Mysterious Affair in Kilmallock.
A correspondent of the Cork Examiner tells the following singular story: –
About a fortnight since the Rev. Mr. Dea, Protestant curate in Kilmallock, who resides a short distance from the town, between the Old Blossom Gate and the mansion house of Ash Hill Towers, heard, or fancied he heard, a knock at his door at about twelve o’clock at night. He opened the window of his bedroom, and asked was he wanting, getting no reply he retired, and in a short time the knock was repeated. He again opened the window, but with a like result.
The next night the knocking was again heard, and Mr Dea then made a report to the police that some persons were annoying him. On the third night two policemen went to the scene, and lay in ambush near the house, they heard nothing until Mr Dea raised the window, and asked did they hear anything, adding that he heard the knocking going on at a fearful rate.
The police entered the house, and they also heard the noise. They returned to barracks, but the constable (a Protestant) could not be convinced of the noise being in the house. On the next night he went there, and also waited in ambush, but he heard nothing until he entered the house, when there was the noise like that made by a heavily weighted cart.
After this many Protestants of the town accompanied by Mr Weldon J.P. went to the house, and they all heard the noise as described, and explored every room and corner, even an old garret in the house (through which one of the exploring party fell). When they went to the room where the noise was supposed to be heard, it was then heard in another.
One or two persons were then put in each room and the noise then seemed as if proceeding from the walls. The noise still continues to be heard commencing sometimes as early as 9 p.m. and at others not until about 4 o’clock. Many are the surmises as to the nature of the affair, but, of course, no opinion on the matter can be advanced. Therefore I merely state the facts as I know them.
Longford Journal, 13th April 1878.
Mysterious Affair.
From the report of a “mysterious affair in Kilmallock,” published in the Cork papers, one is led to believe that some enterprising spiritualist is amusing himself at the expense of the peace of mind of the inhabitants of that ancient town. It appears that for several nights past the residence of the Rev. Mr. Dea, Protestant clergyman, has been disturbed by mysterious noises.
The knocking went on for three nights, the reverend gentleman going frequently through the ceremony of opening his bed-room window and demanding the meaning of the fearful knocking. The police were informed of the affair, and a body of them placed in ambush. They also heard the noises, but failed to make any arrests.
The noise was heard inside the house, rising from a “dead” knock until it reached a rumbling sound like that made by a heavily-weighted cart.
After this the Protestants of the town, headed by Mr Wildon, J.P., visited the house and likewise heard the mysterious sounds. Every hole and corner of the place was examined, but without any result, save an awkward tumble that one of the exploring party got through the floor of an old garret.
The latest conclusion is that the noises come from the walls of the dwelling. They commence usually about the witching hour of midnight, and continue till 4 a.m. Should the mystery continue for a while, a capital thing might be made out of it by a pushing Barnum. We cannot help thinking that spirits, good or bad – and we have tasted both in the Irish Balbec – have something to say to the affair. – Saunders’s News-Letter.
Roscommon and Leitrim Gazette, 20th April 1878.