The New York Sun of October 14th quotes the following from the San Francisco Chronicle –
Mysterious manifestations of recent occurrence at the dwelling, 933 Howard-street, have created something of a sensation, and form the leading topic of discussion in the neighbourhood. The dwelling in question has been occupied for several years by Philip Kennedy, of the firm of Kennedy and Brennan, dry goods merchants, corner of Third and Minna streets. The family enjoyed the tranquil composure that usually falls to the lot of well-regulated households, until one day, about the middle of last week, when confusion worse confounded descended upon the abode.
The family had been absent during the day, having previous to their departure secured all the doors and windows of the house. On their return they found the doors and windows all open and everything in the house in a disturbed condition. But nothing was missing, and there was no indication of a visitation of thieves. The family were at a loss to account for the cause and purpose of this disturbance.
The following morning, while Mrs Kennedy was standing in the hallway, after delivering her orders to the butcher, the hat-stand suddenly waltzed up beside her, and immediately a general racket was commenced throughout the house, as if every article of furniture on the premises had joined in a riotous dance of death. Chairs, tables and bedsteads hobbled about the rooms, as if suddenly endowed with life and instinct. The piano kept up an incessant thrumming and thrashing through the day; drawers, closets, and trunks that had been securely locked against mortal intrusion, were opened, and their contents thrown about the rooms; the crockery was clattered about to increase the general din, and everything portable upon the premises was displaced.
When Mrs Kennedy directed the servant to place the baby in a parlour swing, the swing was suddenly raised to the ceiling and held there by invisible hands, and finally thrown out of a window, as the servants retreated aghast. All the pictures in the house were turned face to the walls, with the exception of that of the Virgin Mary and a portrait of Mrs Kennedy’s father. The latter was served the same way after the old gentleman had entered the house, and while he was standing looking at the painting.
This startling exhibition of supernatural power occurred in open daylight, and for a great part in the presence of the whole family. At one time Mrs Kennedy, fearing the destruction of a valuable mantel clock, carried it to another apartment and placed it on a bed. Immediately after it was as carefully lifted from the bed by the mysterious agency at work, and placed upon a table on the opposite side of the room. Many other like astonishing incidents are described in connection with this strange visitation.
On Friday last there was a cessation of the disturbances, and the family, who had several times sought refuge with their neighbours, indulged the hope that the alarming and unendurable manifestations had finally subsided. But expectation was doomed to disappointment. At about five o’clock on Saturday evening the gas was suddenly turned on throughout the house, and every burner lighted as if by a flash. Again the piano broke forth with a Wagnerian tempest of discord, and the furniture was excited to redoubled animation. A priest was summoned, and the father exorcised the perturbed spirits with paternosters and the prayers prescribed for that purpose, but the tumult was not in the least abated, and the good man was finally compelled to desist in despair.
When questioned as to his theory of the cause and purpose of the disturbance, he explained that it was produced by a discontented soul in purgatory who had reason to reproach the remissness of living friends and relatives in the economy of prayers and masses for the alleviation of its distress. Mr Kennedy hastily vacated the premises the same evening, and removed his family to the “Nucleus” Hotel. No. 933, Howard-street, is now vacant.
Spiritualist, 23rd November 1877.