St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-17
TERRoRtzBD BY a spECTER.

the inhabitants of CentervilIe, n. j.,
and for the past week the residents Of
this small country town have been ter
rorIzed by canny spook which fire.
Quents Evergreen cemetery.
Men as we'll as women have been
frightened out of a years growth by
this ghost, and the utmost excitement
prevails in and about Centerville.
The ghost was first seen on Tuesday
night. Oct. 90, by ae old colored woman,
Jane Brown. who was passing the Ever
green cemetery at about IL o'clock. Mrs.
Brown. with bated breath, tells this
tale: II was passing that place about
IL o'clock at night, when | saw thing
all done up with white clothes on. 1t
was ghost sure, and l was scared to
death. | gave one big, loud scream and
ran, and that thing ran, too, and | saw
it coming. and | was paralYZed with
scare, and the ghost it disappeared. L
ran to my house and told my man Billy,
but he said he had heard of ghost be-
ing in that thar cemetery, and wouldn't
go out there for nothing"
Two exceptionally brave men arrived
at Kaen'S Point about 10:30 last night.
and, boarding a street car, asked the
driver if it would take them near the
Evergreen cemetery.
You amt gOin' ter go to that place
at this time of night, are you?" inquired
the driver.
Yes. Why not"
Because there's a ghost out there
he replied. Zone of our drivers Billy
Hunter, while passing there lhstnig bit
on his way from work, was frightened
by the ghOstand you can bet | wouldn't
ha OF # OH a q
interest in this road"
When the car stopped the bold pair
found they had a good half mile to walk
to reach the cemetery. When about two
squres away from the graveyard the
pair were startled by being accOSted.
Say there, young fellerS, where you
gOin'? Near that cemetery this time of
night? There is ghOStout there, sure.
The grave digger, Tom Smith, told me
about it. and you'll be killed, sure.''
The Adventures found a group of
four colored men standing on the corner
talking eXcitedly about the adventures
of the ghost and ascertained that Tom
Smith, the grave-digger, lived but
short distance away.
A loud knock at Mr.. Smiths door
caused him to get out of bed, and. COM
ing downstairs, he asked what was
wanted. When told about the ghost he
said that he had heard about the scare,
and decided to go along to the cemetery.
Getting dressed, he secured q revolver
and accompanied the party.
short walk and the trio reached the
cemetery gate. which was open. Pre-
pairing their revOlvers, the men stealth
lily entered the burial ground, the RAYS
of a full moon shedding the only light
over the silent graves Of the many hum
dreds buried there. The main drive to
the graveyard was first traversed but
no signs of the ghost were visible. A
thorough search of the cemetery failed
to reveal the identity or whereabouts of
the uncanny being. and a visit was
then paid to the house of Mr.. Beaver,
the superintendent of the graveyard,
situated near the main entrance.
The hour was near midnight, and
after loud banging at the door Mrs.
Beaver p0bed her head out Of the win
dow and inquired what in the name Of
goodness was the matter. When told
that they were ghost-hunters Mrs.
Beaver said that she had heard of some
one frightening people, and only last
evening another complaint was made.
the parties this time" said Mrs.
Beaver. "Were two young ladies from
Camden, the Misses Hutchinson, who
said that strengthening figure had
chased their carriage and frightened
them"
When asked when the spook had last
been seen. Mrs. Beaver said that on the
same evening strange man was seen
in the cemetery. This seem to enliven
the gravedigger's memory, and he said
he had also seen a strengthening man
in the graveyard Tuesday. Il was COW
erng the grave OF child" he said, ''in
the evening, when Withholding man
came running up, and. shaking stick
at the grave, Spat on the coffin. l made
a grab for him, but he laughed wild,
Shrieking laugh, and ran away with
the speed of deer. l gave chase, but
he got away from me, and has been
frightening the people ever since"
''IS there not some place where he
might secTete himself, and stay until
late?" was asked.
"OnIy the vault" replied the grave
digger.
Let us go to the vault" bravely de-
manded the heroic two.
Keeping a sharp lookout for the
SpOOk, they walked to the vault. When
they reached this temporary shelter for
the dead the doors were found to be
wide open.
A search for a match. and then the
three with ready revOverS, entered the
cold. dismal dead-house in the center of
the cemetery. No signs of a ghost were
perceptible. The elevator used for the
lowering Of the bodies was all right, and
everything apparently untouched.
While the search in the vault was be-
ing made a slight noise at the top of the
door was heard, and the two strangers.
followed closely by the grave-diggers,
made rush for the entrance. AS the
two emerged ut the top of the steps
figure was seen, white in color, with
arms extended and the legs partly dis
closed, retreating around the end of the
drive.
"Shoot! Shoot quick and bring him
down." exclaimed the digger. One of
the men had already raised his revolver,
and calling loudly, who are you?'
without any attention being paid to
him, fired. The bullet evidently had
no effect, and the three men
ran after the figure. When
they reached the curve of the
path the figure was seen diSap-
pearing among the tOmbstOnes. and
all traces of him were lost. The figure
was tall and slim. 1t was enveloped
from head to foot in a flowing garment
OF soft. White material, which Huttered
in the moonlight with all uncapny
effect.
A vigorous search failed to reveal his
hiding place, and the two adventurous
youths returned to their homes. firm in
the belief that they had seen and found
a yeritaDle Visitant from some unearthly
resort.
The male portion of Centerville has
sworn vengeance against his SDOOkSbin
and ShotgunS and revOlvers are being
prepared for grand ghost hunt, which
will take place soon, unless the ghost
hunts up some other locality for his noe
turnal ramblings.
But No One Arose.
FREDERICK, NJ. D., March 16.-At yes
terdaY'S session of the Washington NJ.