Ghost Attracts Hundreds.
Gives out spirit messages through medium of girl.
Essex, Conn., Jan. 25. – A noisy ghost and a girl whom it evidently uses to communicate a wonderful assortment of spirit messages to all who watch and wait have attracted thousands of curious and perplexed persons to a house in the Meadow Woods district, near here, during the last few days. The narrow road through the woods, which leads to the house, was rendered almost impassable by the crowds who proceeded on foot, in farm wagons and by automobile from all parts of Connecticut to verify for themselves reports of the mysterious happenings which have spread over the state.
Strange, ghostly sounds issue from all parts of the house. Like a running commentary on the vain efforts of numerous investigators to trace them, the noises flit from room to room as persons excitedly seek their source.
Perth Amboy Evening News, 25th January 1915.
Ghost and Girl Cause Stir.
Connecticut village in consternation over happenings in “Haunted” house.
Essex, Conn., Dispatch.
A noisy ghost and a girl whom it evidently uses as a medium to communicate a wonderful assortment of spirit messages to all who watch and wait have attracted thousands of curious and perplexed persons to a house in the Meadow Woods district, near here, during the last three days. The narrow road through the woods, which leads to the house, was rendered almost impassable today by the crowds who proceeded on foot, in farm wagons and by automobile from all parts of connecticut to verify for themselves reports of the mysterious happenings which have spread over the State.
The house is occupied by Mrs Charles Brown, her five sons, and Miss Edna Wood, 17 years old, a sister-in-law of one of the sons. Mrs Catherine T. Brown, the owner of the haunted house, died there in July, leaving it to her daughter, Mrs James Pitrillon of Lima, Ohio. There was a provision in the will that the house should not be sold or rented. But it was inconvenient for Mrs Pitrillon to occupy the house herself or to maintain it untenanted, so she rented it to Mrs Brown, who is not a relative. The ghost evidently learned just before Christmas that the provision in the will had been violated, for about that time loud rappings on the floors and walls of the house were heard.
Soon after the first tappings were heard, Miss Wood began to go into trances. During these trances she answers any and all questions propounded to her. All such responses are made with loud tappings, the measured distinctness and unfailing accuracy of which astounded the most credulous. Some Essex spinsters whose ages have been told in this manner pronounce the ghost a fraud and a cheat but a consultation of the birth record has yet to reveal an error.
The Monroe Journal, 5th February 1915.