Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1898-11-17

The Licking River ghost has been
out more during the summer of 1898
than for many years. While the terror
it once caused has been largely ex-
planned away, yet there are many peo-
pie who are still uncomfortable when
ii comes out, and newcomers here often
slend anxious nights when the phe-
nOmenon makes itself manifest
Away back In the sixties the part Of
GAINESVILLE known as the Terrace, be-
tween the Muskingum and the Licking,
was perturbed by ghostly occurrences.
Unusual noises were heard. Latches
ratified at the touch of unseen hands.
Windows shook uncannily. The first
and most natural theory was that a
colony of ghosts had invaded Zanes-
vile. But while this theory was ac-
ceptable to many, Others doubted. For
ghosts do not haunt in droves, and the
Terrace had never done anything wor-
thy of so general a visitation. The
supposed ghost flock came and went
1t by no means confined itself to noe
!
Servants declared they would not live
in the haunted houses. Many actually
left. Often there would be a period Of
immunity lasting for several months.
Then the latches would rattle, the
doors and windows shiver, and the gem
eral state of ghost activity would re-
sumo
People came from the other side of
the river and spent nights in the af-
tlicted houses. They always told the
same story. They always heard a very
persistent and creepy rattle which
seemed to affect every loose window
latch or ornament. The ghost colony
began to affect the price OF real estate
Houses which, could not be warranted
against unearthly noises seemed about
to enter on a career Of vacancy.
1t was all explained by the return of
a bride and bridegroom from their
honeymoon. OF course, they had been
to Niagara Falls, The bridegroom
took his bride to live in one of the
haunted houses. A few nights later
the house, in common with some twen-
ty-five more, was visited by the ghost.
The strange rattle began. It. never
seemed to stop. a window which shook
as if it We're in fear itself would be
stilled by the pressure OF palm, bur
the noise began again when the pres
sure was removed.
why" said the bride suddenly, her
face lighting, that window acts just
like the one in our hotel at Niagara
Falls
What of that? There are no falls
here, none to speak Of" said her hus-
band.
But if you'll think the thing over.
you'll remember these ghosts appeared
right after the billions put in their new
dam, she said.
Then he saw it, too. The theory was
eagerly grasped. Investigation showed
it to be the real explanation. A geolo-
gist confirmed it. The cause was
known, and the phenomenon to this
day is known as the Licking River
ghost.
The dam in the Licking River is just
at it's confluence with the Muskingum.
The famous old "Y" bridge which spans
both rivers is located there. A dam
had been built and the water fell upon
a ledge of limestone which ran through
the Terrace. When the water reaches
a certain height it sets the ledge in
vibration, which accounts for the
ghosts.
This summer the Licking River ghost
was often out, on account of the wet
weather. But in spite of the excellent
explanation many people still feel the
goosefesh rise when the windows and
doors begin their uncanny rattle.