The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-29
SPANISH SpoOK ROUTED.
MiJoR DAY NOW IN POSSESSION OF 4
HAUNTED CASTLE

Tho Ghost Made Himself Heard for Three
Nights Before He Gave Up His Plctur-
esque Home in Porto Rico to an Ameri-
cnn ohicer-An Ancient Torture Chamber
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico. Jan. 14.-Major O. 8.
Day OF the Fifth United States Artillery has
taken possession OF the haunted San Geron-
limo castle. lie has heard the.Spanish ghost.
and, 10 the utter establishment OF negro resi-
dents, driven him from the musty old walls.
But the spook did not retreat meekly. He
made three visits to the Major. driving a span
of horses across tho stone bridge and into the
yard on bright moonlight nights. and con-
WINGED him. at least. OF the truthtulness Of one
Spanish ghost story.
San Geronimo. a little one-story stone castle,
is situated on a picturesque headland OF the
north coast at the eastern end Of San Juan
Island. As early as the year 1900 the Span
iards saw the beauty Of the SPOT and built the
fret rude'walls, a summer home for the Cap
tain General. Year after year, as customrry
with all their forts and castles, they strength
ened the place until last October, when they
departed, they left the kitchen. living apart
ments and dungeon protected from the sea-
ward by n solid masonry wall. Hall a century
ago. in the fourishlng days OF Spanish rule.
San Geronimo saw some brilliant society. But
for more than thirty years past, according to
tradition, the walls have sheltered and protect
ed, except occasionally. only a solitary ghost.
The nearest %neiRhbors. the negroes in the
slab huts on the military road. say the spectre
was the returned spirit OF n political prisoner
tortured TO death in the dungeon cell. Their
story was proved true a few years ago, they
thought. by the mysterious death Of a tempo
rary -" or. Yet, Notwithstanding the pres-
ence u oh a ghost, when war came with the
United States the Spanish artillerymen placed
six big guns IN position on top OF the castle
walls in order to help sink Yankee men-of-
war. Two unmounted gun carriages were
found by our troops on Oct. 1S. 1893.
On n tour OF inspection of the old Spanish
forts and breastworks in San Juan last Octo-
Der. Major Day noticed the picturesque site OF
San Geronimo and wondered why so pretty q
little castle should have been deserted. He
found the walls. although q century old. in good
condition, one solid piece Of masonry. On fur
Their examination lie saw that. by the help Of
few workmen, the damp, musty interior could
be made into one OF the most beautiful DWELL
ings on the island. Accordingly the Major.
not having heard OF the ghost. decided. II pos
sible. to get permission from Gen. John r.
Brooke. then in command. to occupy and re-
pair the castle. But at first the Major met
with a little delay, for the General. having
heard the ghost story. naturally did not want
to have his efficient artillery officer encounter.
unnecessarily. a dangerous spook.
I'VE can hardly spare YOU from here just
now" said Gen. Brooke. apparently in earnest.
but the Major persisted.
Nor can We ahord to lose YOU" continued
me General, VIII a twthh6Is in MS eye: rememt
saving not a word about a ghost.
MAJOR Day. nevertheless. after another APP
%castice. For his sleeping npairtment he chose
a, room IN the temporary second story wooden
shed which overlooked the backyard. the
stone bridge and the shore toward the capital.
His bed stood nearly directly above the dun
Geon and torture cell on the ground floor
ghost, he, OF course. did not feel superstitious.
He had selected the second story room merely
in order TO keep an eye on the stone bridge
Ma5or Day spent his first night in the cas-
evening he sat on the stone breastwork en-
loving the.cool sea. breeze and then went to his
land Hardly had he closed his eyelids in
sleep before he heard a span OF horses on the
ny time for visitors and got up to meet his call
ers. But when. he looked out OF the window
n n9 oceIn sge ee natnr R1r"e nn nor G'f bi9 ios su an
though his ears. carefully trained to hear the
%Iaiptest noise Of the enemy, on the one hand.
on, the other, his eyes. which sighted Finch
rifles Gios precisely r On the masts Of Eattleshlps
man. Therefore the artillery ofic5r won
dored. if he was awake. He plnched an arm.
night. In the morning he decided to keen his
experience a secret, but. II the opportunity
next time for his mysterious 7isitors.
on the second night IN San Geronimo castle
usual hour, but. lying on his cot wide awake.
listened lntcntiy for any unusual noise. Be-
same honr as On the n u i nIGht. he detect,
ed the faint rattle of n team on the Highway.
s s%pil E %f IGr @psGes Sn the the 'I bPideeF c He pla IN q
heard their hoofs strike the stone pavement.
Fn9ter and faster came the team, seemingly
into the yacd. Sure Of his visitors. the Major
could wait no longer, but, Swinging from his
hRh hFp nnnI tho IlinNG and nnAFfn1 int
yard. shouted in slpani.h "%fiieli i But he GOT
n 70 reply Nor could /" zoe horse or man.
denly and mysteriously as II they had driven
riEht through the solid castle walls into the
ward. Yet in the bright moonlight, strong
enough TO make newspaper print readable, he
tho Instant he threw .open the blinds. more
over. the Major heard only the line Of break
on the third and last night. when the span
OF horses seemed 10 come across thu castle
t RhfraEe' oS MmiT the p1 TIis sGdFas stilf 20 o t1ic e wrna f6an f tbe
might before. He went SO fast. in fact. that he
forgot to srG3k in Spanish, But his team had
The horses came across the bridge only
70 fHF SUS corrcsno9dent. On the fourth
day: when, my native lab9rers and carpenters
peaT.. Nor has he troubled me since. Butt
certainly heard !, a sonan Of horses come across
ment. esnecially those of the native horses.
My, native, wGrkmen. by mistake. spoiled
one OF the best relics | found in San Geronimo.
an Cd Spanish dungeon. Hidden from every
ray. Of sunlight, the cell also had a. collection
of Instruments OF torture. ] told the natives
to whitcwash the walls and make a skylight,
but a few days later ! found they had cleaned
out every lion hook and ring and chain. These
things. of course. would have been quite a
little curiosity 10 Americans.
Another interesting thing ! found was Q
mysterious hole bored In the solid wall. On
the floor of the same room We're n big drill and
u pile OF fresh sand and stone. which showed
that the hole had Oecn made only n few days
previous 70, the, day the Americans took pos
session Of the island. Nothing was in the cav
which extended fully fifteen feet toward
Ne front brcgstwoIks. But am inclined to
iinI any rowdcT. Now / would not saw The
Spaniarls intended 10 blow up the wall with .
time fuse. but certainly think the hole looked
susuicious."
Now. ms the ghost has gone. Major Day Is
completely satisfied with his little corner OF
paradise. For comfort he has built what his
lrIonds emil a tin. rnnfed Ynnkea harn on tnp