The sun., 1898-04-10
MANSION AND OWNER.
Peculiarities of the Riddle Property
The Former Owner Was Distin-
Suished.


There is much talk in this city to the
effect that the old Riddle property is
haunted.
The property stands at the southeast
conner of Eleventh and King streets and
runs back to French street.
There is no one living in it, and it was
said that if anybody would offer to re-
side there and keepthe house in good re-
pair rent would not be charged.
A family moved in it during the
eighties. One of their number, Samuel
Otis, who was hired as a gardener went
in the cellar one afternoon and has never
been seen since, and it was supposed
that some mysterious death overlook
him.
The h use is in bad need of repairs
and makes it look very gloomy from the
outside.
There is long garden which at one
time, when the Sweedes occupied Della
ware, was one OF their principal bury
ing grounds and some Of the old tomb,
stones are still there; also large vault
which is near the kitchen. 1t contained
large number of bones some years ago
but Mr.. Riddle had them removed and
several of the large tombs. Some people
who live in that neighborhood have said
they have seen ghosts dancing on the
vault at midnight.
Mr.. Riddle was born in New Castle
and came to this city some years later,
at which time he erected his mansion.
lie was born in 1917 and was gradu-
ate Of Delaware College, at Newark.
After lis schooldays he studied engineer.
ing, beg engagaged for many years in
| locating and constructing railroads and
canals Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary
land anu Virginia, the last of which was
the great work at Harper's Ferry. He
aftcrwa {, gaining considerable sum OF
money studird law and was admitted to
the ha S4S, being 81 years of age.
! He &c ,en 1ular and was appointed
De y 'tc ney-General and served at
his Js.. N with great credit for two
yeai. II 1880 Hon. George r. Riddle
vase :."h &c the Thirty-third Congress,
servil OF the committee on Roads and
Cana
He as made chairman of the Com
mittee Of Engraving and served in the
same os 'on upon special committee
on the II avian guano question.
In lS4J he was appointed by the gov
ernOr Of t.Ie State commissioner on the
part of delaware to retrace the celebrated
Mason ard DixOn's line, the report of
which was printed by the Legislatures
of PENNSYLVANIA, Delaware and Mary
land, in 1850 He was also delegate to
the Democratic National Conventions Of
1s44-4S and 1886.
In 1864 he was elected United States
Senator from Delaware and served in Con-
gress for the term ending in 1863.
District Of Columbia private land claims,
manufactures and printing. After
serving his senatorship he settled down
in his home at Eleventh and King streets,
where he died some years later.
There have been several OF who would
venture at nights as far as the fence of
the Riddle Mansion, but somehow they
wouldn't 90 as far as the entrance of the
vault, which is eight feet deep and made
Of stone and mortar.
A very peculiar smell emanates from
the vault which the watchman says
makes him sick.
He would not venture to the bottom
of the vault on account OF an under
ground passage which leads to the rear
end OF the house and is very gloomy
and damp passage way as light has
never been seen in it since the death Of
Mr.. Riddle.
The watchman will not stay there at
night nor neither will he venture back to
the vault.