The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-07-06
DECLARES HOUSE
TO Be HAUNTED
RIG HIM d. vA.-spect

II y II NJ y n ID, VA.-Special.-
mere stands on Decatur Street. near
sixth not stones throw from the
southern banks Of the James, a three
story and attic, gable-roofed structure
until recently used as a dwelling
when Is declared to be haunted. The
mouse IN question is a familiar sight
TO probably every resident of the
oouthslde' although its exact age
ana 1t is said to have been erected
more than 100 years ago-is seem
ingly known TO no one.
II was built at a period further re-
moved than the memory Of the oldest
inhabitant of erstwhile Manchester
was put up shortly after the Revolu-
tlonary War; others say that il saw
lts palmlest days early in the eigh-
teenth century. Practically everyone
is agreed that the time-worn, wind and
rain SCARED domicile of other davs is
as old as the city of Manchester.
The building was condemned nv
Bulldlng Inspector Henry =. Beck soon
after the consolidation of Richmond
and its whilom sister city, Manches-
ter and shortly thereafter a family
Of the name of Brooks. which had
made its home therein FOR the past
twenty or thirty years. moved out.
since then the structure has been
gradually going into decay; in truth IL
was in this condition for sometime pre-
Vlous to its abandonment by its last
tenants.
There is a story which was recalled
today when the report that the house
was haunted became current. that the
hrst owner thereof met an untimelv
end in the same house years ago
S the exact year could not be recalled
by those who remembered the tragedy.
me victim, DR.. Philip Williamson.
was murdered in cold blood. struck
uoWh IN the dark by a hidden assassin
and the house looted.
me physician was an eccentric
nachelor and devoted his life to a
series OF inventions. in which he was
deeply absorbed, but which never
amounted to anything, as far as could
be learned today. The student of med
lcine was noted as a chemist and MANY
or his experiments were along this
line.
DR.. Williamson was seldom seen TO
leave his home. but often would van
Ish, and his whereabouts would be
unknown until he would again be seen
Zealously at his work. This work was
carefully guarded and no one was LET
into the secrets thereof. This extra
ordinary character never visited his
ShDorS, and he made it plain that
ne ala not care to be disturbed 1t
was never known whether he had kin
IN TINS part of the country; certainly
there were none who claimed rela-
Ills murder ever remained a mys-
terry, although there were those who
were inclined to the belief that the
aged man took his own life. The
matter was thoroughly investigated by
the constabulary of the city at the
time, but not a clew was found that
would help to unravel the mystery.
According to reports which have
been drifting into the Third Police
station for several nights past-the
climax Of which was reached last
night, or early this morning. rather
the murder Of DR.. Williamson is be-
ing nightly re-enacted in the house
Of mystery.
At first reports Of an indefinite ma
ture which reached the ears of the
police were given little credence. and
it was left to John RansdelI, q repu-
table colored citizen who lives in the
neighborhood, to precipitate an inves-
tigatiOn.
Ransdell rushed hatIess and breath
less into the police station, at Four
teenth and Stockton Streets, shortly
after midnight his morning and de-
mitted in the house. His manner was
so positive that ne had no trouble in
convincing the police of his sincerity
and Policeman Westcott was sent post
haste to the scene Of the supposed
Upon approaching the house nothing
unusual was to be seen by the officer;
no sign OF life was to be observed and
swear upon a stack OF Bibles he saw
In a room on the third floor, had dis
appeared. Policeman Westcott visited
every room in the house, but his search
N,Ehtiy. at about midni1ht. Il In.