The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-04-24
THE HAUNTED RED HOUSE.
The Prank Of Ksschlevous Boys.


log bits Of local history w.itten by
DR.. Maurice Moore anu flrst publish
ed in the Enquirer Of 1870. In its
last issue is an excellent ghost story,
which will be enjoyed by our readers,
even il they arc not acquainted with
the local surroundings:
There still stands on the GROSS street
| in iorkville. opposite the residence
Of the late Colonel Witherspoon, aud
at present occupied by Mr. Whit, q
house built by John Mcknight, car
penter, aud known in my days as "the
red house.
Mcknight sold the house in few
years and moved to Florida It pass
ed from one hand TO another-fre-
quently changing hands. 1t bore an
ill name. Strange and unasountable
noises had been heard in it. It was
said to be haunted house, and. there
fore, was often without tenant.
a man named Abernatha, from
Charleston, sailor previously, moved
upto Yorkvi.le, bringing with him
some trunks OF dry goods ON speoula
tion. Herented the "red house" and
in one Of the lower rooms laid the
goods out ON long table, in default
Of counter, ready for inspection aud
sale. Himself, wife end his mother,
occupied apartments upstairs. They
soon told Of being awakened at. night
By the sound of crush. like the gnod o
failing Of the table. As soon as they
could get candle lighted they hur-
.ried down stairs No one could be
found. The table, though. was over
turned, aud the goods all lying on the
floor. On examining them not piece
was gone, and nothing else they could
discover appeared to be disturbed.
Looking to bolts aud bars With redou.
bled vigilance, they set the table up
as they were before Eardly retired
to their beds until they heard the
same sounds Of crush. On going
downs it was reputation Of the 6rst
disturbance. Table overturned---goods
on the foor-but not the rapping of o
fioger to be missed. This, Abernathy,
his wife and mother, all solemnly
affirmed, happened night after night.
They also heard, they said, strange
rappiugs in different parts of the house
for which they could find no cause,
nor in any way explain. The reputa-
tion Of the house-confirmed in his
mind by those mysterious occur
rences-determined Abernathy to
move his family, as soon as he could
get another house to go in, firmly be-
lieying this one to be haunted house.
For long time "the red house,
was without an occupant, and had con-
sequently fallen much out Of repair.
1t had got into DR.. Crenshaw's hands,
l think, when an opportunity of rent
ing it, If in better state, induced
him to have it fzed up. Alternately
had moved into the country; but,
being a tack of all trades,' DR.. Creu-
shay got him to take the job. Of glaz-
ing it, the windows being nearly guilt
less of glass, there being scarcely q
pane to the sash.
| Abernathy came to town and xeut
to work quite readily, for in daytime
he did not mind being in the haunted
house. One evening. having been
drinking good deal during the asy,
he laid down before the Gre he usually
kept up in one of the freplaces when
he was at work, and fell asleep. BE
did not awaken until next morning,
and then was proud beyond measure at
the accident, boasting that he had
stayed all night, alone, in the haunted
house.
Alternately, in his elation, began to
banter me for bet that he would
spend night alone in the haunted
house, l, of course caring nothing
about the matter. declined. For q
a day or two, every time we came 10 con-
tact, he would again propose and in
sist on it. At length, becoming an.
noyed by his pertinacity, Ide' ermined
on some fun at his expense, and
agreed to make the bet with him on
certain conditions. He was 30 eager
for the wager, he subscribed to any
thing to get it up. The stake, by his
own choice, was fine hat, and a con
dition Of the bet was that after he
once laid down that he was not to rise
| IF he did 30 on any account he lost.
After supper. armed wish his tec!s
and a bottle OF whiskey, he went into
the haunted house, He worked