The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-27
POLICE FEAR A GHOST.
sPECrERS HAUNT THE SCENE OF
KEMLOS AWFUL CRIME.

ETOh atc -'cHe Aofh <dAgeTtL3eFs
One would naturally imagine that the
very last place in Brooklyn in which to look
for a ghost would be a police station, and
more especially in the Second precinct,
located in the noisest quarter OF the CITY.
And yet. from Capt. John Eason, its gallant
army-veteran commander, down to its
latest enrolled patrolman, each and every
one firmly believes that the station is
haunted. Not only that, but all are willing
70 submit evidence on the subject.
In order TO bring the ghost into prominent
relief and give reason for its existence. it
is necessary to go little into ancient his
tory.
The station building, which comprises
Nos. 40 and 81 Fulton street, was formerly
bank, and had for janitor John Kemlo.
Mr.. Kemlo occupied apartments on the
fourth or top floor, overlooking Fulton
street. His son, the Rev. Mr.. Kemlo,
boarded with him, as did also his sons wife.
aud q partition separated the old mans
rooms from those of his son and daughter
in-law, the latter occupying those to the
west OF the dividing line, and the clergyman
and his wife the eastern wing Of the floor
One night about ten years ago the young
clergyman, while temporarily insane, cut
his wife's throat, and then, jumping from
the open window of his fathers bedroom to
the sidewalk. fractured his skull and died at
once
This fourth floor Is now used as dormi-
tory by sixteen officers of the station, and
Patrolmau Barney Malone sleeps, when he
gets chance, in q bed Immediately under
what is termed the Parsons window by
which is meant the one through which
Kemlo jumped to his death. A week OF so
ago in the silent watches of the night Off
the touch of cold hands on his
feet, which he felt were drag
ging him from the bed. Although the
light in the big room burned low, there was
still sufficient there to enable him to see
nothing. And yet he felt himself drawn
down by an invisible power, and he yelled
as loudly as he could, and stretched back
his right hand to the spot under his pillow
where rested his official revolver. Under
ordinary circumstances Officer Malone's
comrades, who raised their heads to
inquire what he was raising
such row about, would have
concluded merely that he had .eaten a
hearty dinner. but knowing the history Of
the room, Officer Hugh Mclaughlin, act
ing as spokesman for the others. contented
himself with saying: 10, boys, go to
of his tricks. Let us 60 TO sleep, and J., Bar
nsy, please don't make any such an awful
clancr.n -.-........
The fact is that they all had been an
noyed before In the same manner, and they
took the whole thing as a matter of course
Even Officer Malone drew himself up
toward his pillow, turned over on the other
side and resumed his slumber as if nothing
unusual had occurred.
This midnight episode may appear gro
tesque, il not humorous. reading to most
people, but the men compelled to sleep in
that room, take it very serious indeed. And
1t would seem as If they had cause, for
there is something more tragic than cold
ghostly hands connected with those apart
ments. 1t is fact well known in police
circles that the second station shows more
deaths among its members by far than
any other in Brooklyn, and though the
medical man may be able to assign sani-
tary cauSes for such mortality, the officers
of the Second persistently maintain that it
arises from superhuman influences.
Any one ente- ting the room for the frs
time cannot tail to De struck with vacant
space between two bedcots right in front Of
him on the Fulton street side. There is
space for one more cot, but no cot is there,
and no man in the station would lie on one
placed there for one nights, If by SO doing
he was to earn 500. AS matter OF fact
Hugh Mclaughlin, above mentioned, who
is philosopher in bis way, has a standing
offer of S25 to any man who will occupy
the vacant space for one night. Up to this
be has found no takers. The tpace is under
the west window, and it was there the crazy
clergyman committed the deed for which
he died q moment later Of his own volition,
The force belonging to the station is COM
posed of fifty-five men. Since the tragedy
OF ten years ago many have died. and OF
the number. five in succession, who used to
sleep on a cot in that space Their names
were Richard Halpin. Edward Acker, Rich
ard Cotton, Patrolman Gardner and John
Costello. Costello, the last victim, died
seven weeks ago. A sixth man went crazy,
and was sent to the hospital. He recovered,
and was transferred to another precinct,
where he does duty cheerfuily and intelli-
gently.
Officer Mclaughlin. the philosopher, who
Knows more about the spook and its ways,
and is more interested in its movements
IMAM aay one else, says regarding it:
People may laugh and jest about such
things, but, after all, will any one assign a
cause for the noises we hear and the things
we see in this dormitory apart from the
supernatural the officers of the station,
though say it myself, are as brave and in
telligent as any in Brooklyn. Owing to
tne peculiar locality they have to do duty
In, they are Injured to danger, ard yet you
cannot get one of them to occupy that
space. Even John McCahan and John Nc
Aenna, two men remarkable for courage,
VINO sleep on either side of it. are nervous
ana wakeful half the night. Would /
Heep therea No, guess not. do believe
II ghosts, but did not take any stock in
them until l came here The most I'M
earthly shrieks are heard in this
room at night, and though the captain says
sney are caused by the reverberations of
tne elevated railroad we have our own
opinions on the matter. Shrieks are heard
wnen the trains are not running, and, be-
sldes, reverberations are not accustomed to
pun Dig, strong men like Barney Malone
ouU Oh Ded. Have even seen the spooka |
t cannot say have, but other officers assert
.uae Iney have seen the bloody drama OF
You years since re-enacted before their eyes;
S ieen ae woman struggling for life on the
t neu ana the mailman jump once more
through the window. The men who have
Sleu are said to have been among the num-
oer VINO saw the grewsome sight"
TOT loug time the officers tried hard to
S SeaV the whole affair as joke, but it was
Scisulal failure. Officer Mclaughlin, pre-
S Sqn1ing 20 LAY" it. used to stand between
LtucNanan and McKenna's cots every night
.D ,sIre retiring, and read from Burns poem,
Man was made TO mourn" right through,
onu ne reads it still, sometimes. but his hear
th no longer laugh. They think of Costello,
Sue last victim, and they shudder and re-
sue9S .ne philosopher to leave off,
~ Mnat 90 you think of the ghost BUSH
ueSSf' asked the reDortar IF (Sant Eoson