— her again, and after the day had dawned I fell asleep.
Before telling my story to anyone, and dreading unspeakably all the doubting and sarcastic speeches which such a narration would inevitably call forth, I sent for my doctor, an old and trusted friend, and after making him talk rationally to me for some time, I asked him whether he considered me in an exalted state, or whether I had ever betrayed any hysterical tendencies. He reassured me heartily on these points, and then asked my reasons for such questionings. I thereupon opened my heart to him, and he neither ridiculed nor disbelieved, but, on the contrary, told me another case of the same kind which had lately happened to a friend of his; but he strongly advised me to keep my own council at present (which I did for some time), and kindly added that he did not look upon me as a lunatic, but simply as a woman for whom one corner of the curtain which guarded the unseen had been lifted.
In conclusion, I repeat I am ready to vouch for the truth of every word here set down, and also, should it be required, to give names — in private — to satisfy those who doubt.
Creaky floorboards, phantom footsteps, locked doors, rusty skeleton keys, fusty attics, dank cellars, curtains that billow in the breeze, thunder and lightning, moans and groans! Everyone who has ever been to the movies or watched television has, vicariously, entered a haunted house — and then tried to get out! Then the fun begins. The scary stuff!
In this section moviegoers and television watchers will be able to read some stories of old-fashioned houses haunted by some old-fashioned ghosts and spirits.
Halifax Daily Reporter, July 15, 1869
To His Satanic Majesty, much has been attributed in days gone by, and at the present moment it appears the inclination of the masses is far from lessening his responsibility. The latest sensation His Majesty is responsible for is the destruction of the peace and harmony of the neighbourhood of Number 294, St. Mary Street, in so far that he has taken possession of the house bearing that number, and both during the day and dark night giving blood-curdling and mysterious proofs of his presence there. “The masses may laugh and jeer and sneer,” as the inmates of the house say, “but if they were only here instead of us, they would soon find out the terrible truth we are telling.” Upon enquiry, the following is the manner and means whereby His Majesty chooses to indicate his “being there.” The house is a small one and under an apartment there is as usual in such dwellings, a small but deep and dark cellar, reached by a trap door through the floor. It is of this cellar the infernal headquarters have taken possession. The first indication of anything unusual was the flying up of the trap door one day not long ago, and the ejection from the darkness below of a scrubbing brush, a lot of nails, eggshells, etc., etc., all accompanied by a strong smell of brimstone. The eruption done, the trap door closed again, leaving the horror-stricken and trembling inmates speechless, and in a profuse cold perspiration. Of course, the neighbours heard of the mysterious indications, and a number of them, boldly declaiming they did not believe it, and were not afraid, were invited to wait and see for themselves. They did so, and sure enough as midnight drew near, bang-bang opened the trap door, out came nails, egg shells, feathers, etc., and out rushed, wildly screaming, the bold neighbours, who at once declared it was the devil, one being ready to swear he saw him sitting in a corner with his tail twisted round his neck. Then it was at once settled that the devil was in possession and no one else. The opening of the trap door and discharges took place at regular intervals. The police were then sent for and one of the number having entered the house, stood with the eldest female awaiting developments. He had not to wait long when up flew the trap door and out came the usual quantity of infernal machines. “Don’t you see him? Don’t you see him?” screamed the female, and away she rushed to tell that the devil had appeared even before a policeman. “Well,” said the policeman, “if it’s the devil in the cellar, I’ll have you up for having spirits in the house without licence, that’s all.” It’s but just to say the policeman looked into the cellar, but could see no signs of an infernal presence. Meanwhile, the trap door opens and closes at intervals, accompanied by the usual egg shells and iron nail discharges. The neighbourhood are convinced it is the devil himself, and with trepidation await the result of the infernal visit.
A hard-headed unbeliever says that the tenant in the house has for some times found the rent rather high and is desirous to lower it or have it lowered by some or any means surely, surely not. — Montreal Gazette.
The Apparition Seen and Described
Sarnia Observer, August 15, 1873
For some days past the ghost, which, it is asserted, has been seen in the neighbourhood of the Court House, has been the talk of Whitby. The apparition, according to report, is seen under various forms — that of a black dog, which suddenly assumes the shape of a rather tall man, and from whose eyes burning red flames seem to issue, being the most familiar. Others assert that the ghost has been seen leaning with both hands on a staff standing on the Court House steps, or walking slowly between the steps and the entrance gate, at “the witching hour of night.” Those who have had the temerity to approach the midnight intruder allege that on their approach it has all at once disappeared as in a flame of fire, sinking, as it were, into the ground. Others say that the most sorrowful moaning has been heard to proceed from where the ghost makes itself at first visible, and in fact all sorts of versions are given as to what has been seen and heard of what people persist in calling the “Court House Ghost.” Last night a gathering assembled around the Court House railings, and remained there until nearly twelve o’clock to ascertain what could be seen, but at that hour hurried home to bed, cold and disappointed at the non-appearance of his ghostship. After the departure of the crowd, however, it is stated that the apparition was again seen by respectable and creditable people, that it was a tall figure walking heavily with a cane, and frequently stopping to look up at the sky, and groan while making its round wearily through the grounds in front of the Court House. There are, as may be expected, all sorts of surmises as to what the trouble is, and a determination avowed by many parties to find out all about it, and if it be a trick, to expose those who would impose this latest ghost hoax upon a community. — Whitby Chronicle.
The Devil Looking in at Parkhill — through the Bar Room Window — [From a Correspondent]
London Daily Advertiser, July 8, 1870
Allow me a little space in the columns of your valuable paper to describe one of the most fearful sights that ever was seen in this village, as witnessed by six or seven persons.
On the night of Thursday, June 30th, at about eleven o’clock at night, the inmates of a certain hotel in Parkhill were apparently enjoying themselves carousing, singing sacred songs, and having a regular jollification, when suddenly appeared at the bar room window a most fearful-looking object taking a look at them through the window, and more particularly at Mr. Hastings, who generally is styled “the deacon.” The size of this unnatural object was about two feet in length, and not quite as broad, covering nearly two large panes of glass; its body was smooth, having four arms or legs extended with long, slender claws, and a fifth leg emanating from its body, upon
