne appearance OF tne ign,,
whicf was carried through the corridor with
slow ana measured tread ny some n.seen
agency.
Scotcnman named 1ioDon, employed az
the church near the convent, VINO was, untii
ABOUT TWO months ago, the garoener ~ tne
convent ana slept IN tue cell iormer'y the
quarters OF hiscocks muraerer. was the nrst
to hear the rappings ana see the iight. ne
described the noises as very tfhing ana
awe-ihspirine' ana stated Una. tney nrM came
from under. ground, then gradually ascending
the wailss the tappings could be heard on the
upper hoor or ROOF OF the cell. and on tue
stone steps; then followed the passing Of the
light through the corridor at short intervals
during the night
TO the reporter uiooon had no theory a. 70
the cause OF the phantom,ike proceedlngs.
6ut IN ms simple way said ~ was tne aes,
uiooon aom'ued having oeen 10 osaiy "igh,-
ensd at the unusuaI proceedings that ne nrst
changed ms sleeping apartment from the cell
to another portion OF the convent, but, still
hearing the noises and seeing the light, he
beat retreat and left the convent, going over
to the church. lie says that ne couid not see
anything resemb'lnga human or amman Iornl
fa N N