The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-05
A BLIGHTED HOUSE.
A GENUINE GHOST CROPPING IN
JACKSON WARD.


JACKSON WARD.
$1,000.
Unusual and Jnaccountable Sounds In a
North sixth street House During the
"witching Hours"-FamiIy Forced 90
Move.
The quiet ulacidiiy Of the city is not often
disturbed by sensations. and the bare men,
ton Of a real ghost story with genuine
haunted house attachment and the usual
accessories dove tailed thereto, viii strife
the average RichmondoT's credulity quite a
hard blow; but as the facts given below Will
be- readily youched for by several citizens
now that the secret is out. in despite Of ihe
careful efforts made TO keepall mention Of
IT out OF the papers-doubt viii vanish away
with the March morning misis.
For years and years there has stood in
the heart Of that section Of the city known
az Jackson ward. on the east side of Sixth
street, near Baker, frame house Of plain
style and two stories high. In the front yard
two small sturdy cedar trees grow. There
is nothing about the place 90 indicate weird
or unnatural occupants, and if consulted
about il. the unassuming little structure
would doubtless shrink from the publicity
that this article viii occasion.
ITS LATEST OCCUPANT.
Mr. George Cocster is the bugler of the
stuart Horse Guard, and whenever that
handsomely-equippod troop "turns OUT
Bugler COcstcr, mounted ON "a mammoth
irOn-gray horse, is IN bis proper place, and
performs the necessary functions (as they
say i'm the "GOndoliers") 20 wheel the cayal-
rymen about. Mr.. COcsier is also the we'll
known and accommodating dispenser 40
sanger Halle-a position be has filled with
satisfaction TO its patrons for years.
Mr. COester was the last occupant Of the
house above mentioned. When he moved
in his troubles began 10 brew and the
smooth waters Of his matrimonial life were
stirred 90 the bottom. Ilo does not live in
lhe house now and the aqua 90 which
reference has been made has become like
glass.
AT MIDNIGHT
Mr.. Coasters business usually kept him
out every evening as late as midnight
When be would reach home be would often
lind his wife nervOusly awaiting his arrival
and she would tell him Of the sounds she
had heard when every body about the place
was supposed 90 De asleep. Doors that she
rad carefully shut before retiring would
slam; windows that had been shut would
bea as noisy as If opened. and cold draught-
of air could be felt 40 unexpected places
The bOarders i'm the house would Doe ques
toned: they. too, had heard the noises
but could not divine Che cause
one night Mr.. Cocstcr was sick, and
while living in bed he heard peculiar noise
n the hallway. People seemed % Doe trying
iO get in the door, 10 seemed, and the win
dow sounded like 10 was being rapidly
pushed up and down. Mr.. C0ester men
toned the subject % his wife. She bad
heard the sounds. tOO-nOt only that night
but many "a time before. lie then got uI
and went into the hall, lamp I'm hand
Nobody was TO be seen. The noises con
tinued. lie opened the front door and
looked out. Nobody was there. lll
door closed. The knocking and rattlin'
was Immediately resumed. and the win,
was not blowing al the time. TO see If OBJ,
breeze of the night was the cause. however
tine doors and windows were chinkcd, bu
lhe noise was not stopped.
There were two dogs on the ground, and
while the noises lasted. one-the NeviOund
land -vhined piie0usly and the other
little Spitr-rdn around the yard as if h'
was mad.
BOARDERs MOVING OUT.
The boardcrs soon became tired of tho
disturbance every night, and moved q
rooms where their rest would not DE broker
no odd hours. and M. Coasters wife became
afraid t0 stay in the house 40 night alone
So Mr.. Leopold Spies. friend of the family
whose artistic painting can be seen around
town. was asked 10 live in the house unit
the family could find rooms elsewhere.
lie agreed. and the first night bee stayed
In the house Mr.. COcstcr went into bis room
before going 10 his own. Mr. spies was
sitting i'm bed. and his face matched ill
coyoriet in color it is said.
Thank Heaven you've come Doc cX-
claimed. "l'ye been hearing those Internal
noises YOU told me about an night. I'm thai
next room there it sounds as il somebody
had been rolling a baby carriage for an
hour"
n AND OUT.
The cause of the noises was never discoy.
cred. and often Mrs. COester would become
SO annoyed that she would 20 out and stay
with some OF ihe neighb0rs until her hus
band came.
zone night" said Mr.. Coester, while talk
ing about the matter last evening. 81 went
home and found my wife sitting up waiting
for me. 10 was after IL O'Clock. SHE asked
me if I had been in before. ] told her no.
and hadn't. She then said that 1T sounded
like somebody came and opened The front
door and walked up the steps, went tO a
window and raised the shade unlO0soned
tine fastening, hOisted the window and low.
cred 10 and then went down the stairs
again.
~On one occasion when ] knew ! would
De out late, ! offered six darkics-One after
mOiher-a dollar 10 20 ont there and sid
on the steps tin / came. but they would not
do 10. The house was 'hanted' they said.
"Of course / do not believe in all this
ghost business. but | will say that it wa.
ON account of the noises that I moved ont
of the house. My wife would not stay
there
TIE ANIMALS KILLED.
The "hlight" ON the place seems to have
even extended 90 the animals thcreab0ut
a pair of pigs sent TO Mr.. Coestcr from
Hanover. died i'm about three weeks; three
fine LoghOu ROSTERS laid down in "a week
and a goose turned on her back in few
days. Nothing seemed 10 flourish but the
dogs.
One of the canines-the spitz-had but
one occupation during the day while living
there. I'm the rear yard stood plum tree
and near this the dog spent his time ir
scratching ON the ground and barking
something of interest may Doe buried there
one OF the more superstitOus ueighb0r-
says the house is haunted By the ghost off q
woman who had q secret 90 tell but died
before she could give il utterance.
DETECTIVE WREN DEAD.