The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-12-17
SCOTCH MACS GHOST.
An Uneasy Lafayette Spirit That
Loafs Around a Bar.


John Cregan's inn is an antiguated
frame structure, located on the corner OF
Bramhall avenue and Woodward street
The inn proper is small slovenly look
ing apartment on the ground floor, with
furnishing of single table and chair. a
huge refrigerator, that leaves room for
little else, few empty whiskey bottles,
two smoky, dim-burning oil lamps. TO
the left are vacaut lots that stretch over
to the canal.
The place is singularly lonely after
nightfall, even though there are other
habitations to the left and rear.
Cregan has resided at this place since
May last, at which time he took five
years lease of it.
The spook, spirit, or whatever it may
be, first manifested itself to Mr.. Cregan
the night after he moved in. 1t has been
paying nightly visits ever since, though
at times it would be more obstreperous
than at Others AS it frequently made its
appearance from behind the bar the
popularity of this circumstance may be
accounted for.
Mr.. Cregan's bar trade has never
amounted to much, his main dependence
being on the boarders and dodgers he Sc
cured. He has, however, lost these, and
believes himself on the eve OF bank
ruptcy
DENNY BROWN GREAT FRIGHT.
The most recent visitation of the spook
was made on Saturday night last. The
hostlery was closed up snug and secure
at the legal hour The family had re-
tired and were wrapped in slumber when
hammering and battering at the side
door aroused the entire household. Mr.
Cregan, who processes disbelief in ghosts,
though he has heard and seen strange
things in that house, hurried down stairs,
where he found a young man named
Denny Brown half dead from fright.
Denny's hair was standing on end; he
was as pale as the snow on the ground
and begged to be admitted. Mr.. Cregan
had been up late and requested his wife,
who had been asleep from early in the
evening, to remain with Denny for q
while. This Mrs Cregan did,
SPIRITS BEHIND THE BAR
About an hour after there occurred a
fearful racket behind the bar as though
allsthe spooks in creation were juggling
the beer kegs and the water and ale pipes
were engaged in wrestling bout. Mrs.
Cregan was more than frightened. So
was Denny, but neither had courage to
shout for more company.
No serious effects have resulted from
| this visit, except Denny's avoidance of
the place ever since.
On previous occasion, probably a fort
night ago, a young man named Smith
claimed TO entertain no rear OF or Dellef
in ghosts. Ten minutes later he was in
dulging in acrobatic exercises in the back
yard, without living soul to witness the
antics or lend him assistance. Smith was
10th to admit his encounter with the mys-
terious being, but his condition Yves sutfi-
cient evidence.
THE SPOOK GRABBED HIS FACE.
On another occasion while Mr.. Cregan
was closing up for the night and mad
turned down the lights, his face was
grabbed and held as in vice, and then
twisted until be thought it was broken.
Here Mr.. Cogan offered up prayer for
courage and assistance which was
granted. Upon turning up the lights no.
thing unusual could be discovered. every
thing being in its place
Cregan says he would not remain there
five minutes if he could dispose of his five
years lease, while the thought of remain
ing there four years more almost makes
him gray headed.
SCOTCH MAG.
endeavored to secure the identiGca-
tion of the spirit with possible success
1t appears that two years ago woman
known as Scotch Mag" kept the place
and during her incumbency boarder
died without attendance. 1t is supposed
that he liked the place so much that he
returns every night.
When not cutting capers in the bar
room, the mysterious being is meander-
in o. nm and down the narlOrS