Rat-traps Set For ‘Ghost’.
From our own correspondent, Paris, Thursday.
Rat-traps have now been set by the police to catch the guitar-playing ghost of a guillotined man, believed by terrified peasants to have returned to haunt his house at Chez Royer, central France. The man, Henri Dardillac, former owner of the village inn, was executed a month ago for double murder. A few days after his execution, his widow complained that strange noises could be heard every night in the attic over her bedroom.
Last night, armed police kept vigil in the house. Soon after their arrival faint noises were heard in the attic. The noises grew gradually louder till they were like thunder. Then came a faint twanging, as if someone were playing a guitar. The police searched every corner of the attic, but found only two empty suitcases. As soon as they left the room, however, the noises, which had ceased, began again.
Daily Herald, 9th April 1937.
French Village in Ghost Panic.
Haunted by murderer.
Man who was guillotined.
Limoges, Friday. – The headless ghost of a guillotined murderer is being hunted by French police following remarkable statements by his widow that he had been appearing at her home at Chez Royer, near here, every night for some weeks. The murderer was Henri Dardillac, who was guillotined last month for the murder of a motorist and his companion.
The first appearance of the ghost occurred about a week after death, when Mme. Dardillac, who lives with her children in a small inn, heard mysterious sounds in the attic. At first, almost inaudible, they grew in strength until they were like the rumble of thunder. Terrified, she went to the house of a neighbour. Night after night noises have since continued, commencing shortly after 8.30. On occasions they sound like the roll of thunder, the tramping of heavy feet and on others like heavy chains being dragged across the floor. The entire village is now in a state of panic.
The local police have been called in, but despite close watches on the attic and its approaches no one has been found. Last night the noises again were heard. Immediately two officers dashed into the attic, but it was empty. As soon as they left the room the noises continued. Special large traps are now being set in the room and a continuous guard is being maintained.
Describing the episodes Mme. Dardillac said: “Not only are there noises. Once I looked out of my window and saw a pure white animal resembling either a large dog or a small calf. I opened the door but it had disappeared.” – Central News.
Belfast Telegraph, 9th April 1937.
Ghost Noises In The Night.
Man guillotined two months ago.
A particularly eerie ghost story – for the ghost in question is one without a head – comes from the village of St Auvent, near Limoges, where the inhabitants have been much perturbed by the unusual happenings in the house inhabited by Mme. Dardillac and her two children.
Mme. Dardillac’s husband was guillotined at Limoges two months ago for murdering a motorist and his companion. After staying with her mother at the time of her husband’s death Mme Dardillac and her children returned to their home a month ago, and ever since then a din coming from the garret fills the house between nine o’clock and midnight every evening. The noises include stamping and loud knocks on the wall and the rattling of chains and the sound of broken glass.
The garret can be reached by a step-ladder only, and several villagers who have inspected it during the day have found it empty. But even since the removal of the step-ladder the noises have continued, though, it is said, with less violence after sprinkling with holy water.
Everybody in the village claims to have heard the noise, though nobody has, apparently, ventured to visit the garret during the ghost’s activities.
Dundee Evening Telegraph, 10th April 1937.