The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-01-29
a FAITH HEALER's GHOST.
IL Is Seen Frequently ana Always
Carries "A Spade.

st. Louis Jan. 23.-There is a dilapi-
dated, gloomy little shanty near the
Iron Mountain railroad tracks. just north
of -CouKtois street, in Carondelet, which
is haunted. The ghost of Michael Kuhn
is said appear there every night at p
o'clock, and remains until the first streak
of day. Reputable citizens have seen the
appartion and passers-by give the des-
olate spot a wide berth when travelling
that way at night.
Michael Kuhn was found dead in the
lonely, worm-eaten shanty several weeks
ago. He was 70 years old, and for twen-
ty-five years resided in Carondelet. His
trade OF shipbuilding was forsaken for
the calling of a spiritualst and Chris
tian science doctor AS such he was re-
nowned throughout the South End. His
fame as a Christian science healer even
reached the ears Of a number of fash
ionable women, who, bedecked in ele-
giant attire, drove to the door of his lit
tie howell in handsome carriages. The
faith healer led a hermit's life. He had
reared a family but the members had
scattered out into the world. So in his
old age his dingy abode became the mecca
to which hundreds came monthly for
relief from temporary Ills.
No tramp ever knocked at the old
mans door and went away empty handed,
yet he was said to be penurious, and
boarded his money like mser, content
with bare necessities of life. His self
abnegaton exhibited itself to a remark
able degree in dealing with its patients.
Such a thing as a fee never entered into
the question. He never requested money,
and to ask him the price of his services
would have been TO insult him. And on
account of this fact he was paid more
literally than he would have been other
wise. Money was left lying on the table
or bed by patients. If they wished to
depart without paying anything, 1t was
all right They were just as welcome
the next time they came. Grateful pa
tents are said to have showered gold
upon him, and the faith doctor was sup
posed to be getting rich.
He was found dead in bed one morn
ing There was no fabulous sum about
the premises, and only $50 was found
on his person. The curious marveled
much, and the rumor became current
that Kuhn had always changed his
money into gold and buried it. He had
no faith in banks, and would not de-
post it with them. Quite a sum of
money was supposed to be buried, ana
George Woerley, saloon keeper, at Cour-
tots street and Iron Mountain railway
all. AS yet he has not dug up the treas
ure. and it is claimed that he win not
until he carries out the will of Michael
Kuhn.
The burial of the body, however, was
contrary to Kuhn's expressed desires
and will He left word that he wished
that his body be cremated. Because
this was not done those conversant with
ghost lore say that the spirits cannot rest
quiet in the world beyond until its ter
restrial commands are carried out Many
who claim to have seen the apparition
aver that there is no doubt that Kuhn
buried a large sum of money, for the ghost
carries a. specter spade and digs all about
the floor of the shanty in search OF
something.
When the proper person observes the
spirit, it is said that he will stop long
time oveF-the- right spot so that they who
learn the secret will be sure to eXhume
the body and cremate 1t. SO many be-
came the rumors of the ghost in the old
shanty that Ben Loewenstein, a mer-
chant in Clarondelet accompanied by
George StahI, his friend, resolved to in
vestigate Sunday night was selected Tor
a favorable opportunity, and having taken
up their positions near the shanty about
1870 D. M the two gentlemen waited eX-
pectant and anxious in the darkness for
midnight. Finally as the.two men waited
a distant church bell began to chime the
hour of r. At the first stroke the OBJ
servers. approached the structure on tip
toe. and peeped through crack in the
wall All before them was inky darkness.
But while they looked, snow white APP
parftion in the form of man carrying
a spade appeared. About in the darkness
II ditted digging here and there, but did
not hover, long over any particular spot
Every now and then came hollow sound
or a voice. which seemed to say, MY VIII
Il I'D h.
Then. Immediately after the noise, the
specter commenced to dig fiercely here
and there The apparition in general out
line resenbled Michael Kuhn. When day
light came the ghost vanished, and
thorough Investigation upon the part OF
Mr. Loewenstein and Mr., Stahl failed TO
reveal ANYTHING to indicate that they had
been boaxed. They cannot account for IL,
and saw that they have come to the con-
clusion that there is such a thing as
ghosts.
vealed the fact that ne had died from in
fammatory rheumatism. Then came the
reroarlyable revelation that he had always
refused medical attention for the most
acute and painful form of rheumatism.
He had been suffering from 1t for a long
time, but he always expressed the hrm
belief that he was sure to be cured by
faith Everything in connection with his
death supported the conclusion that he
had tried to cure his painful disease with
that mystical, Intangible thing. faith.
There was no evidence that he had ever
taken medicine.
The fact that he had tried to cure him
self by the means employed TO cure others
showed him honest in his belief. For sew
a.a1 months he must have suffered acute
! ". vet holding up under the delusion that
he was all right, and that his pain was all
imagination When last seen alive he
seemed as well and in as good spirits as
usual. and walked about by sheer force
Of will, which conquered the pain 10 some
extent.