The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-08-13

KANSAS CITY. Mo-, Ang. l5-ln
the quaint town of Memphis Mo-,
town of many hills and fine cid fash
toned houses surrounded by Immense
lawns, there is one nil which stands
out from all the rest. It is surmounted
by large. solemn structure, with tow /
ers, parapets, wings and an nncanny
history
Locally the big solemn building is
called THE Castle III the days agons |
| it was known as the ''SLiri. Castle.
and the elevation on which it rests
was Spirit HILL
The story of spirit Castle is tie
story of young clerk. an unlettered
youth of quiet, negative disposition.
but of religious tendencies. the son Of
the village blacksmith, Harvey Mott
by name.
| For fifteen gears that tame was
| known from ocean 10 ocean III THIS
country and Europe. It Is said that
| five thousand pilsr'rs annually visit
ed Memphis 70 have Harvey raise
their dead kindred and friends. That
the pilgrimages lasted SO long. with
ever increasing proportloEs. produced
apparitions Of satisfying nature.
The odd thing ab,nt it WAS that
Mott himself was terrified at the
sight of ghost. He shrieke1 III fright
when the shades first flockcd about
him, and would run to a neghbor's
house for protection. He did this
many times in the dead of night,
looking over his shoulder and gasp
ing.
They're after me again!"
4 Mott at one time clerked for Hor-
ace Pitkin, believer in spirit COM
munication. Pitkin told the clerk
that If the dead had selected him as
their go-between with the living 1t
was his duty to submit, But Mott
for a long while protested bitterly;
he did not want to have anything
to do with the dead.
Sometimes he would walk to the
front of the store, hesitate and look
confused.
There was someone here" he said;
II thought it was customer"
Spirits on His Trail.
The believers will tell you that in
) the days of Mott there were curious
; happenings in and about the castle
on the great hill. If Mr.. Mott happened
to be away the shades haunting him,
uneasy, restless, gliding softly through
the tall trees and shrubbery, over the
velvet carpet of the lawn, searching
everywhere, were seen; then Mot
would come ard the disturbance
would cease. The furniture calm
, down and the peremptory knocking
:. stop.
Mott was deacon in the Christian
!, church, of good standing until he be
gan associating with the departed
ones. Then the elders came to hin
9 and told him quietly but firmly tina
, he would have to choose that da.
q whom he would serve.
i you people come and sit UP Will
Il me tonight" said Mott land if yol
. can prevail on 'em to let me alon
I'll be the happiest man alive
The proposition was not accepted
4. Mott was communicated.
10 Memphis was astounded at tn
Is strength of Motifs following from ia
T. off states. Every train brought 1
If delegations to see the ghosts wal
r and talk. 1t was such a fine thing TO
hotels boarding houses and bushes
generally that no official objectio
~ was raised against Motifs practic,
e. The people at nome-save very fe'
at took no stock in him, but they wer
,e willing to make the stay of the 70
to eign guests pleasant for the usu;
- consideration.
- When Franklin Pierce of Nc
Hampshire was making his canvas
for the presidency in 1862. his SO
died. A man from the New Englan
ne states visited Memphis to see his d
IN parted daughter. Mott not only pr
lie duced the daughter, but in the fat
sh er's presence solemnized her marrias
to to the dead son of President Pierc
et 1t is said the wedding was large
re attended by illustrious visitors. tt
ks fame of the master of ceremonies
~. spread around the world His pc
re Torrance had opened up an unheal
1t Of avenue OF speculation. Lette
an came from everywhere, inquiries
by officials concerning this man Mott
he was he monumental faker or we
lat these things SO?
he 1t may be remarked incidental
ir- that now, after the lapse of qua
MS. ter of century, the same questi'
lin mark surrounds Motifs operatio
nd there.
VS.
APP Spooks Were His Messengers.
nd "Of course he was fake said
but hard-headed lawyer who lived the
the at the time, but he did some thin
ain that was past explaining. The may
in OF large Illinois town came here G
is day and that night he sought Nc
is "'Mr. Mott he said, half the peol
tile think you're nothing but humb'
he | came here to satisfy myself. / WE
eri- tesla sign
net "'Name IT. said Mott