The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-14
A SPIRIT-HAUNTED PLACE
Unc lnny Traditions Concerning an
Old Capitol Hill Mansion.
The Ghost of n Woman That Is Said
to Have Driven All Tenants Away.
Now an Abandoned Habitation-A
Former Occupants Strange story.

There is certain house in this city
which is the subject of much interest to
Spiritualists The members of this cult
in Washington are more numerous than
many who have not investigated the sub
tect would suppose, nor do they consist
entirely of designing persons and their
credulous dupes.
Indeed, while by far the larger number
of so-called spiritual mediums may safe
~ be pronounced fakes" and their dis
ciples, to say the least. very gullible in
dividuals. Their. are others on whom II
is not so easy to pronounce judgment.
Many of the leading people here, who
have given some attention TO the matter,
will agree that they have witnessed things
so extraordinary, so unaccountable, as
either to fool the senses OF set at naught
the power of reason. To return, however,
To the house in question, and the strange
facts connected with II.
In the Southeast section of the city
on a southwest corner stands a man
sion. which, albeit kept in a very
tolerable state of repair, shows EVIL
dent signs of having received none of
that unmistakable attention and care
which can only be bestowed by an occu-
pant. But the greatest neglect is appa-
from a side, being slightly elevated
from the narrow strip of parking which
separates it from the sidewalk, and sur
rounded only by an iron railing, eaten by
rust, and standing only in disjointed sec
fions This garden IS overgrown with
weeds and tangled brambles and presents
a truly dismal appearance which is fur
Their enhanced by a dilapidated stable in
the rear. A conservatory abuts on this
garden, but the glass discloses no dainty
flowers or well-kept plants and so only
add to the general dreariness Of effect.
The small cellar windows are almost
rhoked with the rank overgrowth of grass
and weeds.
The house itself is a plain, old-fashioa-
ed brick structure, and has lately been
painted a staring yellow. Victor Hugo.
that wonderful physiognomist Of the in
animate, was wont to read the express
ions OF houses as ne did those of men.
One wonders what he would have made
out Of this strengthening abode which
IS vacant. and which seems not made to
be occupied; which looks with its CHASTITY
stare, upon the beautiful grounds of the
Capitol opposite, now budding with the
delicate green OF spring, and contrasting
the responsiveness of the mansion with
nnained long in the house although it has
been yariously occupied. The Red Cross
Society after having an Office there for
"a few wekes. moved away some six
months ago. This was the last tenant the
house has had.
There is a lady, at present living in this
city who. about twenty years ago, resided
with her parents Ia the now abandoned
house on Capitol Hill AS a Times re-
porter understood that she had very
remarkable experience therein, he visited
her, not as a representative of the press,
but as one interested in the phenomena of
spiritualism, and eager to increase his
store of knowledge in that direction.
With remarkable quickness, however the
lady OWNED the visitors profession. This.
however, did not deter her in the recital
OF her story, which was, substantially, as
follows:
Il fear there is something so grotesdue
in what am about TO tell you as to make
1t appear almost ludicrous: however,
can only assure you that that was not
the way IL appealed to me at the time,
and doubt II have ever recovered from
the shock i received In that horrible
house.
We'll, my father used to keep store
there and. although persons in the neigh
boThood warned him, especially in refer
ence TO me. against taking the place, he
paid no heed TO what he regarded mere
idle gossip. ! ought. perhaps. TO here ex-
plain the phrase in reference TO me. The
fact is, the malignant spirit, or. at least.
one of the two which were supposed 10
haunt the house. was said to be that of a
man who had been murdered by a young
woman, and who, In the spirit form, cher
ished an intense hatred toward those OF
the same sex and age as his slayer. The
murder was committed. IL was stated. in
the cellar of the house. Certainly, we, none
of us, ever went down into that dreadful
place after the first time. 1t was so dark