The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-26
TENANTED By GHOSTS.
4 Mansion in Ohio Once the Home Of
a Supposed Pirate.
Strange Story of a Beautiful Captive
Maiden Seen But Once Alive-Desth
OF a Remarkable Character.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.

Bucyrus, O., Dec. 21.-Down in the
classic county Of Delaware, almost be
meath the frowning walls Of the univer-
sity which dispenses Wesleyanism Of the
strongest kind. there stands a deserted
castle-like residence whose every outline
gives rise TO gruesome feelings, and lends
q suggestion Of ghost walks that seems to
permeate the very atmosphere. The
building and its surroundings are by no
means poor. There are good outbuildings
and the land around the premises IS ter
tile and gives every promise Of good crops.
The premises were once well kept, and
evidences Of luxuriant comfort are still
Hpparent-
The large house was the subject Of
whispered suggestions. but the death Of
John Robinson on Friday brought out the
real story Of the history Of the building
for the first time. The death of this man
recalls TO memory his former home and
tts traditions, and now that he is dead
the facts in regard to this castle, which
for years has had the reputation Of being
haunted may be published.
A PROSPEROUS IMMIGRANT PROM ENGLAND.
John Robinson was born in London.
England, in 1902, and was from a family
Of Huguenots. His mother was one Of
those strong minded women blessed with
mental and physical vitality known only
70 the Yorkshire farmer, while the hus-
band busted himself in the customs Of the
ald-time Yorkshire man Of the house
In 1875 they came to Ohio, and, visiting
Delaware county, found a beautiful site
where large acreage overlooked the pic
turesque Olentangy, and here they To-
Gated. In a dense growth of timber Rob
fnson selected place and erected a log
house where he might enjoy himself with
his young wife preparatory to erecting a
large and comfortable stone mansion
Only few months had elapsed until he
had designed and started commodious
castle Of modern style
After several years they were able to
move into their new home and were com
fortably situated in this odd building of
his own peculiar idea Of architecture
Their enjoyable homelife continued until
1913 when the home and contents were
consumed by fire. Without loss of time
the debris was cleared away and a new
home started. Upon the completion of
this home he moved in and furnished all
the departments with the most costly of
conyeniences.
Having reached the zenith of life, now
presented the opportunity for him TO
spend his ability as an artist, which had
for years been the object of bis study
With pencil and brush he pictured upon
the walls Of his home designs of noted
interest.
PROVED HIMSELF CLEVER ARTIST.
In one Of the rooms he painted the In
dian chief Logan, surrounded by his IA
nous tribe. In another room he painted
the Last Supper Of Christ" In the
parlOr he painted Persian scene, a win
ter picture, piece of much beauty and
harmony, with city in destruction off
In the distant back ground. Another pic
ture was a natural one-two men in the
woods, one leaning on a gun and the other
sitting on log reading a newspaper
The standing figure represents an Indian
listening intently TO the words dropping
from the lips of the reader The pictures
were all done with ability and are adj
mired still by those who are courageous
enough to visit the house.
John Robinson spent most of his days at
home IN seclusiOn, though it was known
he often went away from home for Ion o
periods. This caused the neigh bors to be
curious, and during one of the periods of
absence neighbor watched at eventide
and gained an entrance to the castle and
surveyed the inner walls and surround
ings. While he was still congratulatinR
himself on his success his ears were dis
turbed by noise of hurried hoof sounds
This was the coming of the landlord, fol-
lowed close behind by party of compan-
ions
MAZEPPA-LIKB FIGURE APPEARS.
On one Of the feet-footed steeds was a
rider dashed tightly and securely, and by
the tenor of the language used by this
rider and the voice it could be seen it was
lady
The pleadings for freedom were pitiful.
and the beseechings TO give her liberty
would have melted the heart of any hu-
man being not petrifed to crimes OF like
character. Upon the approach OF these
equestrains the intruder skulked into am
bush, and at the first opportunity pre-
scented mounted one of the horses to make
his escape. Fired with excitement and
fear, he lasned the whip about the horse,
hurrying to freedom. The animal made a
bad step and fell, throwing the rider, and
he suffered severe injuries.
His cries attracted the inhabitants OF
the castle, and they took him back to the
haunted house. They made him promise
under threat of death to keep the secret
Dehlnd his lips, and, at he promised, he
never said word until, upon the death
OF the owner of the haunted house. he
told this awful story.
In 1852 old man Robinson and his party
so this eye witness alleges, were pirates
and cruised upon Spanish waters and
they captured Spanish family of high
rank. They brought with them upon
their return the youngest child of the
family, she being noted for her childish
beauty. She was placed in a convent at
the age of IL years and remained
there for some time. After the raid and
experience Of the night when the curious
stranger invaded the castle, she was
never seen again.
DESERTED BY ALL BUT GHOSTS.
Since that day no inhabitants of this
dwelling were seen, and at the second
venture to investigate later on, it was
found TO have been vacated, and a few
scraps Of paper and some Spanish coins
were all that could be found A paper
bore the words: Democrats or advocates
OF slavery, volunteers to Mexico to attend
the institution of slavery, read: All low
ers Of freedom will leave their names"
Mr.. Robinson next lived on a farm in
Union county and died in Delaware
county near the haunted castle Hemade
his own coffin and it stood on the landing
OF the stairs like a grandfather's clock.
lie was a man who never drank, never
gave notes and always met his obligations
before they were due. Much of the fine
wood carving in the Neil hotel at Colum-
BUS is the work of his hands, and so well
Is u done that he was termed an artist
The old haunted castle was bought a
lew years ago by an old man named Court
right, who tried to live there but had To
Vacate the premises because of noises as
OF cries of people who are dying The
castle is now the Cpufer of attraction bpt