A Genuine American Ghost Story.
Newburg, N.Y., February 11th.
Sarah Maria Williams, six months ago died suddenly in the place known as Williamsburg and Pochuck, two miles south-west of this city. Her husband, Noah Williams, had been confined to his bed through sickness. This circumstance exasperated Mrs Williams, who, the neighbours say, was in the habit of daily informing her husband that “he had better die and be done with it.” When the possibility of her dying first was mentioned by her husband, she would rage and threaten to haunt him if such an event took place. The woman died and was buried. According to the story of the Williams family and others, the threat of haunting was put in execution.
At first, during the night, the noise of rattling boxes was heard in the house. At times the racket was so great as to resemble the pounding of a heavy hammer in a machine shop. The nightly-occurring disturbance troubled old Mr Williams and his family. Williams was positive the poundings and hammerings were the work of his dead wife. Matters were brought to a climax by the bed in which Williams uneasily slumbered being violently lifted up and thrown topside under on the floor. The old man was found doubled up under the mattress, nearly dead from fright. He insisted upon being taken elsewhere. He died a few days later, the event no doubt being hastened by the nervous shock.
Since the death of Williams, which occurred a few weeks ago, the house has been without a tenant. While the house was vacant the noises were kept up regularly. The residents in the vicinity of the haunted building tell horrible stories of chain-rattlings, groanings, &c., which issue from the building. A few days ago C. Williams moved into the house for the purpose of making his home there. He is a son of the dead man. the unearthly visitations were kept up, and in consequence, Williams junior and his family were forced to retire. At present the spirit of Mrs Williams has full control of the building. Large crowds visit the neighbourhood daily in search of a clue as to what causes the disturbance. So far, nothing has been discovered by the visitors.
Leeds Mercury, 13th March 1879.