Strange Occurrences in a Dorset Village.
Spiritualism or witchcraft?
Extraordinary proceedings.
The little village of Durweston, situate about three miles from Blandford, has been for some weeks past the scene of considerable excitement in consequence of the supposition that one of its cottages is haunted. The cottage in question is one of a double tenement, situate at Norton – a spot isolated from the rest of the village, some considerable distance from the highway, and on the outskirts of a wood.
The cottages are owned by Viscount Portman; his keeper (named Newman) occupies one, and the other until recently has been in the occupation of a widow (named Mrs. Best), her daughter, and two little orphan girls, who were boarded out to Mrs. Best by the Honourable Misses Pitt, of Steepleton. It is in the latter house that these occurrences took place, which have caused such a scare in the village.
More than a month since Mrs. Best – who, it may here be stated, is a most respectable woman, of a quiet, inoffensive disposition, and on good terms with her neighbours and the village generally – became puzzled by faint knocking and scratching in various parts of the house, and could account for the same in no possible way. As days passed there was a repetition of these strange noises, which gradually increased in sound, until they could be heard by the keeper Newman in his own house.
About a fortnight since these sounds – which the village blacksmith, who was an auditor of the same, described as then being as heavy as sledge hammer blows – were succeeded by still more startling events, for, according to Mrs. Best’s version, stones came violently through the bedroom windows, smashing the panes, and then returned through the windows.
The neighbours instituted a thorough search of the surroundings to see if there was anyone in hiding who was playing a joke upon the woman, but there was not the slightest trace of a human being, nor of footsteps. Whether the woman’s story be true or not – and it was generally accepted, as were still more strange events that followed, as “a mystery” – the broken panes of glass are a standing witness that either natural or unnatural means have been employed.
The visitations continued, and the knocking and tapping and scraping the walls came yet more frequently. The poor woman naturally became almost distracted, and, with her daughter and two little charges, sought a refuge in her neighbour’s house. But the sounds did not cease, and on one occasion were heard in Mrs. Newman’s house. On Thursday evening of last week, however, the strangest of all the previous strange occurrences happened.
It seems that the woman had taken to answering the knocks of late, and had asked the “agency” – whatever that might be – to knock a certain number of times if “it” desired to write something on a slate. The number of knocks stated were given, and it was arranged that a slate, with pencil, should be placed on the bedroom window. The Rector and School-master were present at this time, and had gone to the house to endeavour to elucidate the mystery. Mrs. Best and the children went to bed, and the knocking immediately commenced. No writing, however, at first appeared on the slate, and the question was asked if it was necessary for those in the room (the Rector and the School-master) to leave; if so, so many knocks were to be given. The stated number of knocks followed. The question was then asked – (and it was understood that these questions were put by one or the other of the two visitors) – if any writing would appear if one person remained in the room, and a negative answer was to be a certain number of taps. This number followed. It was then agreed that the Rector should remain near the topof the stairs provided with a light, and the bedroom door was left wide open.
In the Rector’s own words he heard scribbling on the slate immediately follow, and the pencil dropped after giving four taps. He instantly rushed into the room, and found Mrs. Best and the children still in bed, and not a sign that they had moved. On going to the slate he saw were distinctly written, in rather better than a schoolboy’s handwriting, the words “Mony,” “Garden,” and above the former and below the latter were two round “noughts”. Further questions of the “agency” elicited the information that the “money” was six yards from the house and six feet deep in the ground.
Of course the whole proceedings greatly astonished, if they did not frighten, all in the house, and Mrs. Best, who was terribly affected by it, stated that whilst in bed she plainly heard the writing on the slate, but saw nothing. The School-master described the thing as “unfathomable to him,” and the Rector told our representative, who has personally seen the writing on the slate, that he was prepared to take an oath that no-one in the house wrote the words.
Yet another peculiar circumstance occurred a few days later, and one which points to the “agency” being of a moving nature, and to, in some way, be connected with the little orphans. It was decided that they should be transferred from Norton to a house in the lower part of the village, occupied by a labourer named Cross. Since their removal the sounds had ceased at Norton, but on Sunday night they were heard at Cross’s house – the same scraping and tapping noise as before. On Monday night an extraordinary thing happened. The two children slept with one of Mrs. Cross’s children in a bed together. During the night screams were heard proceeding from the room, and on hurrying in Mr. Cross found plaster from the wall strewn all over the bedclothes and about the children’s hair. There was also a hole in the wall where the plaster had been pulled out.
On Tuesday night everything was quiet at both Norton and Mrs. Cross’s. Our representative requested to be shown the bedroom at the latter’s house, where such curious damage was alleged to have occurred,but Mrs Cross refused to allow him, or to say anything about the affair.
The above facts, strange and unaccountable as they are, have been obtained from reliable sources, but with some amount of difficulty, as there has been a general reluctance at imparting any information on the matter at present. There have been other rumours current, all more or less partaking of the supernatural. Naturally, scores of persons have visited what is locally now known as “The Haunted House,” and so numerous were these visitors that a sign had to be erected prohibiting all trespassers.
Mrs. Best continues to reside, with her daughter, at the Keeper Newman’s, but her health has so suffered in consequence of the recent frights that she has had to seek medical assistance. It is proposed that the two orphan children shall be removed from the village. They are both little girls – one about five and the other about 10 years of age. The youngest has been with Mrs. Best for about three months; the other a period a little in excess of that. The whole affair is regarded in the village as a great mystery. As the Rector observed it is a matter of speculation, which at present could not be cleared up. There are suggestions that the causes are associated with spiritualism; and of course there are people who believe that witchcraft is at the bottom of all these strange experiences. It may be added that the indication of “mony” being in the garden has not resulted in a search.
It will no doubt be remembered by a large number of our readers that manifestations of a very similar character, occurred in a farm-house at Muchelney, Somerset. They created great excitement for a considerable time, and were never satisfactorily unravelled.
Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 16th January 1895.
The Dorset Village Mystery.
Further Rappings.
Our Blandford reporter writes: – The mystery at the little village of Durweston, Blandford, some extraordinary occurrences connected with which were published in last week’s Courier, still continues. There have been further visitations of the supposed supernatural agency, but they have been less frequent and less startling in character. It will be remembered that the two orphan children were removed from the house of Mrs Best, at Norton, where such remarkable events happened, to a house occupied by a Mrs Cross, in the lower part of the village.It will also be remembered that a night or so after their arrival here they were subject to the very strange experience of having the plaster of the wall strewn all over their bed, this proceeding being accompanied by a repetition of the tapping and scraping noises which had been heard for so long at Norton. From the ttime of this visitation until Tuesday night of this week all was quiet at the house. The unnatural noises ceased, and Mr. and Mrs. Cross, as well as the villagers generally, were beginning to entertain hopes they would not be renewed. (It may be stated here that not a sound has been heard at Norton since the removal of the children.) But about nine o’clock on Tuesday evening the “spirit” again began to move. The rappings and knocks again occurred in various parts of the house, more particularly in the bed-room in which the two children sleep. These noises rose and fell in sound – some were faint taps, while others were of such volume that they could be heard not only in the adjoining house, but also by persons standing in the road outside. They were described as “unnatural and unearthly noises,” resembling deadened thumps in some instances.
Some of the neighbours, in addition to the Misses Godwin, brother of Mr. H. C. Godwin, brewer, and the Schoolmaster (Mr. O.Sheppard), were in the house during portions of the visitation, which altogether lasted for upwards of three hours. They all distinctly heard the uncanny sounds, but, of course, could no more account for them than they could for all the other curious occurrences which have happened. As remarked by one visitor, whilst standing by an open door, a terrific blow would seem to be struck on it, but the door would not move in the least.
Some of the visitors on Tuesday evening determined on again resorting to the plan of asking questions of the “agency,” and for that purpose it was decided that the youngest of the two children (about four years of age) should be the medium. It may be mentioned that this little thing regards the tapping and knocking noises as play on someone’s part, being of course too young to realise their nature, and a witness remarked that it was interesting to hear the little mite intelligently remark, on the noises re-commencing after a short cessation, “You are come again are you?” It would also (being presumably directed) tell a faint knock to “knock louder, if you please,” and “louder still, please.”
The child was in bed on Tuesday evening when the sounds recurred, and the visitors gave it a number of questions to put to the “agency.” Among these, which were answered in the affirmative by a stated number of knocks, were the following: – “That the child had no parents;” “That she was four years of age;” “That she had been in the village three months” (Which is correct); “That she should not go to Norton again;” “That she ought to go to London;” “That there were £10 for her;” and “That it was in a bank in London.” The question was also asked if the girl had an uncle, but to this there was no knock received.
It seems that the knocks would come but frequently when persons remained in the room, and most of the foregoing queries were given by persons standing just outside. Some of the knocks, however, came when persons were in the room, where were also the eldest of the orphan children (about 10), together with Mrs. Cross’s children, but they were not in bed. Asked if they had a suspicion that the children in some way caused the noises, the Misses Godwin said they did not for one moment think such a thing.
As stated before, the knockings continued till about 12 o’clock. The Rector had in the meantime been sent for, and he arrived just in time to hear what proved to be the last, but by no means the least, thump. Such occurrences as the above have now been agitating the village for several weeks, and there seems no prospect of their being explained. The slate-writing recorded last week has led to no search “six feet deep” for “mony.” The children left the village on Friday, and as the “agency” appears to be connected with them through following them from Norton, it is thought perhaps these “wonders” may now cease.
Our representative was at the village at 10 o’clock on Wednesday evening, up to which time no further noises had been heard at Mrs Cross’s house.
Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, 23rd January 1895.
A ghost story. Another mare’s nest.
During the past few weeks two or three local papers have given blood-curdling accounts of the doings of a supposed “ghost” at Durweston, near Blandford, and one paper – printed at Yeovil – went so far last week as to give a leader on the subject!
We are now informed that the whole story is a play upon the imagination, and that, as a matter of fact, there is no “mystery” whatever in the affair. We agree with the Salisbury Journal that “it is a pity that one or two newspapers whould have made so much of the ‘mystery,’ giving it an apparent importance which it would be ridiculous to suppose is merited by it.” Several daily papers have been so far misled as to give graphic accounts of this so-called ghost story!
Western Chronicle, 25th January 1895.
The Durweston Mystery. The Unaccountable Rappings and Noises.
(By our special correspondent).
The mysterious sounds which have caused such commotion and no little anxiety to the inhabitants of the above peaceful little village seem to have been stopped by the removal of the “mediums” – two children. It would appear that some time ago an orphan girl, through the kindness of a lady of the county, was sent from London and lodged at the house of a villager named Mrs. Best, whose cottage is situated at Norton, about half a mile from Durweston proper. The child, who is now about 13 years of age, attended the village school, and nothing occurred to disturb the peace of the inhabitants until the arrival of another child at the same cottage. The second child is about four years of age and was, like the other, the object of the same lady’s kindness and pity. Soon after the little one arrived noises of a somewhat strange character were said to be heard at Mrs. Best’s cottage, the noises taking the form of scratchings and rappings on the wall, &c.
This first occurred five or six weeks ago, and being made public ludicrous statements were made and a great many stories set afloat as to the house being haunted and the strange freaks of the supposed ghost. On investigation, however, the matters have assumed a much more serious character in the minds of the people who have been present for the purpose of private investigation, although it is not believed that the manifestations are the result of supernatural causes.
Many persons, of course, visited the house of Mrs. Best and were present during the time knocks were made, but none of them appear to have the slightest notion of how those rappings were caused. It was generally thought that there was some “agency” at work upon the younger child, as the rappings were not heard until her arrival. On several occasions the house was very closely watched, whilst questions were put to the originator of the knocks, but without results. On one occasion, in answer to a question whether “it” would write something on a slate, knocks were given. A slate was placed on the window bench of the children’s room and writing was distinctly heard by persons outside the room, who on entering found the words “Mony, Garden,” written on the slate.
We are informed that the writing corresponds very much to that of the eldest child, who, however, appears to know nothing of the occurrence. That it was written by her there appears to be no doubt, but as it is affirmed the child never left her bed those present naturally attached some importance to the incident. The noises made in the rooms when the children were present – and apparently coming from no visible source – were heard by several persons, who, though varied in station, found their belief in the theory that it was a “trick” fast disappearing.
The children were removed to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Cross, which is situated in the village. The noises at Mrs. Best’s house were then heard no more and no more damage was done. On the arrival of the children at their new abode they were again the subjects of attention, knockings and rappings being again given, and during the evening the bed was strewn with plaster. After this the noises were not heard for some time, but just as Mr. and Mrs. Cross and the neighbours were congratulating themselves on their freedom they were assured by a repetition of the affair that all was not over. Noises in various parts of the house were heard, but more especially in the rooms occupied by the two children. Some persons who were present made the request that the knocks should be made louder, and their request was complied with to such an extent that they could be heard in the road and in the rooms of the adjoining houses, to which some had repaired, previously to the request being made and in order to assure themselves that the rapping did not emanate from the adjoining premises or from outside the room.
One person, the veracity of whose statement cannot be doubted, says that whilst sitting in the room with the children – the door being open at the time, and opening inwards – a very heavy blow appeared to have been struck on it. No one could be seen, however, although a complete view of both sides of the door was obtained at the time the blow was struck, neither did the door appear to move in the slightest degree.
A very large number of similar remarkable occurrences are testified to by persons of undoubted character and veracity. Some of these appear to have done their utmost to solve the problem and a very large number of questions were addressed to the walls to which knocks – as agreed upon between the interrogator and the originator of the knocks – were given. The replies to the questions were correct respecting the ages of the children and other details. Some of the investigators of a more facetious disposition went further in their examination, and requested “it” to beat the time of certain popular tunes. To their surprise this was done, “The National Anthem” and several popular tunes being beaten out correctly but apparently by an invisible hand in the room.
It must be mentioned, however, that the rappings were more frequent when the children – together with the child of Mrs. Cross – were in the rooms and the investigators were outside the rooms. Knocks, however, were heard in the rooms where persons were, but only when the children were present.
It is the general belief of persons in the village that the “manifestations” are in some way connected with the eldest child, bu that she is not conscious of, and cannot avoid, what occurs. That she is capable of perpetrating a trick of this kind is not deemed probable by many, or for one moment believed by those who have been most closely connected with the affair.
The children were sent away from the village on Friday and are being taken proper care of. It is believed they are sent to different places. Since their departure from the village no noises or unaccountable sounds have been heard.
It is stated that some prominent members of the “Psychical Research Society” have visited the village for the purposes of investigation, and a further visit will be paid. If the society or any of its members attach any credence to the information they have received – and it would appear that such is the case – no doubt the children would be placed under their direct supervision either together or separately with a view to ascertaining whether the noises and rappings, which have brought the youngsters into such unenviable prominence, accompany them beyond the boundaries of the Durweston village. If the noises do not accompany them the expense of bringing the children again to Durweston would be perhaps trifling, and would no doubt be gladly borne by those who believe there is no trickery in the circumstance, in order to ascertain the real cause.
Why these orphan children should be singled out for such peculiar attention it is difficult to conjecture, and it would be interesting to know if that attention was renewed on their re-visiting the village to which they were previously strangers. For the benefit of the inhabitants of the village generally, every effort should be made to ascertain in this, or some other way, if there is anyone clever enough and base enough to practice a deception of the kind, whilst on the other hand if there is “no deception” the society should in the interests of “science” endeavour to show by what strange coincidence or natural cause – there is no genuine belief that the cause is a supernatural one – the contact of two young children can bring about as strange a set of circumstances as the villages and others of Durweston have been subjected to.
Southern Times and Dorset County Herald, 26th January 1895.
The Dorset Village Mystery. To the Editor of the Taunton Courier.
Sir – As I was paying a call in the neighbourhood of Durweston last Saturday, I made up my mind to interview Mrs. Cross and others respecting the so-called mystery which has created such a sensation in connection with the two orphans from London. I found Mrs. Cross very willing to give me any information, and naturally a little put out at my unbelief. Later on, I examined “the wonderful slate,” and side by side with it the writing of the elder of the two orphans. The result of this is that I am convinced that the writing is hers, and this is evidenced by examination of the letter “r,” which she used to write with a flat stroke at the top instead of a round one; but, fearing discovery in a school exercise, she had moistened her finger and wiped out the square-topped “r” in every line upon her school slate, substituting for it the round-topped letter.
The exact method by which she manages the mysterious rapping I have not had an opportunity of finding out; but it isi enough to my mind that she has come from a London Workhouse, where any amount of cunning tricks are played amongst the children. I have no hesitation in pronouncing the whole thing “a fraud” – I am, Sir, yours truly, RECTOR. January 21st, 1895.
To the Editor of the Taunton Courier.
Sir – As I am examining this case on behalf of the Society for Psychical Research, I think it due to the persons in the village who have been associated with it to say that I have not hitherto observed indications of trickery. The testimony of some two dozen reputable witnesses has to be collected and sifted; and if, when this has been done, we discover any trick your readers shall be informed. If not, the evidence will probably be published in a form accessible to students. For the present, therefore, I would ask your readers to suspend their judgment, and especially not to jump to the supposed alternative of “ghosts” or “spirits” (of the departed), when there may be possibly nothing more in the affair than human minds acting in an unusual manner. – I am, Sir, yours truly, E.WESTLAKE. Vale Lodge, Hampstead, Jan. 22nd, 1895.
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser, 30th January 1895.
Sir- The readers of your paper, and the public generally, especially we poor simpletons at Durweston, are under a deep obligation to your correspondent, “Rector,” for his kindness and condescension in having so ably investigated our “village mystery.” The result of his exhaustive investigations may be summed up in the three profound statements in his letter – “I interviewed Mrs. Cross …. I examined the wonderful slate …. and I have no hesitation in pronouncing the whole thing a fraud.”
Your correspondent naively adds, “I have not had an opportunity of finding out the exact method by which she (the elder of the two orphans) manages the mysterious rapping.” Perhaps he will “pay another call” in our neighbourhood as soon as convenient, and just look in and clear up this trifling matter for us! It has baffled all the endeavours of some 24 of the aforementioned Durweston simpletons, and an expert in these matters, a member of the Psychical Research Society, after more than eight days’ minute investigation, has had the audacity to say that he is perfectly satisfied that there is no trickery or fraud in the whole affair!
Some profane persons have spoke of “Rector’s” letter as “silly,” others as “insolent,” another has ventured to say that “his opinion might be worth something, if he adduced some proof to support it.” Of course this is presumptuous on their part. “Rector” has spoken ex cathedra:- “I have no hesitation in pronouncing the whole thing a fraud.” Of course this settles the matter; and in the face of this infallible verdict, we simple Durweston folk (who have seen and heard these phenomena) must hide our diminished heads, and determine in future not to believe the evidence of our eyes and ears.
I am, Sir, yours faithfully, W.M. ANDERSON, Durweston Rectory, Jan. 26th, 1895.
Sir, – Will you allow me to ask your correspondent “Rector” on what grounds he “pronounces the whole thing ‘a fraud,'” after stating that the exact method by which she manages the mysterious rapping he has not had an opportunity of finding out? The “exact method” is what we all would like to know. Therein alone is the “mystery.” Whence then “the fraud?” The “cunning tricks of London Workhouse children,” to my mind, have nothing whatever in common with the natural or preternatural forces which have recently caused such a sensation in and out of Durweston. As “Rector” does not disclose his name and address he may not wish to know mine. I therefore enclose my card, and subscribe myself yours faithfully, A LAYMAN.
Sir, – In reference to the mysterious noises which have recently been heard in two cottages in this village, I observe in your last week’s issue a letter signed “Rector.” This gentleman, who has cautiously withheld his name, and was no witness to the proceedings, has taken upon himself “without the least hesitation to pronounce the whole thing a fraud.” Now, inasmuch as I was witness on one occasion to the “mysterious rappings,” I feel myself in a position to give an opinion and to state positively that in the sounds produced – so far as my own sight and hearing are concerned – there was no trickery whatever on the part of the orphan children, or any other person in the cottage at the time.
I was not present when the writing on the slate took place, but whatever your correspondent’s theory may be in regard to it I can only say that both Mr. Anderson (the rector of this parish) and Mrs. Best would be willing, if necessary, to take oath that the writing was not done by any person in the room. Mrs. Best and Mrs. Cross, in whose charge the orphan children were placed, are well known in this village as persons whose testimony can be relied upon. The accounts they have given have been most straightforward and candid throughout – and both being well known to me, I think it only just and fair to add that I do not for one moment imagine they would be parties to a “fraud” such as “Rector” so readily and unjustifiably imputes to them. – I am, Sir, yours truly, HENRY C. GODWIN. Durweston, Jan. 29th.
Sir – Will you kindly allow me a little space in your paper to say a few words in reference to the letter from “Rector” in your last week’s paper? Being a near neighbour, and well acquainted with all the facts of the case, I can assure “Rector” that he is quite wrong. The child, Annie Clive, has been with Mrs. Best for some years, and was quite a little thing when she came. How strange she should never thought of her London learned tricks until now? Some of the tricks of this little girl 10 years old would take the strength of two strong me to do. How does “Rector” account for that? One thing more. I doubt if this child knows she came from a Workhouse, as that has not been made public out of regard for the child’s feelings. Whatever it is, if it comes from the child, it is something she cannot help or control. There is no-one in Durweston who for one moment believes “Rector’s” statements. Trusting you will make this public in all fairness to the people of Durweston, who are not quite so green as they look, – I am, Sir, faithfully yours, CROSSPATCH.
Western Gazette, 1st February 1895.
Sir, – May I say a few words in support of “Rector,” on whom some of your last week’s correspondents so fell in condemnation of his letter in the previous Western Gazette? I am unaware of his identity, but his motive in writing was, as I take it, no wish to scoff superciliously at his puzzled neighbours (?), but to counteract the baleful influence of belief in a supernatural cause of the “Village Mystery” must have upon the weaker brethren, by plainly laying before all his views of the explanation. Few educated people in writing or talking on this subject state their unbelief in a supernatural cause, thinking it will be taken for granted, but among the less gifted many will consider the absence of denial means acquiescence, and be thereby encouraged, contrary to reason and religion, to entertain the idea that a departed spirit may endeavour to get its wishes carried out by a system of petty annoyances it would have scorned in the flesh. Is it not degrading to believe that any spiritual manifestation may take so paltry a form? It probably did not occur to “Rector” that his right to make public his matter-of-fact opinion, or his having the courage of it, would be called in question. – I am, Sir, yours truly, DIRECTOR.
Western Gazette, 8th February 1895.
The Dorset Village Mystery. To the Editor of the Western Gazette.
“This is as strange a maze as e’er men trod; And there is in this business more than nature / Was ever conduct of: some oracle / Must rectify our knowledge.” – Tempest, Act V.
“There are more things in heaven and earth / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” – Hamlet, Act I.
Sir – May I ask “Director” who has said a few words in support of “Rector,” with whom his enlightenment seems co-extensive, who are “the weaker brethren,” “the less gifted,” in whose behalf he writes so feelingly? Those whom I presume he calls “the weaker” have in this matter manifested themselves the most strong-minded, and the “less gifted” the most capable of discerning a force in nature apparently unknown to or forgotten by the “few educated people” whom he would uphold probably as their instructors in “reason and religion.”
“We do not believe in witchcraft and the like o’ that, but there is something about this we don’t understand; and it is no trickery,” intelligently remarked a poor woman of the village to me; whilst those who ought to know better, the “educated,” sneer at the intuitive discernment that is expressed in that opinion “no trickery.” Certainly it is no “fraud!” It is very unusual, but by no means unprecedented. It is simply history repeating itself. Through all ages, amongst the records we have of Man endowed with “divers gifts,” we find reference to similar manifestations of an incomprehensible psychic or spiritual force under varied circumstances, and instead of being contrary to “reason and religion,” as “Director” infers, it is in perfect accord therewith.
“There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body,” says religion; whilst reason concludes that if an effect manifestly connected with the will is produced by a force unconnected with the body, whence the will operates, incorporal and invisible, it must be spiritual, or an element or force in nature which, in the present state of our knowledge and for want of a more definite word, we not altogether inappropriately call “spiritual.”
I deprecate with “Director” a belief in supernatural cause, or a suspension of the law of Nature to produce the “Village Mystery,” believing rather that the occurrences are the natural (or preter-natural in the sense of extraordinary) result of coincident conditions of a mental and aural character that at present we know but very little or nothing about.
However “degrading it may be to believe that any spiritual manifestations may take so paltry a form as a system of petty annoyances,” I see no reason to believe that some spirits may be more infallible or given to less vagaries out of the body than in it. Your space forbids; otherwise I could send you a column of matter, established as historical facts by thousands of dead and living witnesses, of which the “Dorset Village Mystery” is in many respects an exact reproduction, that would tend to show that “Rector” and “Director” have both stultified themselves in their endeavour to rectify the opinions and direct the intelligence of their “less gifted” and “weaker brethren.” – I am, Sir, yours faithfully, A LAYMAN.
Sir – May I once more trespass on your valued paper to say a few words on behalf of the people of Durweston, whom your correspondent seems to think are not only ignorant and unlearned, but are also believers in the supernatural? Now, if “Rector’s” letter was published with the good intention “Director” claims for it, was it necessary to accuse an innocent child of playing tricks in order that the weaker brethren might not believe in the supernatural? Let me tell “Director” that we have in our cottages an old book which tells us that our departed friends shall not return to us, but we shall go to them, and this book we all believe in. – I am, Sir, yours faithfully, CROSSPATCH.
(This correspondence must now cease. – ED.)
Western Gazette, 15th February 1895.
Case II. Durweston.
This case is of interest because, again ,we have the contemporary evidence of an educated witness, who remains convinced of the genuineness of the manifestations. The disturbances began in December, 1894, at the village of Durweston, near Blandford, in a cottage tenanted by a respectable widow named Best, her daughter Julia, aged about sixteen, and two orphan children, who were boarded out from a London workhouse; the elder, Annie, being about thirteen years of age.
Mr. Westlake went to Durweston at the end of January, 1895, and took notes of his conversations with the various eye-witnesses. The disturbances consisted of loud noises, rappings on the walls, stone-throwing, etc. One witness, Newman, a gamekeeper, had seen shells, beads, thimbles, bits of slate-pencil, a boot and other objects thrown about the room in broad daylight. The phenomena which he claimed to have seen were quite inexplicable. His account was given to Mr Westlake some five weeks after the events.
The disturbances were also investigated by a local clergyman, the Rev. W.M.Anderson, who describes the following experiment:
“A slate and pencil were placed on the ledge of the window in the room in which Mrs Best and the two children were in bed. The room was left in darkness, and Mr Anderson with others remained at the bottom of the stairs. Then, to quote his account; “Some fifteen seconds elapsed, and amid perfect silence we all heard the pencil scratch on the slate. Mrs Best gave a suppressed groan, which I could distinctly hear. Four sharp raps were given almost simultaneously with the dropping of the pencil on the slate, and Mrs Best gave a loud screaming call, ‘Come.’ I was in the room instantly. The light showed some unmeaning scratches on the slate.” At a later performance the words ‘Mony’ and ‘Garden’ were found on the slate.”
Mr Anderson is convinced of the supernormal character of this manifestation. It remains to add that the child Annie is of a decidedly consumptive tendency and apparently hysterical, and that both children are alleged to have seen a curious (hallucinatory) animal in the house.
[…] In [this] case the local doctor satisfied himself that trickery had been employed by the little girl; and the gentlemen – Major King and Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor – who investigated the case on behalf of the Society, expressed themselves of the same opinion. Colonel Taylor, however, appears since 1884 to have changed his opinion.
p.141-2 in ‘Studies in Psychical Research’ by Frank Podmore (1897).
In the latter part of January, Mr Westlake proceeded to Durweston and took down the statements of some of the principal witnesses – about twenty in all. The disturbances, it appears, began on December 13, 1894. On December 18th Mr Newman witnessed some of the phenomena. The following is an extract from Mr Westlake’s notes of an account given to him by Mr Newman (whose cottage was adjacent to the haunted cottage) on January 23, 1895.
“On Tuesday (December 18th) between 10 and 11 a.m., Mrs Best sent for me, and told me that Annie (the elder girl, about thirteen years of age) had seen a boot come out of the garden plot and strike the back door, leaving a muddy mark. I went into Mrs Best’s, and I saw a bead strike the window; and then soon after, a big blue bead struck the window and broke it, and fell back. Then a little toy whistle struck the window, but did not break it. Then I sat down in the chair, and said: ‘You’re a coward, you’re a coward; why don’t you throw money?’ I was looking at the door opening into the garden; it was wide open, leaving a space of fifteen inches between it and the inner wall, when I saw coming from behind the door a quantity of little shells. They came round the door from a height of about five feet. They came one at a time, at intervals varying from half a minute to a minute. They came very slowly, and when they hit me I could hardly feel them.
“With the shells came two thimbles. They came so slowly that in the ordinary way they would have dropped long before they reached me. They came from a point some, I think, a trifle higher, and some no higher, than my head. Both the thimbles struck my hat. Some missed my head and went just past, and fell down slantingwise (not as if suddenly dropped). Those that struck me fell straight down. The two children were all the time in the room with me. Then straight from behind me a slate pencil came as if from the copper. The pencil was about two and a half inches long and went slowly on a slant to a bowl on the floor in the pantry; and another piece went in the same direction, just over the bowl, and fell into a pot of dirty water.
“Then a hasp, like the hasp of a glove, was dropped into my lap from a point above the level of my head. I never saw any of the things begin to move. I saw some of them just after they had started. The time was between 10 and 11 a.m. – a nice, clear day. I don’t remember whether there was sunlight.
“A boot then came in from outside the door. It came in moving along a foot above the ground, and pitched down. The boot had been lying right in front of the door, where it had previously fallen. This boot came towards me and fell down just at my side. Mrs Best took it and threw it out – it was an old, dirty boot from off the garden plot (it was a woman’s boot). I think the boot moved about as slowly as the other things, but cannot quite remember. It finally fell softly. After the boot was thrown out into the garden, I went out and put my foot on it and said ‘I defy anything to move this boot’. Just as I stepped off, it rose up behind me and knocked my hat off; there was no one behind me. The boot and the hat fell down together.”
A few days later the two children, with their foster-mother, Mrs Best – a woman, it should be said, of about sixty years – went to stay in Mr Newman’s cottage for some days. Whilst they were there the Rector of Durweston, the Rev. W.M. Anderson, came to witness the phenomena. On his first visit (Friday, January 4, 1895) nothing took place. On Thursday, January 10th, he went again, accompanied by Mr Shepherd, the schoolmaster. Mrs Best took the two children upstairs and put them to bed, herself lying down on the bed with them. The subjoined chart shows the disposition of the furniture: –
Loud rappings were heard, apparently on the walls in different parts of the room. Mr Shepherd went outside to see that no one was playing tricks from outside, whilst the Rector remained within, the noises still continuing. Subjoined is an extract from Mr Anderson’s account, written on the 25th January, 1895, of the events of that evening: –
“I put my ear and hand to the wall but could not detect any vibration; but when resting my hand on the rail at the bottom of the bed, I could distinctly feel a vibration varying according to the loudness of the knocking. It is, perhaps, needless to say that I searched the room and the house, also Mrs Best’s house, from top to bottom. Occasionally there was a noise on the walls, as if someone were scratching with their nails. This scratching also appeared to be produced on the mattress of teh bed, although I am sure it was not produced by any of the occupants of the bed, as I could see their hands, and watched them very closely all the time.
“There was a lighted lamp, a small hand-lamp giving a good light, on the washstand the whole time. When the rapping first began, I noticed that it frequently ceased when I came into the room, but after a short time it made no difference, and was loud and continuous when every inmate of the house was in the room. About 2.15 a.m. it was suggested that the “agency” should be asked whether it would write any communication on a slate and the number of raps requested for an affirmative were given. There was no slate in the Newmans’ house, but Mrs Best told us where we should find one in her house. Newman, Mr Shepherd and myself went into her house, found the slate and a piece of pencil, and returned. In reply to several questions as to where the slate was to be placed, the number of knocks given indicated the window-sill (inside, of course), the sill being nine or ten inches wide. I may mention that every conceivable place was mentioned one after the other, but the right number of raps was not given, only a short, sharp knock, which seemed always to be given for a negative. We almost gave up at this point, until, as an after-thought, I suggested the window-sill, which was at once accepted. The next question was as to who was to remain in the room, and according to the knocks everyone was to leave, except the two children and Mrs Best; the light was also to be removed. The sign to be given when the writing was finished was four raps.
“We all retired down the stairs, which are about ten in number and straight. I remained at the bottom of the stairs, with the bedroom door wide open, it was very dark at the time. Some 15 seconds elapsed, and amid perfect silence we all heard the pencil scratching on the slate. Mrs Best gave a suppressed groan, which I could distinctly hear. Four sharp raps were given almost simultaneously with the dropping of the pencil on the slate, and Mrs Best gave a loud, screaming call, “Come.” I was in the room instantly; the whole thing taking less time than it would take to read this description. The light showed some unmeaning scratches on the slate. We asked for something legible, which was promised in the usual way. It was with the greatest difficulty that we could persuade Mrs Best to remain in the room a second time, but we prevailed on her to do so, I promising to remain on the stairs. The second time a flourish (something like this) was on the slate –
Only the curves were beautifully drawn with firm bold lines, such as no child could produce. The same proceedings took place a third time, when M [above] 1 was found on the slate. The fourth time MONY and the fifth time O [above] GARDEN [above] O. Every time I was nearer to the bedroom door, which was wide open and opposite the window. The last two or three times I was so close that I could almost hear Mrs Best breathe, the silence being death-like. The slightest movement by any one in the bed would have been detected by me in a moment, and I am absolutely certain that the writing could not have been done by any one in the room without my knowing it. On one occasion the pencil rolled off onto the floor, and was broken in two pieces.
Mrs Best cannot write; the younger child cannot, she was asleep; Annie Cleeve can. I told Mrs Best that I was myself convinced that no one had moved in the bed, much less left it, but I said people would say such had been the case. She said she was prepared to take a solemn oath that none of them had moved or left the bed, which was some 4 ft. or more from the window. We could get no more replies in the way of raps, and nothing more was heard that night. Mr Sheppard and I left at ten minutes to three.
I should like to say a word about the characters of those who have witnessed and heard these abnormal phenomena. With one exception (Spinney) they are all known to me personally, and the veracity and honesty of them all is beyond question. Mrs Best is an earnest Christian woman, who bears perhaps the highest character in the village.”
Later, the children were taken to another house in the village, where raps and other noises were heard; and were finally separated; the elder child, Annie, being removed to another village, Iwerne Minster, to the house of a single woman. There the disturbance still continued: noises were heard, generally on the outer walls of the house; a big stone was flung on the roof of the porch, and snowdrops were dug up out of the garden and flung about. On March 7th, Miss W.H. Mason, Local Government Board Inspector for Boarded-out Children, came down and took the child Annie to stay in her flat in London for a week. No disturbance worth recording took place during her stay in London.
Miss Mason had the child examined by a doctor, who pronounced her of a markedly consumptive tendency, and apparently hysterical. A sister two years older than herself, has since died from consumption. According to another witness, Annie, during the earlier disturbances, saw a queer animal with green head and green eyes and a big bushy tail, sitting up and pulling her doll to pieces with its paws. Gertie, the younger girl, she added, had seen the same apparition when Annie called her.
It will be observed that the account given by the educated witness, Mr Anderson, of the phenomena observed by himself is quite compatible with trickery on the part of the children. But this supposition implies in Mrs Best either connivance or, in the alternative, a degree of stupidity which it is difficult to credit. This is a real difficulty; since Mrs Best, a Nonconformist, was by all her fellow-villagers, even including the Rector, looked upon as a thoroughly respectable woman; and the sequel of the outbreak, at any rate, was most detrimental to her interests, since she lost in the girl Annie a lucrative lodger, who had been with her for nearly four years.
As regards the things vouched for by Newman, it should be observed that the account was not committed to writing until 5 weeks after the events. On the whole I think it would be difficult, on the evidence obtainable, to substantiate in this case a theory of supernormal agency.
Poltergeists – by Frank Podmore. In the Proceedings of the Society for Psychical Research v12 (1896-97).