The evening times., 1896-09-21

the party venture remark. Before the
reporter cxpla ined that he desired to leave.
| 4 succession Of rapid knocks resounded from
the door OF the roofn. Not u person was
withinten feet ofthe door, which was swing
ing open. AS the party moved down stairs
all, including Edna, being ahead OF the re-
porter. several hollow raps resounded
through the hallway.
Returning to the parlor. Mrs. Estcn, see
ng that the matter would surely become
Snown 20 the public, stated to the reporter
that late on Thursday night the family de
termined to send Edna and her gra ndmother
away Tor the night. The weird rappings
were so violent nd numerous that Mr. Esten
| became almost frantic. and, hoping TO obtain
Il rest, thought 1t wise that Edna should I've
| iaken away
SOUNDS FOLLOW EDNA.
Mrs. Wright and Edna. accompanied by
Mr.. Estcn, went 10 IA hotel and engaged 4
room. After seeing them settled for the
night, Mi. Esten returned TO his home. On
she folio wing morning Mrs. Wright u nd Edna
returned to their home. Their faces tod Df
| a fearful night spent at the hotel, and Mrs
Wright was asked how she had rested the
previous night.
oh, cannot tell YOU how we have sut
| fered," said Mrs. Wright to her daughter:
in the hotel corridor the noises broke upon
is, and later in the night. the whole room
seemed filled with strange sounds. Tie
| rappings were upon the head ndiootbOarus
Of our bed, upon the door of the roo'u.
and even at the window Edna and cluns
! 10 each other closely in our fear. and only
| slept after the noises had ceased for some
| time"
Mr. Esten was seen at a late hour
| last night. lie appeared as a man un-
| deTgoiDg some terrible ordeal. Il have
| been urged 10 allow a scientific Investi
cation" said lie, but | arn confident
| here is no use in following such n
| cOurse. have been 4 detective for
many years. and have looked into such
cases myself, and always found an ex-
| planation heretofore. But this case is
| not explainabIe. ! have my own teliefs
| n the matter. and Ieel that an invesii-
=ation, other than such as have already
been made 10y the doctors and the sev
eral detectives who have been at the
house, would not only be unnecessary, but
would throw 10 additional light upon :"
Mr.. Esten says that should there be q
| continuance OF the weird knockings he
| would change his residence. It is learned
| That it is Mrs. ESten's desire TO have sew
| eral Clergymen OF various denominations
come to her home and join in prayer that
lie supposed spirit, ii an evilone, be driver:
| way.
| THEIR PRA YERS EFFECTIVE.
While the public has not lost interest
| n the mysterious manifestations at the
| home of Mr. Esten, which caused such
| lneasiness 10 the family, and especially
20 EtLic Edna. Tie tvl > .if-u!d laughter
| curiosity seekers are no longer admitted tc
| he house. There have been no rappings
| anywhere in the house since IL O'Clock
| Friday night, and the Estens believe the
| rappings will not return. Mrs. Esten and
| ler mother. Mrs. Wright, said last night
| That the family has arrived at its own con-
| custom 10y way of a solution of the mys-
| terions affair.
| Mrs. Wright said to a reporter that the
| rappings were certainly aused by q spirit,
| out that the spirit had been driven out
| through the efficacy Of prayer. We have
| all prayed said she, land the spirit has
| departed. We know our prayers brought
about this desired result and we have no
| further fears"