The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-07-27

Loud Raps and Mysterious Noises
Strong Men Take to
Their Heels.
From the New Orleans Picayune.

\ Inc gnOSt WOuIunI Wdlk anu
the knowing ones-those well up in
ghost lore said it wasn't good night
for ghosts, and they were right III
their prediction.
The performances of the mystic
rious beings in the house of Mrs.
Zoph, at the corner of TchOupitoulas
and Bordeaux streets, IL the Sixth
district, had gained great nOtOriety
since last Wednesday night-the first
occurrence of the mysterious rappings
and noises and last night the largest
audience ever gathered at the corner
were assembled to witness the antics
of the alleged denizens from beyond
the grave.
A cablegram from the other side of
the mystic river had been received
yesterday evening by some one in d.
rect communication with the ghosts -
probably it was the manager at any
rate when the reporter of the Picay-
une reached the Seventh station the
information had already been cOmmu
nicated to the police and sergeant
Blouin informed the reporter that the
ghost had concluded to rest himselftO-
night, being exhausted from his exer-
tons of last Wednesday and Thurs
day. He, however, volunteered to
accompany the party to the scene,
and at about $3.50 o'clock they reach
ed there.
A crowd of about 800 persons were
assembled around Mrs. ZOpfi's saloon,
ladies young and old, meH of all sizes
and descriptions, cOlored and white,
were gathered there, and the side
walks around the house on both streets
were blockaded. Mrs. ZOpf's bar
room was open and doing rushing
business, aud the crowd waited patient
| " for the first rap. Mrs. ZOp6 was
standing behind the counter serving
the customers, but no unusual noise
could be heard, and it must indeed
have been a most powerful ghost that
could make himself heard amidst the
murmur of many voices and the con-
fusion which prevailed.
Mrs. Zopf volunteered her services
in conducting the party through the
house, though she also asserted quite
positively that the ghost "would not
walk to night" She was not in the
least bit alarmed, and stated that she
had slept in the haunted house last
night and had not been molested or
annoyed after 11:30 o'clock, when the
ghost retired.
Her story, corroborated by several
parties, was to the effect that on
Wednesday night frequent rappings
at the doors, on the armoires, beds,
ETC.. had been heard, and she became
alarmed and ran out of the house.
While she was in the house the ghost
or spirit appeared to accompany her
wherever she went, and continued
rapping at the furniture near which
she might be standing or on the doors
she would pass. She ran to her young
est child's crib and there heavy blows
were struck. When she reached the
sidewalk the rapping ceased, and ac-
companied by some ten or twelve
men she re-entered the house. No
sooner had she done so than the noise
recommended more violently than
ever, and the men ran out almost ter
ri6ed out of their senses. One of
those who went in, who professed to
be an unbeliever, said he did not
think there was q drop of blood left
in fluid state In his veins.
Mrs. Zopfi then mustered up cour-
age and remained in the house,
but all that night the noise con-
tinued and she was unable to sleep.
On Thursday night the rapping
commenced at $50 o'clock, just as she
was about to retire. Three distinct
blows were struck on the headbOard of
the bed 80 hard and so hefty that she
thought that the headboard was
split. She looked under and behind
the bed, but could see nothing, al
though there was a light burning in
the room at the time. Suddenly three
raps in quick succession were struck
on the armoire, and then repeated raps
all through the house.
Mrs. Zopf's father, who slept in a
rear room, was aroused and arose and
dressed himself. The children became
frightened and ran screaming to their
mothers room. A large crowd was
on the outside and some of them en-
tered, but as long as she remained in
the house the rappins continued, until
midnight, when they ceased, and up
to 10 o'clock that night had not been
resumed.
Mrs. Zopf, awho appears to be a
brave and sensible woman, says she
could not account for the noises. She