Abingdon.
A ghost scare.
Once more is the peace of mind
of the poorer townsfolk disturbed by the supposed reappearance of the
Ock Street ghost, which caused so much alarm a few years ago. This time
the ghost is said to have quartered itself in West Saint Helen Street in
a passage nearly opposite the old Wheat Sheaf Inn, and for the past
fortnight the street at this spot has every evening been thronged with a
crowd of excited men, women and boys. The occupants of the small
tenements up the court in question declare they get no peace owing to
the mysterious breaking of the windows. It is not a noisy ghost, but a
most destructive and extravagant ghost, for it delights in throwing coal
and coke and even young potatoes through the cottagers’ windows. Almost
every tenant in the yard has suffered in this way.
We cannot but
ridicule the idea that such damage is caused by a supernatural agency.
It is, however, certainly strange that the missiles should come as they
do from all directions and apparently from over the roofs of the houses
and quite regardless of the presence of a numerous company of watchers.
Ladders have been obtained and the roofs searched in the vicinity, on
the supposition that some one was concealed, but with no result. The
police, too, have kept watch, and they went so far as to arrest on
suspicion the supposed ghost in the person of one of the tenants of the
court, named Alfred Carter. He was, however, released foor want of
evidence, and in consequence, perhaps, of the fact that whilst in the
lock-up the window smashing had in no way abated.
Berks and Oxon Advertiser, 12th June 1891.
Abingdon.
A Ghost Story.
The
annals of this ancient borough have been made interesting by the
proceedings of a ghost. It has disturbed the population in and round
about West St. Helen-street. It appears that a widow, who resides in
Taylor’s-yard, in that street, seems to be the chief attraction of the
“ghostly visitant,” and the ghost is supposed to be that of the late
husband, who, it is stated, threatened to haunt her after his decease,
which took place a long time ago.
The “visitation” has now been
going on for more than a week, but nothing has been visible except
brickbats, stones, and bad potatoes. These have not only been seen but
felt by several, and windows in the yard have been broken. Each night
persons, including some constables, have been watching, and one man was
arrested at half-past ten on Tuesday night, but after he had been locked
up the stone throwing still continued, and the police authorities,
unable to charge the man with any offence, he was discharged. Each night
the street has been crowded and vigorous watch kept, and it is hoped
that the “ghostly visitant” will soon be hauled up before the Bench in
flesh and blood.
Berkshire Chronicle, 13th June 1891.
We are apt to associate ghost stories with works of fiction, and the history of the past, when our great grandfathers and grandmothers were in the flesh; but a correspondent states that the good people of Abingdon believe their town is visited by a “real live” ghost. Of course it goes without saying no one has seen this mysterious inhabitant of the spirit world, although many have suffered from his nocturnal visits, for it appears he has a mania for breaking windows with coal, coke and young potatoes. We have read of ghosts carrying swords, iron chains, and even their own heads in their hands, but never before have we heard of a ghost who has dishonoured his craft by using such common things as coal, coke, and young potatoes, in order to carry out his designs. Doubtless the Abingdon police will eventually prove themselves equal to the cunning of this ghost, and then the disturber of the Abingdonian equanimity will probably meet with his due reward.
Witney Gazette and West Oxfordshire Advertiser, 13th June 1891.
A
ghost scare is disturbing the peace of the residents in West St
Helen-street, Abingdon, and for the last fortnight the street has every
evening been thronged by a crowd of excited men, women and boys. The
occupants of some small tenements declare they get no peace owing to the
mysterious breaking of the windows. It is not a noisy ghost, but a most
destructive and extravagant ghost, for it delights in throwing coal and
coke and even young potatoes through the cottagers’ windows. Almost
every tenant in the yard has suffered in this way.
Ladders have
been obtained, and the roofs searched in the vicinity, on the
supposition that some one was concealed, but with no result. The police,
too, have kept watch, and one evening they went so far as to arrest on
suspicion the supposed ghost, in the person of one of the tenants of the
court, named Alfred Carter. He was, however, released for want of
evidence, and in consequence, perhaps, of the fact that whilst in the
lockup the window smashing had in no way abated.
Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser, 18th June 1891.