It is a Murdered Man’s Ghost.
Special to the News.
Washington, Kas., Jan. 8.
Some two months ago the husband of Mrs Joseph Crisman, living at Enosdale, left home, no one knowing where or why he went. The family were left in destitute circumstances, what little stock they had being covered by a chattel mortgage, which was soon foreclosed. About the time Crisman left and for a long time previous all was not harmonious on the homestead, domestic brawls being of very common occurrence. Since then the family have complained of being disturbed at nights by unearthly noises, rappings and manifestations of spirits.
The alarm of the woman and children finally became so great that the neighbouring men took turns in watching the premises, two men going together and remaining on guard over night. At first they saw nothing, but one night a clay pipe that one of them was smoking was blown into a thousand pieces, a report like a pistol shot being heard at the time. The smoker’s face was blackened and scorched with powder and pieces of an exploded cartridge were found, but where the shot came from is a mystery that is yet unsolved.
Two nights after the pistol shot episode, a farmer went to sit up with the widow. It was dark when he got to the house, and while he was yet distant a few rods he saw a white form enter the outside cellar door, the door swinging back of its own accord to admit it and then closing again in the same manner. The farmer immediately ran to the door and standing upon it called to Mrs Crisman for a hammer and nails, which being furnished, he nailed the door securely with battens of fence boards. He then ran and aroused some neighbouring men and the door being unfastened they all entered the cellar, but it was empty, although there was no possible way of egress except by the door.
The latest manifestation has had the effect of making Enosdale and surrounding country wild with excitement. Many firmly believe that Crisman is a dead man and that it is his spirit that makes these visits to his former home.
The Rocky Mountain News (Weekly), January 11th 1888.