The Washington herald., 1907-09-14
NO SPOOKS IN HOUSE
Curious Crowds Now Greatly
Disturb NeighbOrhOOd.
SPIRITS" TAKE i VACATION
FaH To Repeat Disturbance, Al
though Tenants Take Leave as
Why They became ObstFeperOus
and How to Get Rid of Them.

No more "ghostly' noises have disturbed
residents out Fifteenth street northwest
in the last two days, but that once quiet
neighborhood has been transformed into
very much frequeuted one since the
story Of the experiences of Mrs. Clara
DowIng and her TWO daughters, who
became SO frightened 10y disturbances.
imaginary or real. that they sought the
protection of the police
Last night the police were asked TO
prevent the gathering of crowds about
the place, and Sergt. Carter. in charge
1T headquarters, promised TO send officers
20 the scene
True 10 her determination. Airs. Bowling
and her small family moved on Thursday
10 another part Of the city. unwilling
longer 70 remain IN a house which they
declared 70 be haunted. But Thursday
and yesterday the alleged resort Of the
disembodied spirits came in for much
more attention than was agreeable 10
other and harder residents Of the neigh
borhood.
All day passers-by stopped to gaze at
the empty residence ana exchange more
OF less skeptca comments on the story
OF the DJwIiugs' short sojoUrn there. The
complexion Of the remarks seemed 10
depend largely upon that Of the speaker.
Not few negroes take daily strous
10y the house, usually on the Tar side OF
the street. but almost as many white per
sons may be seen at almost any hour,
standing around, apparently anxious TO
see OF hear some of the peculiar sights
and sounds described by the late tenants.
Crowd Around House.
Thursday night fully 80 persons were
standing around the house az 10 o'clock.
and at o'clock yesterday morning this
number had dwindled 20 one letter car
rier. one sleepy youth who was fond Of
telling stories, and policeman. Late
last night the ghosts had lost no in
terest for as many as 100 lalers, and
residents complained bitterly.
The four persons who remained I'm the
house Wednesday evening. after Mrs.
Dowling had declined 10 sleep there an
other night. We're disappointed in their
expressed desire 10 see a real live-or
dead-'ha'ut" Mrs. Anderson, the elder
daughter of Mrs. Bowling. and her ell
DERBY woman friend retired shortly after
midnight. but the two men friends who
had volunteered to brave the alleged ter
rors of the house sat-up smoking, chat
ting, and hoping for experiences until 6
a. I'D. Thursday. They could not imagine
why the ghosts" did not show up until
officer Wade. c0l0red. came around 10
end out If all were well. Then it was gX-
planned. Wade declared, with the assur-
auCe Of an authority on the supernatural
that no "glOs'cs' could be persuaded L.
put I'm an appearance, either visual or
auditory, while a semblance Of Hiumina-
tiou remained about the "ha'nted" prem
ises. The less informed white men had
been sitting in the front room Of an upper
story with both the gas and their cigars
turned high up. although both of them
disclaimed any desire for the company Of
the light arising from the expected visit
of the spirits.
Recipe for "Layin' Ha'uts."
Wade. the well-inforned preserver Of
the peace. also volunteered an explana-
tIon Of the alleged visitation Of the i'm
material one
If dat lady died in dat house." lac ex-
plained. "Ah specs de reason why she
posters dem po' ladies' IS dat she don
wan no stranguhs in de house. De
prop'ty, All heah, was lef' toe huh sons.
an All reckon she 'spicions dev's tryin'
TO get hit away from dem two boys.
But you-an kin lay dat sperrit ef yo'
wan toe" he went on, while the two
auditors listened as to an oracle. An
you-alI got toe do is toe fetch a priest
hyeh an let him bless de house. Dat
house shore is wrong, dJy amt no two
ways about hit; hit shore is wrong. d"
And the intrepid guardian Of the peace
took a critical look at the subject Of his
discourse An de chooses kin have it
70 all o. me-" he concluded. DE. yuther
side Oh de street bIOngs toe me. ~Ah amt
afeard o. nOthin' All kin see toe shoot at,
but yo cyain't do nothin' with chose
Dey's jes boun' toe hab dey own way.
an 70 all O me, dey kin hab it."
And bidding the "gemmen" goodnight.
the d7untless "watchman Of the night"
took his leave, carefully selecting the
other side Of the street as he made his
way toward the nearest patrol box to re-
port 10 the lieutenant that he was on his
post and awake His furtive gIances. to
the rear betokened, indeed, that he was
wide awake 10 the supposed proximity Of
the chooses
The neighbOThOOd naturally has been
much disturbed by the crowds. and the
police were called upon to keep the street
clear. There is nothing to be seen. day
or night. and lettering in the vicinity