San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-13
A BLACKSMITH'S GHOST
That Blows the Bellows and Tips
the Anvil in the Nighttime.


the Anvil in the Nighttime.
From the Philadelphia Times.
The usually quiet village of Canter-
bury, nine miles south of Delaware's
capital, is now greatly excited over
the appearance of q ghost.
The village is q quaint, old-fashion-
ed place, and was formerly one of the
most thriving stage line posts south
of Wilmington. When the Delaware
railroad was built the stage line was
discontinued, and one by one the
former enterprising inhabitants dis
appeared, the half dozen taverns
closed their doors, and Canterbury
gradually settled down into a modern
edition of Goldsnith's Deserted
Village"
But few of the old residents re-
NAMED, and they have of late years
disminished in numbers, until now
but q half dozen of them remain to
gather around the stove in the one
store, which does duty as q post
office also, and on winter evenings
tell the oft-repeated tale of Canter-
DuTy 3 lOrusoI STcdlucsS.
Among these few white-haired men
was one who had in former times
been one of the most useful of them
all. Wesley Hammond had for full
two score years piled his trade in the
little village smithy, where the glow
of his forge and the loud ringing of
his anvil had told of work we'll done.
1t is right here that the present
state of affairs hinges. The trade in
the shop has for several years been
aU very low ebb, and the fast aging
smith has lett his forge cold because
there was no more work to do. Like
many another Woodworking man, he
had not laid up store of this worlds
goods, and the loss of his occupation
lett him without means. Two years
ago he was forced to seek q home in
the Almshouse Of Kent county.
His industrious spirit rebelled, and
he again returned to his deserted
smithy, where in the early spring of
this year he began operations. For
time he had work in abundance,
but the old man had become feeble,
and after a month of hard work he
became sick, and In June returned to
days ago he died. .
finished and his spirit must have
been greatly Dubbed, for he had al.
ways been most punctual in his bust
ness, never allowing his patrons to
wait tor their tools which had been
left for repairs.
The night of his death was
stormy one, and while the belated
farmers were returning from work
they heard strange noises in the little
one-story shop. They were the
sounds of the rubbish being cleared
away, the blowing of the ancient
bellows, and finally the loud ringing
of the anvil, on which were struck
powerful blows. The villagers were
greatly frightened and dared make
no Investigations.
The morning found them more
amazed, for when a few more bold
than their neighbor visited the shop
they found everything just as it had
been for months, and every night
since then the same uncanny per-
torrance has taken place and none
of the villagers will go near the
dreaded spot.
Opinions differ. Some, among
whom is William Creddick, the old
est man in the place, having been
driver on the stage line seventy years
ago, declare that the old smith has
returned to complete his labors. A
few of the younger people are some
what cynical, and declare that some-
one is trying to frighten the villag-
ers.
An investigation followed the sec
ond appearance of the ghost on the
night of the day following the old
smiths death, but it revealed simply
the fact that it is impossible for any
one to enter the shop, as the doors
and windows are all securely nailed.
1t was then decided to wait and
make descent On the place if the
ghost appeared the next night. This
was accordingly done. About 8
O'Clock there was glow shining
through the chinks of the old walls
and in q few minutes the ringing of
the hammer was heard. ..,..
With many faltering steps the
doubters approached the building,
but on arriving within a few yards Of
the place the light suddenly disap-
peared, the noise ceased and all was
again quiet.
Every evening since that time the
same phenomenon has taken place,
until now there are no more doubters,
for all have come to believe in the
existence of the ghostly blacksmith.
The children are afraid to pass the
shop going to and from school, and
make detour of nearly mile in their
efforts to avoid the place; women are
10th to leave their homes after dark,
and even the men avoid passing the
ahar Iona