“Ghosts” at Ilkeston.
Mysterious rappings heard.
A mild sensation has been caused in Ilkeston by rumours circulated broadcast on Saturday evening that “ghosts” were astir in a house in Albert-street. No forms were said to have been visible, but most unearthly sounds had been heard during the previous two nights, and those who heard them described them in detail, and in such a manner as to leave no room for doubt that there was some truth in the story.
The uncanny sounds, it is stated, are to be heard between 9 p.m. and midnight, and also early in the morning, at a certain house in Albert-street. Shortly after nine on Saturday night this house was visited by a large number of interested persons in the town, while a constant crowd awaited on the precincts outside. For some time there was no sound, and it suddenly being remarked that the “rappings” were no observable except when the boy (aged nine) was in bed, a movement was made downstairs, and in a casual way he was ordered to bed. He had just time to obey the order when the loud rappings commenced, and continued intermittently for some time.
Various officials and experts in the town have been present, and they are at a loss to explain the extraordinary phenomenon. The sound varies in effect from the report of the vigorous contact of a person’s flat hand applied rapidly on the wall, to the sound of loud postman’s knock in the ceiling, or in the floor upstairs.
A joiner was sent for, and while he was engaged taking up the flooring the rapping suddenly commenced, and he dropped his tools. A police-constable was called, and he was not a little “scared.”
Derby Daily Telegraph, 11th June 1906.
Considerable interest has been caused at Ilkeston, Derbyshire, owing to alleged spirit-rapping which has been heard in a house in the vicinity. Large crowds gathered round on Saturday night, when the rappings commenced about nine p.m., and continued intermittently till midnight. The noise proceeded from a room on the upper floor, and sounds like a man striking the palms of his hands together. At times it is very loud, and moves to different parts of the room. Experts have visited the house, but are unable to explain the occurrence. Numbers of people believe that the affair is supernatural, and are panic-stricken.
Kent and Sussex Courier, 15th June 1906.