The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-08-28
TRIPS TO GH0STLAND
HAUNTED HOUSES INVESTIGATED nY
loM6Roso.


rsycAic rhenomena which Proved
90 he beyond solution by Any OF
the Known Laws of Physical Sch
encc--A Pussled Physicist.
Professor Iombroso. the Italian phys
icist contributed to the Annales des
Sciences psychlques an account OF two
psychic phenomena which he invest-
gated purely in the interests of mate
rial science. The article Is entitled
Haunted Houses Which | Have Stud
led" and the professor confessed that
he set about his investigations with
nothing TO be desired In the complete
ness Of his skepticlsm,
The phenomena in question, how
ever, proved to be beyond solution BY
any known laws Of physical science,
Frankly, the great crlmlnologist ad-
mltted that for the first time In his
life he was in the presence OF the In
tangible and that he was worsted In
his attempt TO grapple with the unsub-
stantial
II was asked In November, 1900, to
investigate some strange occurrences
which had taken place Mt the house OF
Signor Pavarino by way Of Pescatori,
Turin. One phenomenon was asked
to explain was the mysterious over
turning Of cups and jugs, which were
precipitated to the ground BY some
unseen agency.
These occurrences were accompa-
MED by loud knockings on the walls
and the pulling Of bells In various
parts Of the house. The youngest
daughter was awakened on several oc-
easions by blows aimed at her BY some
unseen hand. and her body ON exami-
nation was found to be covered with
bruises. the result of severe pinchings.
Her sister, who slept in the same bed,
felt nothing and was not disturbed In
any way.
The clash Of rapiers was heard In
the house at another time, accompa-
MED by cries Of anger and groans OF
anguish. Lights were also seen pass
ing to and fro in unlighted rooms. An
Alpine hat was continually moving
about the room, and even when II was
deliberately nailed to chair an inyis-
ible hand precipitated 1t to the ground.
All these mysterious happenings went
on for eight months, and in regard to
them / took the evidence Of reliable
persons, who testified that they had
been eyewitnesses OF the phenomena.
Even when the bell ropes were removed
from the bells the tinkling continued
ut ali hours Of the day and night.
'aThe scene changed to house in the
next street. by way of Bava. adjoining
by way Of Pescatori, where the news
papers of Turin began to chronicle mys-
terious occurrences Of almost similar
nature to these which occurred In BY
way Of Pescatorl, cups and saucers,
pans and kettles being juggled about
by an unseen agency and causing at
the time most internal row.
In particular, one circumstance was
most noteworthy. In the cellar, filed
with full and empty bottles, much loss
to the proprietor was caused by the
smashing of the TASKS by some unseen
hand, but with every trace Of method
and willfulness in the way in which the
breakage occurred. On my entrance
into the cellar I lighted five candles.
thinking that a supernatural spirit
would avoid the light. On the con-
trary, l saw three empty bottles roll
about as if pushed by finger and
break close by me. made every pos
sible investigation to discover hidden
trick, but to no avail. Several bottles