The National tribune., 1901-06-06
FACING THE
SUPERNATURAL.
Experiences of a New York De-
tective in His Search for Ghosts.
BY Col. JOHN R. MUSICK.

at once / was then engaged Ill the buSl
ness of a private detective IN New 1ori
City, and from the Hone of Mr.. Plum
mer's summons. which amounted almos
to a demand, l knew that it was matte
of more than ordinary consequence.
Mr. Plummer was Il wealthy man Wn'
had large sums invested i'll real estate II
various towns in the country, among other
at Newport. The property at Newpor
consisted of a row of brick residences, tn
rent of which yielded him quite hand
some income. -,
rem" he said on my entering his office. -
You wanted to see me, Mr.. Plummer
Yes: here is letter from my agen,
In regard to the Newport property.
will tell the story
He handed me the letter, which was
very brief, and yet business-llke. 1t sald
"Simons moved out of 4O6 last Week
md the houses adjoining will be vacated
TODAY. 1t seems impossible to secure ten
ants for the block, and greatly fear that
all will soon be vacated, If the sights aho
sounds continue.
Henry ]. Jones, Agent
| laid the letter on his desk, and giving
him an inquiring glance asked:
What does he mean by sights ahu
sounds?"
Sure enough: l had forgotten TO eX'
plain. The central house of the row is
haunted, and from it the ghosts seem to
fit to every other building in the block.
'Haunted"' l gasped.
"Yes. sir: genuine or sham spooks, gen
uine or frauds; they are playing the deuce
with my property. They, have taken up
their abode in my block
smiled: could not help it.
"You need not smile" he said in serl-
Gus tone BE those spooks genuine or or
frauds, they have frightened the people
SO that it is almost impossible to get any
one to take one of the houses"
What do you mean to do-caPture the
spooks?"
Yes: / want to go to the bottom of this
cose. and ascertain the cause or causes
of those extraordinary sights and sounds.
'"rhen You don't think they come from
any supernatural causeF :.
!'No: | don't believe in ghosts. Yet, il
this is some devils work of some one, II
Is certainly most extraordinary.
"'What course am l to pursueE
"Work it YOUR own way. All l require
is for you To go to Newport and take your
own course in the matter, just so you clear
up this mystery and give my tenants some
rest from this annoyance"
/ took the names of the occupants of
the houses and numbers of the buildings
and set out for Newport. l reached the
town about noon, and went to the agent,
Mr.. Jones.
"What is the trouble with the Plummer
Block?" / asked, after / had introduced
myself and shown him my letter from MI
Plummer.
Turning his white face toward me, he
gave me look which L shall never forget,
and in voice that trembled with dread
he answered:
Heaven only knows; don't. 1t seems
to be haunted"
: Have you seen any of the ghosts?"
= "No: heard the groans, and they were
enough for me. These strange apparuons
appear each Friday night"
Sincerity was stamped on the mans fea-
tures and | suppressed my first inciIna-
tion to laugh. and asked him to give me
the generally reputed conduct of these sup
posed specters.
"Are the specters seen or heard on any
other nisht?'
mo: they never made their appearance
at any other time. First. there is the
sound of groans. then the fall of a body, in
the cellar of 406. These are loud enough
to be heard all over the building and to the
buildings beyond. Then come the shrieks
of a female pleading for mercy. few
moments later the jingling of chains, L
am told, is heard, and then the whlrrlng
of wings. The cellar is filled with
strange light, and tall, white-haired old
man with bald head appears. He walks
along the west wall, and wrings his hands
as if in agony. There is CHASTITY wound
on his breast, from which the blood flows.
He comes to the center Of the apartment
and kneels as if in prayer.
"Then q beautiful young woman enters
on the scene and goes through a pantO-
mime, begging for mercy. The old man
goes off into the shadows and drags from
what seems to be hedge, closet, or cellar,
a young man, at sight Of whom the young
faiufc ~ alfaroo fiaD hptwppn
the old man and the young man ensues.
The old man at last plunges knife into
the heart of the young lover, and then
bending over the insensible girl, Stays her
and takes his own life"
! listened TO this wonderful story with
no little perplexity, but it was by no means
oyerdrawn, as | afterwards learned. l
glanced at my watch and saw that it was
2 p. m. There was plenty Of time to ex-
anime the building before night, so
asked Jones to accompany me TO the Plum
mer Block. This was Friday, and that
very night the ghosts would walk; so /
determined to witness the promenade.
The Plummer Block was a row of
tbree-story brick residences with cellars
and easements They were not elegant,
but good, substantial buildings, suitable
for the middle classes. Occupying a ia
yored position in the city, they had until
recently commanded the very best rent;
but now, owing to their being haunted,
tenants for the buildings could not be
found.
We entered 406, which was empty, Mr.
Simons having just moved out. Our
footsteps made hollow echo on the floors
and corridors, as we tramped through the
building, which seemed ghOstly enough
We entered the basement and then the
cellar below. The walls were smooth and
white, showing no indications of trap
door or contriyance. ! examined the floor
with great care, and then the ceiling, but
there was no apparent chance for any sort
OF trickery anywhere.
There was nothing in the cellar save
a coal hod, shovel, a gOods-box. and a
broken chair. / specially looked for
chains, balls, or any other ghostforming
paraphernalia.
We'll what do you think of the house
now" asked Mr.. Jones.
1T seems comfortable" ] answered.
Jones's teeth seemed to almost chatter
as he gasped:
But the EhOstsT'
81 see none"
You will see them If you stay here from
10 until dawn"
II shall certainly be on hand,' l de-
clared in a nOnchalant, off-hand manner.
Jones looked as if he despised my sang
froid, and we went out. "Have the ghosts
appeared in any other buildings of this
block?" / asked
They have been heard in every build
ing, and are growing more and more an
noying every day." he answered "I ex-
pect them to be seen in every building at