The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-03-16
LIGHT AND SPIRITS.
\ CHASTITY Sensation In PaIatka.--A
Strictly True Tale Lacking Et- :.
planatiOn---A New Problem

planatiOn--A New Problem
for ScOffers To Solve
A Shining Ter
ror.
/ We have hesitated for some DAYS TO
give the following particulars to the pub
lie; anything like notoriety would be
distasteful to the parties concerned and
without calling names the marvellous is
apt to be incredible. But we give only
! plain facts well known to most reputa-
bic people in Palatka, and they present
so many interesting features that we
cannot resist the temptation to make
them public.
-Four winters ago gentleman in fee
BILE health visited our city and secured a
room at house that shall be nameless.
He was carefully nursed but gradually
pined away till he seemed only skin and
bore. Under the treatment Of his phys
ician he lay for several days in q coma.
tose state, and, while so weak that he
could scarcely turn his head. the beating
of his heart could be distinctly heard at
the distance Of several feet OIL. lie sank
gradually and expired. Since then the
house has changed hands several times
and was occupied by new tenant quite
recently. The same chambermaid,
however, remained and she AYERS that
whenever she is alone in the room
she can still hear the fearful beating
of that ''tell.tale heart However,
she has said nothing, and declares
that she knew the noise could in
no way hurt her, while custom has made
her almost needless OF the slight but dis.
tinct sounds.
| But during the past week there have
I been developments which compel atten.
r ton. The room in question has been
occupied by three young ladies who have
never heard Of any supernatural mani.
festa,ion connected with the house, and
who, at the time, did not know that any.
= one had died in that particular apart.
ment. Under these circumstances it
seems impossible to believe what they
saw could Dc credited to fancy or highly
wrought dreams. Yet they have been
disturbed by the occurrence Of phenomena
which seems to connect themselves irri-
sistibly with the death of the poor suffer.
er who once languishcd and died SO
strangely within those four walls.
On the first occasion they had just ~.
tired and were discussing some light gos.
sip Of the day when n ball Of light arose
from the floor, lowered near their faces
for moment, assembled TO the ceiling
and disappeared. All distinctly aver
that the appearance was accompanied by
no heat, and that it was no dream or
fanciful deception is attestcd by the fact
that three persons at the same time, saw
it, aud they had sufficient presence Of
mind to discuss it calmly and one even
approached her hand to the light and
= the movement was seen by the other
!. two. The blinds were closely drawn &c
+ that the agency ola magic lantern contri'
. vance from without was impossible and
the door was locked. WHILE THE IlGlI1
FLoATED IN THE ROOM THEY HEARD DIS
rINCTLY A SOUND LIKE THE MrFfi.El
i brT INTENSELY CLvA+ sATIoN OF Al
OVER. puRDENEp iIEAkfSv
On another occasion The light rOs,
slowly from the floor. assembled about 81,
feet and out of ii came gradually tn
etrulgcnt likeness of human face, THU
- to cmacation, wearing a mournful ex
{ preston and covered by full but short
I gray beard. 1t disappeared suddenly
" EuT THE SAME DISTINCT BEATING OF TIL
). HEART WAS PLAINLY HEARD.
u These young ladies feel no fear thai
they are menaccd by personal danger
D but the strain to their nerves has becom,
d too great and they will take another
4 room, Whether the appearances have
a supernatural origin, are painted on thir
r air by the too potent dreams of excited
q feelings or may he attributed to som'
mischievo,- or malicious human sourc,
N we can not as yet determine. But TIN
!, character Of the parties forbid an!
:, thought of collision on their part ant
we are compelled to await development
:. promised by some gentlemen who hav
:. taken the matter in hand.