Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-06-29
WEIRD GHOST STORY.
NIGHTS OF TERROR ENDURED BY A
PHILADELPHIA WOMAN.
woman Tells of the Strange Act. Of I'm
seen fowers-Supernaturni Light
Furniture Immovable
pie Bufeted Around.
Thilndelnhin Innnirerl

erausts struggle 10 climb to the Heights
OF brocken could scarcely have been more
ueSpalfing than the weird uncaunV exDe-
Tlences which Mrs. David II. Jordan. Of
NO; Hs3 Stlllman street. accredits TO her
sell and husband Their trials IN a
haunted house and the anguish Of mind
they brought form a strange tale. Just
now mr. Jordan Is a gripman in the en-
pioy OF the Traction Company Formerly
ne was special officer at the Grand Opera
House. and before that was a patrolman IN
| the Iwenty-thlrd district. While in the
ponce department he was credited with
having nerves Of steel fearless in the
rally.
Less than a month ago the Jordans ter
minated the unpleasant acquaintance with,
'hey know not what, by moving from tho
scene 9i the trouble. Croskey street, above
NViumbla avenue, TO their present home,
Mhere supernatural terrors do not visit
thein. Mrs. Jordan, after prcfacng her
statements with the positive assertion that
me was IN 20 sense superstltious or be-
said:
To us it was terrible agony. almost
terminating IN death. From the first in
thaj house felt q strange sense Of dread
that, s'rlve as ! would, | could not shake
OF. " was some time. however before
anything was seen. Ny first experience in
thls direction was the sight Of what be-
lleved to be smoke in the sewlng-r0om on
the second floor. IL was tho register and
increased in volume until faucied il as
sumed the form Of a man.
After that The same vision greeted mo
almost daily. Thinking my husband would
laugh at me, reiranod from telling HIM
my Tears. In fact, doubted my own eyes,
me strain told upon me physically. Each
succeeding elliott to shake of the dread |
laboTed undcrercw weaker Sleep at nj hit
became impossible, and often performed
my homework and scwiugwhcn the neigh
borhood was wrapped in siumbcr.
My worst fears were more than realized
when my little girl asked me one day why
! called her during the night and then
failed 70 respond when she answered. The
child had never been told Of any of the
strange occurrences. nor were ghost stories
ever lnstiled into her mind. for my nus
band, though he was policeman. is such
a strict churchman that he would not eat a
meal cooked on Sunday. Always after n
visit Of the thing n strong sulphurous smell
peryaded the house.
For want Of better reason / thought
the trouble WAS caused by water III the
cellar / don't know why thought so,
but grasped at that theory in a blind
struggle for a cause. Finally matters
came 10 such a pass that often wondered
whether my reason was leaving me. Then
told my husband and he confessed that
he had a similar experience that le was
cOnceallng less ! should be alarmed.
After that matters grew worse. That fear
full light gided around everywhere.
Lamps would 90 out without apparent
cause. The bell would ring and loud rap
pings came to the front door at unseemly
hours.
"One morning early I went down into
the cellar to get coal. When touched the
step there was sensation of some one
Juggling at my dress. ] resolved % shake off
what ! tried to think a foolish fear and
continued to descend. When near the bot
tom / was thrown down by an invisible
force. Twice / got up, hut went down
again, each time with greater violence. |
heard no one call. nor did hear wy hus-
band come In, but | recognized him when
he came down in search of me. / was lying
IN the mud, but try as he would he could
not leave the last step TO assist me.
~ lie Saws "a phOsphOreSccnt Ight llIll-
mined my face. | felt n If paralvZed.
When he got me upstairs be used witch
hazel to battle my face. Very shortly after
he was lying on the bed in the second
story. When ! saw HIM his tongue pro-
truded. he was winter than the white-t
corpse. and that strange light was all
about HIM. lie could not move. When
power was restored he declared that we
would have TO move or he would die. All
these experiences were accompanied 10y
utter pro- tration and sickness.
Though we had just paid a months
rent in advance il was decided 10 move az
once. On Decorations We began. All
sorts Of difficulties bcset our path. Pieces
Of furniture became n lmmOvablo a. If
part Of the house. All the strength Of tho
carmen was defied by the mattress on our
bed. They could not move It. While |
was in the second story / was thrown
down. Ny husband hearing me fall rush
ed up stairs and dragged me bodily
from the room. One arm was covercdwlth
the same awful light. 1t was an unnatu-
raj white and dripped with perspTatlon.
lie saws he felt as If shocked with cleo
tricitv when he touched me.
He wanted 10 leave the mouse at once,
hut reminded him Of the money IN the
bureau lie was willing to let it 60. l sent
NV little glrl up for it, but thinking how
cowardly it was TO send her where ! feared
to 90. bounded up after and secured the
money. Since we moved all has been
peaceful. and those terrible times live only
IN memory, which III itself makes me
shuddeT."
Mrs. Jordan isa woman of heroic stature;
has a bright. pleasant face, snappy eyes,
and is endowed with good conversational
powers. The present occupant OF the
Cr0skey-SIrCet House Is Mrs Byrnes, VINO
has lived there over week. Thus far. she
saws. his ghostly Highness has not held
carnival in her new home. Mrs. hohr,
who has lived next door above tor seven
wears. saws her peace has never been
4 inf