The evening times., 1896-03-16
SEEKING ASTRAL FORMS
Spiritualists Anxious to Hold Sc
ancss in Haunted Houses.
A Com mittee VIII Obtain Permission
From Owners and Try to Call Up
the GhOstIy minutes.

A list of the so-called haunted houses in
this city and vicinity is being prepared by
q committee of Spiritual lists, including
Capt. william Randall and Mr.. George
Biggs, of No. 1901 E street. The purpose
OF this committee was stated at a conference
held last evening. 1t is to secure permission
from the wners OF the structures in question
to hold matcrializing seances in them.
in other words. they propose to have the
disturbed ghosts or spirits who are sup
posed to haunt the premises appear before
the committee and converse with the mem-
bers, or manifest themselves In any other
manner they may elect.
There are a number OF ancient residences
In this city with uncanny records, which
the committeeman are anxious to explore
IN quest of ghostly visitors, and If the per-
mission of the owners can be procured
the seances will he held at once. Many
strange stories are related about the old
"Oct3gOn mansion,'' on Eighteenth street,
which has long been unoccupied except,
the neighbors say, by astral forms. The
committee of Spiritualists are very anx-
iOus to hold a candle-lisht session in this
old structure.
On First street southwest, near the Capl-
tOl Park. is another dwelling which is said
TO be tenanted by ghastly figures. and Mr..
Bggs Is trying TO secure permission to hold
communion with them some dark night in
the near future. The house in question was
occupied about ten years ago by 4 woman
from Virginia, who died suddenly, and
her body mysteriously disappeared. Sew
eral families who occupied the house since
claim they were compelled to move by the
constant rappings on the wall and awful
noises which pervaded the premises from
about / O'Clock every morning until day
light.
The committees list also contains the
number OF a time-sta ned old residence
on Caption Hill, not far from the Capitol,
which has long had the reputation of be-
ing haunted. Like the Others, 1t, too, is
unoccupied, except, Mr.. Biggs is informed,
by figures in flowing garments of white
which fit by the high windows after the
midnight hour attended by sickly- looking
blue flames. The boys in the neighborhood
have nicknamed this ancient structure 1.-The
whistling house, from the weird sounds
which proceed from its caves. somewha t like
the enlarged music from Aeolian harps,
whenever the wind is blowing moderately.
Superstitious people, however, claim that
the strange music is not natural, but is
produced by the spirits OF the departed
playing upon shostly musical instruments.
All this alleged phenomena will be inves-
tigated by the committee of spiritualists
wheneverthenecessary permissionisg granted
them by the owners OF the haunted houses.
Capt. Randall, a leader in this movement,
commanded Il company of men in Walkers
filibustering expedition to Nicaragua in
1856. Walker was beheaded by the Mica
raguans, and Capt Ran!s:ll with others were
captured, and came unpeasantly near to
losing their heads. He believes the spirits
that are said to manifest themselves in the
manner stated, can be induced to appear
before the committee and be interrogated.