The San Francisco call., 1896-11-13
The GHOST BARS
CARD-PLAYING
Weird Stories Told by the
Residents of an Ala
media Home.
Bell.Ringing and Knocking Con.
tinue While Whist Is
Played.
THE SCENE OF a SUICIDE
Recorder st. Sure Refused an Invita-.
tion to Hear the Uncanny
Visitor.
THE SCENE OF A SUICIDE

ALAMEDA, CAL, Nov. 12.-The house
at 1853 Park avenue is said to be haunted,
and the wrath, or whatever it is that is
responsible for the uncanny noises, only
appears when the occupants of the house
are playing cards.
Mr. and Mrs. Broderick, c. II. Paxton
and E. II. Nauman all bear testimony to
the strange circumstances that have led
them to swear off playing cards.
Mr.. and Mrs. Alfonso Green formerly
owned and lived in the place. She was of
a religious turn of mind and abhorred
cards. Her husband and niece often en-
loyed a quiet game. She could not pre-
vent this deilement of her home. Other
things led to more trouble, and finally she
took dose OF poison ABOUT i've years ago
and ended her life. She died in the hall
way, saying that she was one too many
Tor the nome.
Green moved to Oakland and killed
himself a year later and lett the property
to the two children, He.en and Bert
Green. The latter has just come into lhe
property by reaching his majority.
The house has had many tenants, but
none stayed in it long. 1t got the name
of being haunted, but nothing definite
was known until Mr.. and Mrs. Broder!ck
until they gave card party. Early the
next moTn1ng the doorbell raug. On
being answered no one was in sight. This
caused some talk, but not until the follow
ing week was anything serious thought of
IL. Another whist game was played, and
about 10 O'Clock, when the game was
nearly completed, KNOCKS as OF knuckles
upon the SWIM nelng-doors between the
dInlng-room and kitchen were heard
Upon investigation no one could be
found. The whole party heard it. and
were somewhat starIled TO find no one in
the kitchen. While talking aoout it the
knocking was repeated. 1t continued for
some minutes. All were badly frightened
and the game was discontinued. Tnen
the electric door5eu began TO ring. II
was long ring, S IL some one was mold
ing the button. All efforts to locate tue
cause proved iruitIess.
a week later another party was ar
ranged and all arrangements were made
10 catch any one fooling around TIE house.
Thr basement was securely locked. After
the game had progressed some time the
knocking and ringing began. The young
men named ran out and called loudly for
: heip p and looked around, out saw no one
Even while standing by the De.l it kept
ringing. They resumed tie game, when
the noises were repeated, with loud moan
1ngs. This was enough for one night and
they dis banded.
a fourth night was selected and Re-
corder 81. Sure and others were invited.
All were present but the Recorder, who
had no desire 10 investigate About IL
O'Clock the performance was repeated.
This was the nnal warning and no card s
have been played there since. Although
they often have party in the house no
disturbances have been known exec DIT
when. cards were played. Mr. and Mrs.
Broderlck are both young people.
I'VE don't play cards now" she said in
answer TO question to-day, "Dut we cid
until We were scared out of it. l am not
at all afraid, but as have to be here alone
good deal l don't want such uncanny
things 10 think Of 1t IS strange, and we
have done everything in our power to
fathom 1t, but We are as much in the dark
to-day as we were the first time it hap
pened. Mr.. Paxton and Mr.. Nauman
were living in the house at the time, but
both have gone now. I guess we'll leave
cards alone, anyhow"