Brierley Hill.
A Ghost Exorcised.
A correspondent sends us the following: – “Reports have lately been in circulation in the neighbourhood of Brierley Hill, that a house occupied by a family of the name of Rowley, near the Round Oak, was haunted by a ghost, as noises of a very alarming character had been heard every day, without intermission, for a space of eight months; sometimes as often as eighteen times during the twenty-four hours; and all their endeavours to discover the cause proved utterly unavailing.
It appears that a brother of the poor man, and the wife of the said brother, had died some twelve months ago, leaving their affairs in an unsettled state, which had occasioned much unpleasantness among their friends; and various, as well as ridiculous, were the conjectures of some superstitious people, although the poor man who was thus annoyed had not interfered, he being a remarkably quiet, well-conducted character.
The noise referred to resembled the falling of a ponderous weight, which seemed to rebound twice, and then went away with a rushing sound. So alarming were these noises, that in one instance, during the night, the man and his wife were compelled to quit their bed, and sit down stairs by the fire for some time. Indeed, such was the effect produced upon the mind of the poor man in consequence of these annoyances, that, for the first few months it was heard, he was apprehensive he should become unable to follow his employment.
Several persons who have been led thither from motives of curiosity have repeatedly heard the same while sitting with the family, but giving way to their superstitious fears, had not the courage to ascertain the cause. Hearing the report myself on Monday, the 22nd ult., I went to the house with the determination to investigate the case; I sat about twenty minutes, but did not hear it.The next day (Tuesday,) I went again, but had not the satisfaction of hearing it. The following evening I went up stairs, taking a friend with me, where we sat in the dark for about three-quarters of an hour, during which time we heard it once; but as the noise was not heard so distinctly there as it was below stairs, (the friend I took with me having heard it before several times down stairs,) my suspicion was strengthened.
On the Friday following I went into the neighbour’s house next door, of whom I asked permission to sit in their chamber for a few hours on the following Monday evening, thinking it possible the noise might proceed from that room, the partition wall being only a single brick in thickness, and it was invariably heard in one corner close to the said wall; assuring them at the same time that I was determined to investigate the affair thoroughly, and sift it to the very bottom.
The request was complied with, but from that time to the present nothing of the kind has been heard; the family, who before were depressed in spirits, dejected, melancholy, and unhappy, are so relieved in their minds at the removal of the annoyance, that they are now cheerful and comparatively happy.”
Our correspondent adds, that he leaves our readers to form their own conclusions.
Birmingham Journal, 3rd January 1846.