The Cock-Lane Ghost Again.
Police Intelligence.
Lambeth this day. – Fanny Parker, a young woman, lately a servant residing with Mr Charles Henry Kutse, a merchant’s clerk, residing at 339, Albany-road, Old Kent-road, was placed at the bar, charged with breaking 23 squares of glass in various windows of that house. The case seemed to be a very mysterious one at first, and bore a strong resemblance to a second edition of the Cock-lane ghost story.
The complainant stated that the prisoner had been in his service about six weeks, and a fortnight ago, some mysterious tappings were heard, which employed the investigating powers of three policemen. They searched every imaginable place, chimney and all, but without effect. An unoccupied house next door failed to afford any clue to the matter.
On Wednesday last eight squares of glass were suddenly broken, and upon examination it was found that the blow was struck from the inside, the shattered pieces falling out. Stones came down the chimney in a most unaccountable way, and the prisoner seemed to go into fits. She was afterwards closely questioned, and admitted having broken them, but could assign no reason for the act.
The prisoner, upon being asked what she had to say, replied that she could not tell what made her do it, but she felt that she must break the windows, and afterwards thought that she must destroy herself soon after.
The magistrate adjudged her to be imprisoned for 14 days. Her mother was present, and declared to the magistrate that the prisoner had never previously exhibited any tendency to such strange freaks as the present.
Globe, 4th September 1855.