Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-12-24
HAUNTED HOUSES.
Authentic and Strange Stories of the Su
pernatural.

stayed at the mouse or Well-t0- do farmer,
who one evening mentioned in converse
; ton that his pleasant home had come to
him III somewhat singular manner.
Twenty years ago the place was owned
by relative, a steady, industrious man,
who, unmarried, resided there with a
younger brother, who was inclined to be
somewhat wild. As time passed on this
young man became more dissipated in his
habits, and was source of anxiety to his
brother, who at length persuaded him to
emigrate to America, he providing the
necessary funds
His passage was taken. and the evening
before the day fixed for his departure he
him on his downcast looks. To him the
young fellow observed that he disliked
the idea of going to America, but added
that he supposed be should have to 60
Very early on the following morning a
shepherd employed by the brothers,
CHANGING to look towards high cliff in
the vicinity, saw against the skyline the
figure of man. For a few seconds it
stood, then, throwing up its arms, ieaped
forwards over the precipice.
The shepherd gave the alarm, and the
mangled body of the younger brother was
discovered at the bottom of the cliff. The
inquest which was held terminated in a
verdict of suicide.
The strangest part of the affair, how
ever, was that from the night preceding
the tragedy the elder brother mysteriousiy
disappeared. At first il was thought that,
unbinged by the terrible mode of his
brothers death, he was keeping ont of
the way to avoid giving evidence; but as
a long time elapsed and he did not return,
he was advertised for in various papers,
British and Colonial; detectives were en-
ployed, and every means used for his dis
covery, but without success. Being the
next of kin, the present occupier took
possession of the place till such time, at
least, as the owner should return. Moth
ing, however, has since been heard of him.
After a little further conversation the
two sportsmen retired for the night, which
was dark, the moon not being visible
After time the artist fell asleep, and
dreamed that on the wall opposite to his
bed a considerable patch of light, like
that of strong moonlight, appeared, and
that in the centre he saw the skeleton of a
man In recumbent position, while at the
feet was piece of mortar upon which
was some writing which he was unable to
decipher. Awakening, the dreamer look
ed towards the wall, and saw to his sur
prise faint light, which gradually grew
stronger.
'The moon is rising, he thought, what
fool | am to be so much impressed by
dream"
But the moon was not rising, and in
the increased light upon the wall he saw
distinctly portrayed the skeleton figure of
his dream, with the piece of mortar at
the feet.
Rising, he lit candle, and the appara-
ton having vanished, he proceeded to
examine the wall. At first he saw moth
ing unusual, but, tapping it, it seemed as
if some cavity was behind it. By day
light he examined it again, and noticed
that some Of the brickwork seemed to
bulge outwards.
At breakfast he related his strange
vision to his friend and the farmer, who
both laughed, and said he must have been
suffering from the nightmare.
An outside examination of that part of
the house, however, proved the wall to BE-
about four feet thick, and as it was a wet
morning, and they had nothing particu-
lar to do, the farmer proposed to pry out
a brick. This was done, and Mr.. c.,
putting his hand into the Eole, discovered
cavity containing something. More
bricks were taken out, and ultimately the
complete skeleton of a man, the feet
resting upon piece of mortar was dis
covered.
The inference was that on the night be-
fore ne was to begin his journey to Amer
lea, the Younger brother had quarreled
concealed the body in the wall, and after
r1c 81 10
had done, committed suicide by jumping
over the crag.
In the fashionable Sydney suburb Of
Woollahra stand an old house which for
some time has been tenantless, and is now
IL bad repair. Although it has been let
repeatedly, no one has remained in it
longer than few weeks.
A Captain NJ, of the merchant SER
vice, leased 1t few years ago, and gave
the following account of his expert
ence:
Captain M saw the house advertised
to let. and wishing to settle with his fami-
ly In Sydney, lie looked over it, liked it,
and the rent being low, became tenant.
For the space of about three weeks moth
ing unusual occurred. The Ms made
no acquaintance in the neighborhood, and
heard nothing whatever of the bad repu-
tation of the dwelling. One summer
morning, about half-past six, Mrs. Nj,
lying awake, saw the bedroom door open
slowly, and the head of negro was thrust
into the room. Somewhat alarmed, Mrs
M awoke her husband. The door by
this time was more than half open, and
both distinctly saw tall, powerful black
man, who stood looking around as if in
search of some one.
Captain M asked what was wanted,
and, receiving no reply, sprang out of
bed, when the negro at once turnd and re-
treated swiftly along fhe passage and
down stairs, closely followed by the captain
who, seeing that the front door was shut,
made sure of closing with tie supposed
burglar.
To his surprise, however, just as he
reached the lowest step the man suddenly
disappeared, seeming to pass through the
door, which on examination was found to
be securely locked and bolted. Captain
NJ searched the house thoroughly. but
found 10 further trace Of the strange Wis
liant. doors and windows were all fastened
and it seemed impossible for anyone to
pass out.
The whole affair remained a mystery.
A short time after. however, the nurse
declared that being alone in Mrs. Ms
room, she had been startled by the en-
trance of black man, who beckoned, but
did not speak Going towards the door
she lost sight of him, and was surprised
on reaching the landing to find no one
there.
On subsequent occasion the three child