The Ghost of Gas Hill.
Truro has been excited beyond measure by the uncanny doings of a ghost, which has taken possession of a little cottage at the corner of Gas-hill and Fairmantle street, in the city, and has for the past week been making such uncanny noises at the “witching hour of night” as to alarm the neighbours, and ultimately to draw an unruly mob to the scene, some of whom hang about the premises till the small hours of the morning, to the great annoyance of peaceably-disposed people. The police, however, we are glad to say, have now interfered with the assembling of the crowds, and the neighbourhood is restored to something like its former quietude. But “spiritual manifestations” still proceed at favourable moments.
The house is occupied by a man named George Prinn, a pensioner who is employed as a labourer at Trethellan Smelting Works, his wife, three children and a grown-up daughter. Mrs Prinn is an hysterical invalid who is confined to her bed, and it is supposed to be the object of the delicate attentions of the unseen ghost. As far as we can make out this noisy spirit has nothing to communicate by his rumblings and knockings, which vary from the faintest possible strumming on the wooden partition to startling blows approaching the power of a sledge hammer.
The room in which the woman Prinn lies is in front of the house, immediately above the kitchen, which is unceiled. The stairs by which the bedroom is reached is separated from it by a wooden partition, and against this partition is placed a small iron French bedstead, occupied, when we saw it by Mrs Prinn and a little girl about ten years of age, who lay, dressed, and apparently asleep, across the foot of the bed. The bedstead does not touch the wooden partition, but the “tie” does as it is drawn through the iron frame work and projects over it some six inches. It is on this wooden partition that all the “manifestations” takes place.
The “ghost” will not condescend to reply to anybody, but when certain members of the family, or a “praicher,” who was present gave three knocks upon the wall at the further end of the room, three corresponding knocks were heard upon the partition; and at other a series of vibrations or tremulous sounds were heard, such as might be produced by shaking the bedsteads if they touched the partition.
The “ghost,” however, has a strong objection to light, and it was not till the lamp was extinguished (which did not take place till a member of the family had been “tipped,”) that three tremendous “whacks” were delivered upon the partition. The women – there were several present, “screeched” and groaned, one doubling herself up, and with a rocking motion crying out- “Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord!” at each spasm; the “praicher” also contributed to the general harmony, and appeared to have some faith in the spiritual character of the mysterious sounds, though his prayers did not avail to lay the ghost.
It is only fair to say that there was a dim light from a small fire, which enabled the occupants of the room to see the partition and the bed, and that a gentleman who accompanied the writer on the stairs when the deus ex machina could not be seen from either side. The sound was such as might be produced by a walking stick or piece of flat wood struck smartly against the partition.
The elucidation of the mystery can only be effected by the removal and examination of the bed.
We have a notion that if a person were to stand between the bed and the partition the spirit would refuse to speak, as was the case in a ghostly visitation which occurred some quarter of a century ago at Wheal Alfred near Hayle, a very interesting account of which will be found in the R. C. Gazette of Dec 26th 1879, in the folklore column. In that case, which bears a strong family likeness to the Gas Hill one, noises were heard like those of a person clicking his finger nails together, groaning, grinding his teeth, with occasional heavy blows at the head of the bed, coming and going, sometimes by day, but continually by night when the candle “was put out”.
“Three pious men” were employed all one evening to try to put the thing out of the house, but it was “too strong for them,” so the Church parson was sent for (the writer of the account in the Royal Cornwall Gazette referred to). And a powerful effect he had, for as he entered the bedroom, the crowd outside saw a “blue flame come out by the window and go on towards Hayle and the sea!” Knowing that, it does not surprise us that the ghost did not “manifest” himself during the parson’s presence, but he, knowing nothing of the spirit’s exit, placed himself behind the head of the bed, where also in this case the noises occurred, and waited in vain for a manifestation.
In fact the ghost never returned, for the parson, who was a shrewd fellow, discovered that the woman of the house was anxious to get possession of the adjoining cottage, which she would very soon have done by frightening away the occupants. He managed to convey to the woman his suspicions and the ghost came no more. The parson, was in fact, too strong for the ghost, and with much self-restraint he refused a five pound note offered him for “laying” the disturbing spirit.
In Truro, however, it would appear that the ghost is too strong for the parsons, as well as for the “pious men” who attend upon its antics. He has, we understand, been visited by so exalted a personage as a Canon of the Cathedral, but he, – if the spirit be a he – laughs at bell, book, and candle, and knocks away, by night, if not by day. We would recommend the Canon to adopt the tactics of our friend the humble parson – get behind the bed, and probably the ghost will disappear through the window or up the chimney in the twinkling of a bedpost.
If the Truro ecclesiastical dignitaries cannot dispose of this perturbed spirit, we would recommend that the hero of the Wheal Alfred adventure be sent for, as the excitement which now prevails is likely to do some injury amongst the weak-minded and excitable women who have a predilection for the supernatural.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 27th February 1880.
Laying a Ghost at Truro.
Gross Superstition.
A proceeding took place on Monday night at Truro which would have been in keeping with the so-called dark ages, but seems scarcely possible in the 19th century. For the past fortnight a house situate in Fairmantle-street, occupied by a man named Prinn, has been said to be haunted; and crowds assemble nightly around it, making the road almost impassable, and remaining until midnight, much to the annoyance of the inhabitants.
Clergymen of the Church of England and Nonconformist ministers have been sent for to see if they could quiet the evil spirit, for evil it must be, for during the time some well-disposed but indiscreet persons have been praying, the noises have been louder and more constant than before. The house – a two-roomed one – has been visited by many scores of persons of all classes. On going upstairs, Prinn’s wife is found in bed, the head of which comes up to a wooden partition; and the highly favoured ones are indulged with a series of rappings, in loudness from a tap to strokes as if from a sledge hammer on the partition.
This causes many, after giving the woman a few pence, to run away, fully persuaded that the sounds are supernatural, whilst others of a more inquiring turn of mind endeavour to find out the means employed to effect the noise, but without success. Whatever the agent used, it is very cleverly done, and there can be no doubt that a good harvest has been gathered by the family.
At last the widow of a former resident named Charles Nicholls discovered the cause of the mysterious knocks, namely, her departed husband, who, being annoyed by her giving away his wearing apparel, had come back to reproach her and the man who had them. Nothing remained but to rebury the spirit, the body being in the cemetery at Truro. Accordingly some praying men assembled at the house, and after a religious (?) service, left shortly before midnight with the widow and Prinn, and accompanied by some two or three hundred persons, for the cemetery. Here the grave digger was waiting with the keys, and unlocking the doors the principal actors were admitted – many of the crowd climbing in over the hedges – and proceeding to the grave of Nicholls, performed the finishing part of this absurd ceremony. After prayers were offered the party retired to their homes, fully persuaded that the spirit would give no further trouble.
At the grave a disturbance was narrowly avoided, some part of the crowd ridiculing the whole affair, whilst others were very strong in expressing their opinion that it must be a ghost, and but for the appearance of two policemen who hearing the noise had followed, there would have been knocks probably not so harmless as those in the cottage. The affair has become such a nuisance that it is high time the authorities took some steps to stop the nightly annoyance.
Western Morning News, 3rd March 1880.
The Truro Ghost Story. The Ghost Not “Laid.”
(By “The shade of Peter Pindar.”)
The mysterious “spirit-knocking” in the house in Fairmantle-street, to which we referred in our last week’s issue, and which has caused so much excitement in Truro, still continues. Reverend gentlemen of all denominations have visited the place, but all their attempts to “lay the ghost” have been fruitless. No doubt if they called in the assistance of a Roman Catholic priest and at the same time requested him to bring some incense and holy water with him there might be a possibility of his “laying the ghost” and so relieving the poor woman from her torment(?). For she says she is unable to get any rest.
A gentleman, living in the neighbourhood, at his own expense has had part of the ceiling taken off to try to discover the “spirit’s” abode, but this well-meant search was of no avail. A large magnet was also procured from the railway station, in order “to lay the ghost,” or discover wires from a suspected galvanic battery, but science was not strong enough to draw “the spirit” out from his habitation.
At another time one very religious old man (who shall be nameless) who came and prayed with the woman, who is ill in bed, while doing so heard the “ghost” commence operations of so terrific a nature against the partition that the old man moved towards the place from whence the sounds proceeded and prayed that the ghost would show himself. But the “ghost” still kept himself in ambush. So much for that.
But the question is how to find the “ghost” who appears to carry on his profession in a very clever manner. It seems that his ghostship prefers to commence his operations when the lamp is not lit, and I dare say that light is not indispensable to the successful carrying-on of these very mysterious knockings, which it is stated grow louder and louder. The invalid woman thinks highly of applied whiskey as a fortifier against mental shocks; so that by “tipping” her you can hear the ghost’s loudest tones, if you so request them, as spirit liketh spirit and the one will move if the other be near. The woman declares that these strange noises have been “following her” for years. Of course her statements must be taken for what they are worth.
All sorts of curious stories are in circulation. A man named Nicholls and some other friends are going to put the ghost to rest in our cemetery this week. Perhaps there is a connection between any one bearing the charmed name of Nick-alls and troublesome imps, so that this latest attempt to quiet perturbed spirits may have the desired effect.
Cornishman, 4th March 1880.
The Ghost of Gas Hill.
“Laying” the ghost.
Another Truro Ghost.
The imposture which will from henceforth, we presume, be known as “The ghost of Gas-hill,” has been practised upon a crdulous public with much success since our last issue; but there’s a reason to hope that it has at length been “laid” to rest. And in this wise. We do not know which to believe of the many stories, all more or less diluted with exaggerations and something worse perhaps, which reach us; but we believe the following to be somewhere near the truth.
On Saturday, Pryn, the unhappy occupier of the house in which the knockings have occurred, received an intimation from his employers that unless this knocking was put a stop to he would be discharged; and, presumably, finding the game could not be kept up longer without material damage to himself, Pryn arranged for enquiries to be made of the “ghost” as to what was troubling him?
Accordingly, on Sunday night a woman named Parsons, the spirit of whose late husband (Nicholls) is credited with disturbing Pryn’s house, was brought thither and had an interview with the ghost. “Do you want me?” she is reported to have said. Three knocks immediately followed. “When do you want me? Tonight?” No sign. “To-morrow night?” Three knocks. “At what time? Ten?” No sign. “Eleven?” Silence. “Twelve?” Three knocks. Incredible as it may seem steps were taken to obey the commands of the “ghost.”
And shortly before midnight Pryn, Mrs Parsons, Mrs Rowe, a “pious woman” living in Fairmantle street; a local preacher named Husband; the sexton of the General Cemetery carrying his keys; two girls relatives of the Pryn’s and living in the house, and the late sexton, started from Pryn’s house and marched to the General Cemetery on St Clement’s Hill, where a crowd of people had assembled. All but the six persons above mentioned were excluded from the front entrance of the cemetery; but there were a few adventurous ones who scaled the hedge, and from one of these we learn that a halt was made at a grave where Nicholls was supposed to be buried, and the woman Parsons, addressing the imaginary spirit, said “In the name of God why troublest thou this house?” This she repeated twice, stamping the ground meanwhile. There was no response; and its being suggested that they were at the wrong grave, an adjournment was made to the next one, where the same form was gone through with the addition to the adjuration of “If you want me, knock on this headstone;” but there was no knocking.
A form of Burial Service was then gone through, and the parties left the Cemetery. This last assertion is denied by the person who is said to have performed the ceremony – Husband – who asserts that nothing of the sort took place, and that he simply attended as the friend of one of the party. We may add that an application was made to Supt. Angel to send policemen to keep order, and he accordingly despatched Sergeant French and PC Ely to the cemetery. And it was well that he did so, for a good deal of feeling was shown by the two sections of a mob, some hundred or two strong, which had assembled, and at one time it was feared blows would be exchanged; besides which much valuable property might have been injured.
Whatever may be said of the benighted proceedings we have referred to, they have, it would appear, “laid” the ghost; for since Monday night the knockings have ceased, though the writer has reason to believe that this consummation is due rather to the commands of Pryn, who fears the loss of his employment, than to any operations of ghost-layers, pious women, or local preachers. At all events, immediately after the supposed “laying” the women of the house were not averse to try a little further ghostly knocking if Pryn had not forbidden the spirit.
We have heard many people say that the authorities ought to have put a stop to proceedings so prejudicial to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the citizens of Truro and of Englishmen at large – a disgrace, indeed, to the city; but a moment’s thought will show that the authorities were powerless in the matter. A man’s house is his castle, and unless that house contains a criminal or a lunatic, or is the receptacle of stolen property, the police are forbidden under penalties to enter. And if there are idle people who have such morbid tastes as to countenance such ridiculous swindling, so long as they remain orderly and do not obstruct the traffic, they are not amenable to the law. We make these observations because we feel that the authorities have been unworthily censured.
This does not seem to be the first time that the neighbourhood to the east of Lemon-street has been visited by a “ghost.” In the spring of 1821 a very active “ghost” was at work in Carclew-street […]
We quote this story for the sake of its sequel, and the moral it points. Both will be found in the following extract from the Royal Cornwall Gazette of May 12th, 1821: – “The Truro ghost is at length unveiled, to the derision of the whole town; and the marvellous acts of supernatural agency, countenance by some very weak and superstitious people, who must now blush for their folly, turns out to be the malicious pranks of a wicked boy of 16, who, to indulge in revenge against his mother, had nearly brought his father to a premature grave.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 5th March 1880.
Laying the ghost at Truro. Strange proceedings. (By the Ghost of ‘Peter Pindar.’)
Truro is possessed of a great many more superstitious people than anyone who professed an intimate acquaintance with the place and people would have supposed. On Monday, at midnight, some 300 persons assembled (including some right reverend ministers of the Gospel and other very religious persons) who proceeded to the cemetery to put the now notorious ghost of Fairmantle-street to rest! The superstitious people had got hold of an idea that it was the spirit of a man named Nicholls, who once died in the haunted house (and a noted proprietor of donkeys) and who had returned to torment his widow for some wrong done to him. Accordingly, the friends of the man Prinn, who occupies the dwelling which has now so many donkeys in the front and the interior, instead of in the rear, as in poor Nicholls’s day, consulted her with a view of her going to the cemetery to “put him to rest.” As if Death had not taken care to do that. For this purpose she visited the house and knocked on the partition and asked what time she was to come, and, in reply, twelve loud knocks were received, and it was arranged that they should meet together as above mentioned and at the time named.
They met together, but it was found that the woman Nicholls was absent and a policeman was despatched to arouse her from her slumbers, for she was gone to bed. After all was ready they proceeded, two deep, to the cemetery. The procession was rather of a funereal fashion, and it was a pity that some of the less superstitious once had not provided themselves with a drum and muffled it, so as to give it the characcter of a very solemn ceremony. Arrived at the cemetery the gates were flung open – not by the “ghost” but by the sexton and the “Bobs,” got admittance through some allotment grounds, much to the disadvantage of the holders. Arriving at the grave a sort of religious(?) ceremony was performed and the grave was saluted (as stated by an eye-witness) by the woman Nicholls in the following manner: –
“Charles, in the name of God, why dost thee come back again to torment my neighbours? Did I give away the donkey to the wrong person?” Some other very foolish sayings were offered. The ceremony over, the company dispersed, but not before the police had to interfere to prevent a disturbance.
It has since been stated that the man Prinn is going to put his sister “to rest”, and then we shall hear no more about the ghost. Be that as it may, the proceedings of Monday were altogether disgraceful to those who took part in them. In our new and presumably enlightened City there are more fools and dupes, with a greater knave or two, than perhaps any person had given us credit for. The fact remains that the knocking business has been very cleverly managed and no one can tell how it is done. Although a ghost myself, sentenced for my sneers and jokes at former Corporations and inhabitants to do penance in the broadsheet of The Cornishman, I hope we have heard the last of superstition in Truro and we shall have no further repetition of these proceedings, which have not only frightened young people but grown-up persons as well.
It should be stated that the chief actor’s name is Parsons, the woman having been married a second time.
Cornishman, 11th March 1880.
Amongst the saddest spectacles to be witnessed in Truro is that presented in the proceedings in Fairmantle Street. The imposture called the Gas Hill Ghost is too palpable to excite any other emotion than ridicule in the minds of enlightened and educated people, but the effect upon the unlearned and unenlightened is very different. With these last ignorance gives birth to superstition, and there being no positive evidence of the causes which lead to the knockings at Prinn’s house, they are unable to relieve their minds of the suspicion of supernatural agency. The knockings have not, it seems, ceased with the so-called “laying” of Nicholls – indeed, they have rather increased; but quiet is not far distant, I apprehend, as Prinn has got notice to quit both his house and his employment. I am rather sorry for the man, because I have a strong impression that he is like King Lear – more sinned against than sinning.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 12th March 1880.
The Truro “Ghost”. The imposture detected.
It will be remembered that we lately gave an account of some strange rappings in a house in Fairmantle-street, Truro, and of the proceedings of a number of persons who visited the cemetery at midnight for the purpose of laying the ghost who was supposed to have produced these noises. As the man Prinn, the occupier of the house, had received an intimation from his employers that if the knocking continued he would have his discharge, it was thought the noise would cease, and the nuisance to the neighbourhood end. Instead of which the noises have been more constant and varied than before. Prinn received his discharge, and nightly persons have assembled in the house and endeavoured to find out the cause, but up to a night or two without success.
No occurrence in Truro for many years has caused so much excitement, and in the minds of many people there was a growing idea that there must be something in spiritualism after all. On Tuesday Prinn last applied to the relieving officer, Mr Richards, for an order for the Workshouse. It was then arranged that Mr Richards, Mr Superintendent Angel, and two or three others should come and test the thing for themselves, the door being locked to prevent any intrusion. The result of their observations was communicated to Mr Snell (schoolmaster) and Mr Hancock (accountant) and Mr Ley Bettison, who spent some hours in the house on Wednesday night, when Mr Snell detected one of the girls, who appeared to be asleep, knocking with her foot. This he exposed, and Prinn was much enraged at the assertion, stating he would have no further investigation. But on it being represented to him that if his story were correct that none of his family had any hand in th ematter it would be well to go on, he agreed to let Messrs. Angel, Snell, Richards, and Hancock come again on Thursday, when he, with his four girls, would leave the house.
This was accordingly done, and the bed in which the wife lay – she being, it is said, unwell – was drawn out into the middle of the room away from the wood partition from which th enoise generally camae. The four watchers sat around the bed, and after a little time, amidst the sighs of the woman, faint knockings were heard, caused, so they state, by the woman, who kept one hand under the bedclothes striking her chest, on which she probably had some hollow substance to increase the sound. No remark being made, the invalid turned on her side, and, with one hand under her head, put the other under it, and was thus enabled to produce a scratching sound on the head of the bed. This continued for some time, but as her assistants were absent no other “manifestation” took place as on the other nights.
Afterwards both hands of the woman were held, and then the noise ceased. The children, who on previous nights were in a bed in a corner of the room and appeared to be sound asleep, no doubt have made the loudest noise, to get which it has always been necessary to have the lights lowered, whilst the mother would do the tapping and scratching on her breast and the partitions.
The four gentlemen have reported: – “That after a series of investigations, and taking all necessary precautions, they are satisfied that the noises are produced by natural causes, which they have discovered, and that the whole affair is a hoax.” In the house Mr Angel found a book on spirit-rapping and hints as to how to do it. No doubt this exposure will restore the nerves of many weak-minded persons and children who have been much frightened. It is calculated that on Thursday night three thousand people visited the scene, three constables being there to keep order.
Western Morning News, 15th March 1880.
Adventure with the ghost at Gas-Hill, Truro.
There is but one order of intellect to which a ghost-belief is possible. To that order this narration is not offered. But to those who, setting aside the supernatural, have been puzzled to account for the knockings heard at Prinn’s house, I beg, with your kind indulgence, to present the following account of what occurred on the night of Wednesday and Thursday last.
Sergeant Bettison, Mr James Hancock, myself, and others were in the house about 12 o’clock, and hearing the sounds, proceeded to discover their cause. On listening attentively I felt convinced that a human hand from within was operating. We entered and found Mrs Prinn and two children on a bed which was in close proximity to the partition. At our suggestion the bed was moved out into the middle of the room, and, for upwards of an hour, no sounds were heard.
One of our party – emboldened by the absence of manifestations – now began, in a somewhat irreverent manner, to chaff the ghost touching his indifference to our presence, when suddenly three smart taps were delivered on the partition just above the sleeping-berth of a little girl. Our attention was now particularly directed to this corner and P.C. Smith, from the stairs, began to knock and was responded to but only when our watch was removed. As soon as we renewed our watch the responses ceased. I then placed myself between the child and the partition that the ghost might strike me in his efforts to reach the partition, but I was not so favoured. As soon, however, as I removed a few steps away – on came the raps again.
We now took the child out of the bed and the ghost from that instant discontinued his favours. No provocations of Smith, or anyone else, elicited a sound. After waiting a sufficient time we took the little girl down the stiars, and told the father that we were satisfied that the sounds we had heard whilst in the room were caused by the child. At once – Bang! Bang! went the ghost at the partition, and Prinn exclaimed “Who’s doing it now?” Our obvious reply was “There is no one in the room but your wife!” Mr Hancock said “I will undertake that there shall be no such noises if I go up into the room.”
Sergt. Bettison went up and Prinn stipulated that he should remain there till 3 o’clock to give the ghost a fair chance. The sounds were not forthcoming, and Prinn and his little boy essayed to get at the partition, but we insisted that they should come away. Bettison remained beyond the time mentioned, and as no sounds had been heard, came down again, saying jocosely “He was sure Charley wouldn’t knock whilst he was there.” But, hey, presto! Slap! Bang! went Charley at this partition again.
This manifestation was greeted by derisive merriment from all in the room, except the interested parties. Chagrined at this discomfiture the proprietor of the performing ghost challenged us to come again the next evening and remain from 5 till 7, when we should probably hear the sounds though he and his children would leave the house. But on presenting ourselves next day at the appointed time, in company with Superintendent Angel and Mr A Richards, Relieving Officer, we were refused admission. After much persuasion, however, we were let in. The conditions were stretched from 5 to 9, instead of from 5 to 7, as Prinn couldn’t quite answer for his ghost to an hour or so.
Meanwhile much abuse was lavished on the writer of this account, but that not being supernatural produced little effect.
Superintendent Angel and Mr Richards went upstairs and had the bed removed to the other side of the room, the head being near the wall, and we then were invited to await the pleasure of the ghost. But, poor fellow, he was now reduced to extremities – in short, to his finger-nails. No sounds were produced except slight tapping and scraping utterly unworthy of any respectable ghost. It is said that Charley, when incarnate, was not respectable – and possible his ghost is not more so. Still these noises – insignificant and contemptible as they were – puzzled us, aided as they were by the acoustic properties of the house, which (as someone said) is resonant as a drum; for they seemed now near, now far; sometimes on this, and anon on the other, side of the room.
After much patient following-up we were led step by step to the conclusion that they could be produced in no other way than by the woman tapping with her fingers on the bars of the bed, or possibly on her breast-bone, or scraping on the wall; and what particularly strengthened this view was that when she was engaged in conversation – pacific or otherwise, and very otherwise it often was – the sounds became inaudible. It was further noticed that one or both hands were constantly kept under the clothes.
We now applied this test – she was asked to place her hands outside the clothes for a few minutes. But she resolutely refused. No entreaty or cajolery could induce her to wave her determination. Mr Richards, however, placed his head on the pillow so as to detect any movement and at once the restless fingers of the ghost left off their monotonous tune, and all was still. We waited a sufficient time and gave every encouragement, but to no purpose. The performance for the night was at an end.
In conclusion I may say I have no doubt the reason the tricks have not been discovered before is that attention has been concentrated on two persons only – the wife and her female attendant, ignoring the possibility of coadjators and of variations in the programme.
Cornishman, 27th March 1880.
The Gas-Hill Ghost:
One Ghost it seem is quite enough To make a City crazy; All rouse to frenzy when he’s rough, Or calmed when he is lazy.
Whether reality of fraud No one can rightly say; The neighbours wish he’d go abroad, Ten thousand miles away.
Some useful news he might convey If he would tell the cause, Instead of knocking night and day With ghostly drum-like blows.
But while the house-wife bears the shock, She wins both cash and dinners, Until the ghost is under lock For troubling peaceful sinners.
Our chequered life of jerks and jumps Tax every active nerve, But kept awake all night by thumps Is what we ill deserve.
A guilty conscience on the rack, Some say, gives this distress; Two injured children are come back To make them both confess.
Were I the landlord, I should fret, Such property to own; To think the house will never let Until ’tis let alone.
Eject the tenant, cleanse the place, And make a thorough search, And if the pest has human face, Give him the prison birch.
A wingless Angel, paid to rule, Went down to hear the noise, While members of the Blue-coat School Went down to curb the boys.
Some mock’d, some laugh’d, some groan’d, some pray’d; Five hundred souls in fright, Philosophising, half-afraid, Down to the k nocking night.
Dissenting Preachers, Peelites, Priest, Up the dread stairs would hasten, When hollow gong was such, at least, As frightened Canon Mason.
Good spirits, doubtless, are employed In better work than this; They never yet felt overjoyed In doing things amiss.
The other class are not allowed Such vile Satanic plan As getting up a nightly crowd To frighten mortal man.
Week after week this noise prevails, And may ’till May go on: Until we get the Prince of Wales, To lay the Corner Stone.
And if His Highness feels inclined To lay the ghost as well, Our future king will ever find A welcome where we dwell.
Edward Penna.
Cornishman, 27th March 1880.
The Truro Ghost Story.
This very clever “ghost” has not disappeared after all the religious ceremonies. In fact it is said that his ghostship’s manifestations are as loud as ever, although it was thought that we had heard the last of him. People’s curiosity has again been excited, and they still congregate in large numbers outside the door nightly (to hear the strange visitor’s performances) in spite of the efforts of the police. The people would be setting a good example if they absented themselves from the place, and then, perhaps, it would be “hushed” up. However, the man Prinn, who occupies the house, does not seem in any hurry to do this, or to tell whence the sounds come. He has been threatened with expulsion from the smelting-works where he is employed, if he does not make a confession. But he says he cannot tell; and, if this is true, it seems hard that a man should be discharged in this way.
The police have used every endeavour to clear the mob away from the house, and had succeeded in doing so within the last few days, and it is for Prinn now to help them by leaving the house or explaining the cause of the mysterious sounds. However, there seems to be no abatement of the nuisance, and the mystic knocking continues as loud as ever. Prinn’s family do not seem to be the least terrified by these sounds. Surely there must be some agent employed, for respectable people have been in the house when all the occupants were apparently asleep and still the knocking continued. The whole thing remains a mystery, but, no doubt, will be found out before long.
Prinn at first tried to “palm” the whole affair on his next door neighbour, but this has failed, for the people have since left. It is high time that the authorities stepped in and put an end to this nuisance, for it is a disgrace to our young but rising city.
Cornishman, 27th March 1880.
The Gas Hill Ghost.
The rapping in the house occupied by the man Prinn and his wife in Gas-hill, Fairmantle street, Truro, is still continued more or less, and some people come miles from the country to hear it, and go away more or less mystified, and not a few believing it is a supernatural manifestation, notwithstanding the way it has been exposed as a trick. The threat of the magistrates has not had any effect.
Cornubian and Redruth Times, 2nd April 1880.
Assault. The ‘ghost’ proprietor before the magistrates.
George Prinn, of Gas-hill, who lives in the house famous for its “spiritual” knowledge, was charged with striking Ellen Keogh on Saturday, the 10th of April. Defendant admitted to striking complainant; but said the blow would not hurt a child.
Ellen Keogh stated that on the day named she was coming up from Newham between 7 and 8 o’clock in the morning. Defendant is her brother. He was walking up and down outside his door. He said he wanted her, but she did not give him any answer. He called her again and she then told him she did not want him, as he had said quite anough about her sister. He told her to look at his home which she had broken up through murdering her sister. She asked him how? He replied through starving her. He then began to knock her around and pushed her about; and he laid hold of her and struck her one or two blows. They had several words, and he was making accusations against her. He charged her with being the cause of the death of her sister. Prinn then asked her if she had not been all over Truro disgracing him by saying that he poisoned his sister, Phillippa Peak?
Complainant: – No.
Mr W. Tippett said on the day named he was coming up from his stores at Garres Wharf when he saw a lot of people assembled around Mr Prinn’s house. Prinn was quarrelling with Mrs Keogh. Saw him strike her and lay hold of her. Mrs Keogh was aggravating him by saying he had poisoned a woman and a child, and that he had murdered her sister. When he saw the crowd around the house he thought the “knocking” was re-commenced (laughter.) The affair was a public nuisance.
Catherine Salmon said she did not see the former witness there but she heard them abusing each other. Saw no blow struck and did not see Mr Prinn lay hold of Mrs Keogh. From what she saw she considered one was as bad as the other.
In defence defendant admitted striking his sister, but said in regard to the “noises” in his house he could not prevent it and they must go to higher powers than him. He believed it was something supernatural.
The Chairman said it was a very unmanly and an improper proceeding on the part of defendant to strike his sister; he should rather defend her. They could not allow these disturbances in the public streets, and they did not believe a word (the defendant) had said with reference to the supernatural. It was mere deceit to get money.
Turning from the case for a moment, and referring to the knockings, all must be convinced that it was trickery, and Prinn deserved to be sent to prison for three months, and he (the chairman) only wished they had the power to send him there.
They fined him, including costs, etc., £1. 7s. or a fortnight’s imprisonment with hard labour.
The man said he was innocent and he had not taken any money from the public deceitfully.
Cornishman, 22nd April 1880.
The “Ghost” of Gas Hill.
The “medium” sent to prison.
The absurd “ghost” affair, which has drawn so much public attention to Fairmantle-street, has at length, we should think, reached its climax; and a natural death may now be expected to follow. A split has taken place in the “camp” of the “medium,” and from an assault which arose out of the occult business, the principal “medium” is now undergoing a term of imprisonment in Bodmin gaol. It may be interesting to give a few particulars as to how the “business” has been progressing since our last report.
The ghost of Nicholls, it appears, was effectually “laid” by the ceremony at the Cemetery, for the rappings from him entirely ceased after that date. But within a fortnight from the cessation, louder rappings than ever commenced against the screen; and in answer to the usual interrogatories, PRinn was informed that his deceased sister (a Mrs Peak) now troubled him, and wanted to be at rest; and that she and her little girl had been murdered by her sister (a Mrs Keogh), to whom, at her decease, she had bequeathed some chattles and money. The murder, according to the intimation of the spirit, was effected by starvation, and removing her from bed whilst in an unfit state.
About a fortnight since, in order to appease the troubled spirit, another midnight ceremony was enacted at the graveyard, at which Prinn was the principal figure. His endeavour, however, to exculpate himself and sister from the foul crime appears to have been unavailing, for at times the ghostly “whacks” made the partition quiver, and startled the family. The intelligent and thoughtful people of Truro have become disgusted with the whole affair, and have almost entirely ceased to visit the place; but “country cousins” still come from a distance, impelled by curiosity, to hear the rappings, and this ghost like the former, became so subservient to the family as to “manifest” itself at the sight and sound of coin laid upon the table. Prinn, in the meantime, has not ceased to goad Mrs Keogh as the author of all his trouble, and on Saturday week the recriminations led to Prinn striking his sister. Mrs Keogh took out a summons against him, and the case was heard at the police court on Tuesday.
Messrs S. Pascoe (chairman) and G Read occupied the bench, and in answer to the charge, Prinn pleaded guilty. Mrs Keogh stated her case dispassionately, but Prinn became excited. The complainant said that on the morning of the 10th she was coming up from Newham – passing the “Gas hill Abbey” – when her brother, who was walking up and down in front, called her twice. She did not answer him at once, knowing well the subject that was uppermost in his mind, and about which he wanted her to talk, but she replied to his second call – “I don’t want you; you have said quit; enough about my sister.” He then told her to look at his home that she had broken up, and the trouble she had brought upon him by murdering their sister.
Mrs Prinn, who was in court, here made a noisy interruption, appealing to her husband to speak out; but the Clerk ordered her to be quiet, and silence having been obtained, Mrs Keogh proceeded. I asked him how I had murdered my sister; he replied “By starving her.” A crowd had by this time gathered round. I told him it was he that was the murderer, for he had poisoned my sister, and if he had only asked me, I could have told him how I knew it; and where I heard it from. But he still kept on saying I murdered my sister, and was the cause of all this trouble, and that I ought to lay my sister to rest. After some few more words had passe dhe laid hold of me and pulled me about, and struck me one or two blows.
In answer to the clerk whether he had any questions to ask his sister, Prinn said: Haven’t you been all over Truro disgracing me by saying I poisoned my sister, Mrs Peak? – Mrs Keogh: No, George. -Prinn: Can you say that on oath? – Mrs Keogh: I can; I have taken my oath.
The magistrates would not permit Prinn to proceed further with such irrelevant questions; and Mr William Tippett, landlord of the Navy Arms, Fairmantle-street, was called. He happened to be passing up the street at the time of the quarrel, and saw Prinn several times attempt to strike complainant before he succeeded in doing so. He heard Mrs Keogh aggravating him by saying he had murdered Mrs Peak. He thought by the large crowd that was assembled around Prinn’s house that the knockings had commenced again, as it generally did in the mornings. Mr Tippett complained to the bench of the great nuisance that was caused in the street by this “ghostly affair.”
Mrs Catherine Salmon, a neighbour, deposed to having been standing in her door-way when she saw and heard all that took place between the brother and sister. She thought one was as bad as the other; but did not see Prinn strike complainant.
Prinn persisted in saying that he was an innocent man, and was not implicated in any business with the “ghost,” in spite of the Clerk saying that could be no part of his defence of the assault. Prinn (continuing): As regards these noises in my house, my sister told me in a supernatural manner that my other sister murdered her. – (laughter).
The Chairman: You plead guilty to the assault, and we consider it was a very unmanly and improper action to strike your sister. –Prinn (interrupting): But she murdered my sister. –The Chairman: We don’t believe one word you say. It is all a sham, an hypocrisy, in order to draw money. — Prin: Not at all; not at all. –The Chairman: You ought to be sent to the tread mill for three months for this disgraceful affair, and we are only sorry that it is not in our power to send you there. For the assault upon your sister you will be fined £1, and the costs are 8s. In default of payment you will be sent to Bodmin for fourteen days with hard labour. — Prinn: I am not in a position to pay the money, and all I complain of is I am an innocent man. –The Chairman: Why, then, did you take money from the public? –Prinn: I didn’t do so, sir.
Prinn was then removed to the cells, when Mrs Prinn began to shout, “I’ll pay her before night; she send my husband to prison! I’ll be in gaol myself before long from what I’ll do to her.” A constable, however, expelled her from court. The court was filled during the hearing of the case.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 23rd April 1880.
A Cornish Ghost.
Rappings are not quite so fashionable in the Western counties as some few years since, when most villages of any repute could boast a haunted barn or hut among other attractions. It is not so very long ago that an irritable ghost made quite a sensation in a Cornish locality not far removed from Cathedral influences. In the flesh he had been a well-to-do working-man, occupying the end dwelling in a very unromantic row of cottages, with not a pool, blasted tree, lonely heath, or any proper accompaniment of such a tale in sight.
Some new tenants of this abode were treated to such a variety of [?s] knocks, and rattlings on the walls, that the place soon became too small to accommodate the crowd of visitors, who gladly paid a trifle for the privilege of listening to the blood-curdling sounds. These were at last interpreted by competent authorities to signify that the dead man could not rest because his clothes had been given away to a very obnoxious relative. The grievance being now known, nothing remained but to “lay the ghost;” which solemnity consisted in forming a procession more than a hundred strong, and appearing about midnight at the grave to deliver an address to its occupant.
The spirit’s widow had been prevailed upon to act as spokes-woman, but sad to relate, when this good woman arrived before her husband’s last resting place she utterly failed to distinguish it from several others in the same row, declaring that they had all grown alike. This was a cruel disappointment to the escort, who thus missed what would have been the most telling part of the drama; bu whether the ghost became offended past all further manifestation, or felt that his former dwelling was being watched too closely, certain it is that he afterwards lapsed into silence. – Modern Society.
Cornubian and Redruth Times, 28th January 1887.