“Spooks” at Cheriton.
Mystic forces in a dug out.
Stones and implements hurled about.
Ex-councillor’s startling experiences.
Canadian soldier corroborates.
Sir A. Conan Doyle and Sir W. F. Barrett visit the scene.
Cheriton is alive with excitement owing to some remarkable occurrences which have given rise to all sorts of conjectures as to the cause. In the grounds of Enbrook Manor, Risborough-lane, the residence of Mr. H.P. Jacques, J.P. , the Chairman of the Urban District Council, a dug out is in the course of construction. The work had been entrusted to Mr. F.W. Rolfe, a well-known Cheriton man, who formerly was a member of the Urban District Council, and the excavation was the scene of the strange happenings.
Bricks and other weighty substances are said to have been hurled through the air, apparently by no one, and other objects have been shifted from one position to another by some force other than human agency. The story is an astounding one, at first almost incredible, but there appears to be no reason to doubt the word of those who state that they have actually experienced the workings of the occult forces which have manifested themselves in various alarming ways. That it is no ordinary fairy tale may be gathered from the fact that such eminent men as Sir Conan Doyle and Sir William Fletcher Barrett, Ex-President of the Psychical Research Society, have been called into consultation, and having visited the scene of the unnatural occurrences and made personal investigations, have been deeply impressed with what they regarded as the working of some intangible force as baffling as it is remarkable.
A “Herald” representative who proceeded to Cheriton to make inquiries first saw Mr. J.H. Lepper, the builder, formerly a member of the Folkestone Town Council, who has the overlooking of the Ashley Park Estate. He at once “downed tools,” being “full of the strange affair,” and at some personal inconvenience assisted our representative in his efforts.
Mr. Rolfe, on being interviewed, said:- “It was about six weeks ago that I started on the dug out for Mr. Jacques, and during that time I have gone through experiences which you would hardly credit. All my life, as my friends know, I have laughed at such things as spiritualism – dismissed them as impossible. What I have seen during this remarkable period does not now convince me as to theis form of belief, but it does make me think – it makes me realise that there is a hidden force that I cannot account for. I have reason to know it.”
Mr. Rolfe went on to say that during the time he had been at the work he had been assisted by a boy named Penfold, who belonged to Peene, near Newington. Giving a few instances of what had occurred, Mr. Rolfe said on one occasion a large stone from quite another part of the dug out hit him on the crown of the head, causing a cut (the wound is still visible); on another occasion he received a violent blow on his hand, and again blood was fetched. Then a missile thrown by some unknown agency struck him with violence on his right ear. Through this he was obliged to leave off work in order to have the abrasion fomented.
Strange, too, was his description of how candles were blown out. There is but little air down in the dug out, as it is several feet below the surface. Mr. Rolfe said the candles were repeatedly extinguished by air and sand, accompanied by a short “whizz” such as would proceed from a pea-shooter. On several occasions pieces of rock varying from eight to twenty pounds in weight were hurled from one position to another.
The lad Penfold declares that he saw the stones lift themselves perhaps an inch, then drop again; then about three inches and drop once more. Then they would lift themselves and fall some feet away. On another occasion there was a heap of stones at one place, and soon after these would “fly of themselves” to another position. There were bricks on the floor. These lifted apparently and were hurled to other positions.
Referring particularly to the stones Mr. Rolfe said: “Often these did not come in a striaght line, but took a semi-circular course. I am sore and bruised all over now with the blows I received from the stones and rocks. In fact, it became so ‘warm’ down there that, although I determined to stick it through, I said to Mr. Jacques at the end of one day ‘I really can’t put up with it any longer.’ Well, I had two days off, and then, after consideration, I determined to finish the job. On starting again everything went well for a couple of days. After this things became worse. Stones and rocks commenced to fly about, so much so that an iron stove and iron pipe were smashed to pieces. Then, to crown it all, a short bricklayer’s hammer weighing about 4lbs. in weight threw itself towards me. The boy Penfold shouted ‘Look out. Perhaps the sledge hammer will move.’ Hardly had the boy uttered the words than the sledge hammer weighing 14lbs., came over and dropped near with a thud.”
Our representative who had stolidly listened to the foregoing, could not resist a smile, but Mr. Rolfe, apparently noticing this, continued: “That is not all. The pickaxe, lying in quite another part of the structure, came for me too, in an ominous manner. There were three chairs, too, on the floor of the dug-out, and these danced and flew about in the most extraordinary style. If some of those weighty stones had fallen on me, probably I should not be here now.” Eventually he abandoned the job altogether.
After reciting other details and remarking that his story was corroborated in parts by others, Mr. Rolfe added that he decided to lay the whole matter before Mr. T. Hesketh, the Engineer-Manager of the Electricity Supply Works, and ask him if the strange happenings could be attributed to electricity. It cannot be said that Mr. Hesketh is a gentleman who would lend himself to any absurdity, or to any fairy tale that came along. Mr. Hesketh, after listening to Mr. Rolfe’s straightforward story andinspecting the dug-out, confessed that he felt himself to be in the presence of an unseen, unknown, and intangible power. He was so impressed with all that he had heard and seen that he subsequently proceeded to London and interviewed the creator of “Sherlock Holmes,” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Sir William Barrett, who, accompanied by Lady Doyle, arrived in Folkestone on Saturday. They proceeded to Enbrook Manor, where they were received by the owner. After an interesting conversation with Mr. Jacques, in which Sir Conan heard the accounts of those who had been connected with the work, and then made a thorough examination of the exterior and interior of the dug-out. So interested was Sir Conan that, in company with Lady Doyle, he visited the Manor House on the succeeding day (Sunday), Sir William Barrett also taking part in the enquiries and inspection. The results of their enquiries and deductions have, we understand, been laid before a learned society in London. It may be stated, too, that the great scientist, Sir Oliver Lodge, has been made conversant with the facts.
Our representative called at St. Marie, Quested-road, the home of Mr. Rolfe, where he had the pleasure of a long chat with Private E. F. Cummins, C.L.H., who, with his wife, has apartments at Mr. Rolfe’s house. Pte. Cummins hails from Mac-Leod, Alberta, Canada, and is a frank and open Colonial. Asked by our representative what he knew of the occurrences referred to, he at once said:
“When Mr. Rolfe first came home and related his experiences I suggested that his mental state was out of order and that he ought to seek medical advice. However, such was the persistency of his story, which, with variations, was the same day after day, that I determined to endeavour to gain some experience. I offered to give Mr. Rolfe a hand, and he accepted. Accordingly I visited the dug-out, with the intention of helping my friend out of a difficulty. I did not have to wait long. Rocks started to shift about, and if they had fallen on me I should undoubtedly have “gone west.” It was impossible to keep candles alight. Time after time a short puff of air, accompanied by a ‘zizzing’ sound, blew them out. I was standing in a certain position when a great lump of sand, which appeared to be thrown with great force, hit me in the nape of my neck. Who threw it or where it came from I do not know. Again, I was stooping at the work when a large stone with great force struck me in the thigh, to be followed by another, which hit me in the same spot. There were other incidents which enable me to corroborate Mr. Rolfe in every way. I can assure you I have had enough of the place (the dug-out), and shall give it a wide berth. All my life I had set my face against spooks or spiritualism, and so I do now. But I do know that I have seen and experienced a hidden force which I cannot explain. Sir A. Conan Doyle had a long chat with me, and listened to all I had to relate with a sympathetic interest. What I have told you is God’s truth, and I am prepared to swear it on a pyramid of Bibles.”
It may be also mentioned that a domestic in the employ of Mr. Jacques was also the witness of strange happenings.
Our representative concluded by visiting the dug-out, Mr. Jacques courteously acceding to his request that he might do so. That gentleman and Mr. Lepper accompanied him to the depths below. Nothing, however, of an untoward nature occurred on this occasion. The excavation is no doubt admirable for the purpose for which it is intended. It is well constructed to hold perhaps a dozen people. What are the forces that brought about these occurrences? Perhaps in time we shall have Sir Arthur Doyle’s and Sir W.F. Barrett’s considered opinion.
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald. Saturday 1st December 1917.
The Cheriton Phenomena.
An article headed “Spooks at Cheriton” appears on another page of this issue of “The Herald.” The account of the phenomenal occurrences which are described as having taken place in the excavation in the grounds of Enbrook Manor seems almost incredible, but it must be admitted that this is obviously no ordinary fairy tale. The matter has been enquired into by persons of substance and standing, not to say common sense, and in their opinion it is entitled to serious attention. In their view the phenomena are attributable to some intangible power beyond the ken of the finite human mind. Once more we are reminded of the lines in “Hamlet”: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
As above.
Another Folkestone ‘Fiery Serpent.’
Cave dweller spooks!
Folkestone in the past was the reputed origin of some strange myths of which the fiery serpent is a sample, but there seem to be some living Folkestonians who have discovered something quite as extraordinary! The following strange story appeared in the “Folkestone Express” last week:-
“The Haunted Dug-out.
Amazing happenings at Cheriton.
Flying rocks and floating tools.
A series of amazing happenings are reproted from Cheriton. We content ourselves at present with briefly recounting the experiences of those who say they have actually seen these things.
Mr Fred Rolfe, of 27, Quested Rd., Cheriton, commenced to build for Mr. Jacques, J.{.., of Enbrook Manor, Cheriton, a dug-out in the grounds of the Manor about seven weeks ago. Everything went well until he encountered a rock about eighteen inches in thickness. As soon as he broke this his troubles commenced. The first day he could not keep his candles alight, for they were continually being extinguished by little jets of sand which came down from the direction of the roof. It was impossible for this sand to come from the roof which had been timbered, the spaces between the wood being cemented. The sand apparently had come from the floor. After he had wasted a box of matches, he prepared a cardboard box to protect the candle, leaving a little hole about two inches wide to show the light. Still the sand came down in little jets and extinguished the light. Next candles were placed in wide-mouthed jam-jars, and pieces of stone came down and smashed the jars. Then stones began to come at Mr. Rolfe from unknown sources, and he was hit twelve times on the head and forty times on various parts of his body. His head was cut open, his ear badly cut, and he was bruised on his back, his arms and his legs. He put up sheets of material to protect himself.
When excavating a recess stones began to fly out with terrific force, and in such numbers that Mr. Rolfe and his boy, Fred Penfold, were driven out. In less than haf-an-hour, more than a barrow-load of stones had been thrown with immense force to the end of the dug-out nine or ten feet away. Some smashed an iron stone and a long piece of iron piping. He next made a door completely blocking up the recess, placing large stones along the bottom. The same day he was at the other end of the dug-out when he felt something touch his leg, and, on looking down, saw a stone weighing fifteen or twenty pounds roll round in front of him, immediately followed by three others. On examining them he found they were the stones which he had placed against the door in the morning. Next day some loose bricks began to fly about in his direction. Mr. Jacques’ housekeeper says she saw bricks flying out through the exit.
Other weird and uncanny happenings are described by Mr. Rolfe as follows:- “On another occasion we took down a brazier full of red hot coal. A very few minutes afterwards a big stone came up against it and scattered the whole thing. I have seen a pick rise from the ground and float along and go through the exit; also a large sledge-hammer, and likewise a chair and a glass jar float along. A brick which had been on the ground came up and touched my cap. Once a lighted candle was seen to slide along the wall and extinguish itself as it fell to the ground, and a brick which was on the wall to protect a candle came and rested on my shoulder.”
Sir A. Conan Doyle and Lady Doyle and Sir William Barrett have visited the dug-out, but no manifestations took place. Nor did Mr. Jacques see anything, although he heard stones banging against the door. However, Mr. Hesketh has seen some slight “activity.”
First-hand evidence also comes from Pte. E. F. Cumins, Canadian Cavalry, who has been hit, and says that he has seen an iron bar three feet long and about an inch round float from the middle of the dug-out to the exit.
We have in our possession complete statements from Mr. Rolfe and Pte. Cummins, the truth of which they are both prepared to attest on oath.”
Dover Express, Friday 7th December 1917.
“Spook” Cave Dwellers.
Weird and Mysterious Happenings.
A responsible correspondent, says the “Morning Post,” sends us the following remarkable narrative, which we publish as received:-
There have been weird and mysterious happenings at Cheriton, Kent, and for their explanation Sir A. Conan Doyle and Sir William F. Barrett, ex-president of the Society for Psychical Research, have been consulted.
An excavation in the form of a cave has been made in the grounds of Enbrook Manor, the residence of Mr H.P. Jacques, a County Justice and Chairman of the Urban District Council. The work had been entrusted to Mr F. W. Rolfe, a builder, who himself was formerly a member of the Cheriton Council. A roomy cavern had been cut out when strange, uncanny, and alarming things happened.
Mr Rolfe has given a detailed account of his experiences. He states that on one occasion a large stone hit him on the crown of the head, causing a cut (the wound is still visible); on another occasion he received a violent blow on his hand, and again blood was drawn. Then a missile struck him with violence on his right ear. Candles were repeatedly extinguished by air and sand to the accompaniment of a whizzing sound. On several occasions pieces of rock varying from eight to twenty pounds in weight were hurled from one position to another.
A kid named Penfold, working with him, states that he saw the stones lift themselves perhaps an inch, then drop once more. Then they would lift themselves and fall some feet away. On another occasion there was a heap of stones at one place, and these would “fly themselves” to another position. There were bricks on the floor. These rose apparently of their own volition and were hurled to other positions.
Referring particularly to the stones, Mr Rolfe said – “Often these did not come in a straight line, but took a semi-circular course. I am sore and bruised all over now with the blows I received from the stones and rocks. In fact, it became so ‘warm’ down there that although I determined to stick it through I said to Mr Jacques at the end of one day, ‘I really can’t put up with it any longer.’ Well, I had two days off, and then, after consideration, I determined to finish the job. On starting again everything went well for a couple of days. After this things became worse. Stones and rocks began to fly about, so much so that an iron stove and iron pipe were smashed to pieces. Then, to crown all, a short bricklayer’s hammer weighing about 4lb. in weight threw itself towards me. The boy Penfold shouted ‘Look out. Perhaps the sledge hammer will move.’ Hardly had the boy uttered the words than the sledge hammer weighing 14lb. came over and dropped near with a thud. That is not all. The pickaxe, lying in quite another part of the structure, came for me, too, in an ominous manner. There were three chairs, too, on the floor of the cave, and these danced and flew about in the most extraordinary style. If some of those weighty stones had fallen on me probably I should not be here now.”
A Canadian soldier who offered to give assistance to Mr Rolfe corroborates his statements, and says, – ” I can assure you I have had enough of the place, and shall give it a wide berth. I do know that I have seen and experienced a hidden force which I cannot explain. Sir A. Conan Doyle had a long chat with me, and listened to all I had to relate with a sympathetic interest.”
The matter was reported to Mr T. Hesketh, engineer-manager of the Folkestone Electricity Supply Works and it was through his action that Sir Arthur and Lady Conan Doyle and Sir William Barrett paid a visit to the excavation, and interviewed those who had actual experience of the occurrences. The opinion of Sir Oliver Lodge is also to be invited.
Corroborative evidence is also forthcoming from more than one member on the household staff of Mr Jacques.
Aberdeen Weekly Journal, 7th December 1917.
About The Neighbourhood.
By “Felix.”
Ghosts, Spring-heeled Jacks and the Like.
The alleged occult manifestations at Cheriton accomplished at least one good thing, if only temporarily – they made people forget the war. Wherever people congregated on Saturday or Sunday there you heard the question asked in various forms “What of that affair over at Cheriton?” or “What do you think of the Cheriton ghost?” Is there anything in it?” And so on. The problems of the war were forgotten for the time – they were swallowed up by “the Ghost,” or rather the story attached to it. Over many a Sunday dinner was there a smile, especially if the head of the family should be in the habit of wielding sledge hammers, pickaxes, and the like. Quarrymen were heard to remark that they would be glad to enlist the services of these stone lifting spooks, even for a few hours a day.
Some people would have it that genial Mr. Ewart Potter, the manager of the Pleasure Garden (who knows “some things” about advertising) had called up from “the vasty deep” the spirit of Ibsen, in order that the Norwegian poet should announce in this way that the great play of “Ghosts” would hold the boards at the Pleasure Gardens Theatre for a whole week, commencing on Monday last.This play, be it remembered, had been prohibited from being performed for twenty-three years. When the attention of Mr. Potter was called to the coincidence a broad smile passed over his countenance, and he gave a far away look which might be interpreted as meaning: Well draw your own conclusions.’
The Ashley Grange Ghost.
In the early part of last week ex-Councillor J. Lepper, who is agent for the Ashley Park Estate, kindly accompanied me in my quest for the principal actor in the “spook” drama at Enbrook Manor. He was kind enough to take me by a short route over ploughed fields and fencing to the residence of MR. Tom Turner, the engineer of the Water0works Company, where the man I wanted was employed on a structural alteration. During our walk Mr. Lepper was kind enough to inform me that “once upon a time,” as the fairy tales have it, a ghost “doomed for a certain time to walk the night” many years ago haunted Ashley Grange. This, the ex-Councillor informs me, was tenanted for a time by the great Sir John Moore, the hero of Corunna. (Hence, perhaps, the name of the locality “More-Hall.” That, however, is a side issue.) The Ashley Grange Ghost, however, is said by Mr. Lepper to have “kicked up such a row” that Sir John’s coachman, who was left at times in charge, was so disturbed night after night that he could obtain no sleep. In fact, he was so frightened that doubtless had he been acquainted with the ghost story in “Hamlet” he would have quoted the words: “And make each particular hair to stand on end / Like quills upon the fretful porcupine.”
The coachman, the story goes, was so “fed up” at last that he resigned his position.
Ashley Grange is a fine old house, with its splendid rooms and wide passages. It possesses, too, a remarkably large cellar, which will be used if required as a protection against the bomb throwers. The premises are now being used by the world-famed firm of Pickford as a furniture repository. The “ghost” no doubt is laid by this time, and all that remains of the shadowy figure is memory.
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald, Saturday 8th December 1917.
The Haunted Dug-Out
Full Evidence of Eye-Witnesses.
Is it Psychic Phenomena?
Some Possible Explanations.
On enquiry yesterday (Thursday) we were informed that there have been no further developments in the case of the “Haunted” Dug-Out at Cheriton, which has now been closed.
Nor has Sir Arthur Conan Doyle paid another visit, although we are credibly informed that he was deeply impressed with the evidence he collected, and holds the happenings well worthy of strict investigation from the point of view of the occult or the supernatural.
Meanwhile, the extraordinary stories, which have attained wide circulation, continue to be hotly debated. In elaboration of the article which appeared in the “Folkestone Express” last week, we publish below the full statements of Mr. Fred Rolfe and Private Cummins. We take no responsibility for these remarkable utterances beyond this – that the reports are faithful records of statements made to our representative by the gentlemen in question. While we are not among those who promptly reject as absurd and grotesque those things which, on superficial examination, would appear to savour of the supernatural, yet we would suggest that these “ghostly happenings” are capable of purely natural explanation. Leaving aside, for the moment, the possibility of human agency, miners and well-sinkers can quote almost parallel occurrences where the rending of rock has liberated gases which have extinguished lights and set flying pieces of stone. It has been asserted that the Spirit of the Dug-out, or whatever the hidden force was, acted upon suggestion. That fact strongly favours the contention that not a playful obliging ghost, but human agency was at work, although in what way it is as yet a little difficult to say. Geology and youthful mischief appeal to reason before the occult, and may possibly explain the whole thing, yet even so. It is hard to reconcile certain occurrences. However, tempus omnia revelat.
The Evidence.
The statement of Mr. Fred Rolfe, of 27, Quested Road, Cheriton, as told in his own words, is as follows:
“I was commissioned by Mr. Jacques to build a dug-out in the grounds of Enbrook Manor. I started the work seven weeks ago, and everything went quite all right until I reached a point about half-way through the actual dug-out chamber, which is 17 feet in length, and is excavated under the green-house. When I arrived at this point I came across an enormous rock about 18 inches thick. I found it broke away in large pieces through vertical fissures. As soon as I struck this particular bed of rock all my troubles commenced. The first day I could not keep my candles alight. They were continually being extinguished by little jets of sand which came in a downward direction from the roof. I examined the roof several times to try to ascertain where the sand came from, but without result, for the roof had been timbered and the cracks between the wood cemented. I then examined the sand which had collected round the candles, and found it was clean sand from the roof. After using about a box of matches I thought I had had enough of that kind of thing, so I prepared a card-board box with a little slit about two inches wide for that light to shine through. This was to protect the candle, but it made no difference: the sand got in it the same way every time.
This continued for several days until I got through the entire excavation and opened both ends, letting the daylight in. Then stones began to come at me from unknown sources. A dozen times an hour, stones would whiz by me or hit me in the back or on the head. I frequently examined the stones to see where they came from, but never found the source. The boy who was with me – Fred Penfold – was always in front of me, and was under observation. It is important to note that. The stones always came from behind me, and I had to put up sheets to protect myself. I had my head cut open and blood flowed freely. My ear was cut, and also my hand (you can see the marks now) and I had great bruises on my back, my arms, and my legs, which sometimes almost crippled me.
Flying Stones.
“After finishing the entrance end by building with brick-work, I commenced to go further in on the south side, in order to make a recess in the dug-out still following the bed of rock. About half-an-hour afterwards stones began to fly from it with terrific force and in large numbers, so much so that the boy and I were driven out, as it was most unsafe to stay there. In less than half-an-hour more than a barrow-load of stones had been thrown with immense force to the end of the dug-out which is nine or ten feet away. This went on for about a day and a half. Deciding not to go on further with the recess, I made a big door completely to cover in this recess and block the whole thing in, putting two shores against the top and the stones which had come out along the bottom.
The same afternoon I was at the other end of the dug-out, which was unfinished, when suddenly I felt something touch my leg. I looked down and saw a stone weighing about 15 or 20 lbs. roll in front of my feet, immediately followed by three others in the same way. On examining them I found they were the stones which I had piled up against the door in the morning. The boy, who was standing at the opposite side of the dug-out, saw them come. I was pointing out to him that these stones had come from there, when a big shower of them started to come rapidly, some flying to the roof and some striking the wall near me with great force. The boy ran up the steps and I sprang up the exit passage to escape them. This continued for about half-an-hour, and it was much too dangerous to attempt to get into the dug-out. When I eventually got down, after things had become quieter, I found on examination that the whole of the stones I had piled against the door to the recess were lying all over the dug-out, the greater number by the wall where I had been working. I had the curtains up, but the stones soon knocked these away.
“Next day loose bricks which I had brought down to build the walls with started to fly about in my direction, coming at such a rate that I was forced to return to the exit. Mr. Jacques’ housekeeper saw bricks flying out through the exit. At that time the boy was standing at the top of the steps at the other end of the dug-out.”
Astounding Statements.
If all the foregoing is extraordinary, what follows is more so. Let the reader bear in mind that the story is not ours, but that of Mr. Rolfe, told in his own words and with sincerity.
“During the big discharge of stones,” he said, “some turned a right-angled corner and broke an iron stove to pieces and also six feet of iron piping. On another occasion we had a brazier full of red-hot fire, and in a very few minutes a big stone came against it and scattered the whole thing. I have seen with my own eyes a pick rise from the ground and float along and go through the exit. I have also seen a large sledge-hammer, a chair and a glass jar float along.
A short while ago I was putting timbers up to form the room within three feet of the end of the dug-out and had two lighted candles standing on the wall. Suddenly, there came the usual whiz and the discharge of sand, and out went the candles. I lighted them five times in about as many minutes. Getting tired of this, I went to the house and procured two wide-mouthed jam-jars, and- dropping some grease in the bottom of each, stuck in the candles and lighted them. Immediately there came the usual whiz, and sand fell all round the candles, covering the bottom of the jars to a depth of about half-an-inch, but not extinguishing the light. I said to the boy ‘We have done it this time,’ and almost before I had finished speaking two stones came and smashed the jars. The boy tells me he has seen stones rise from the ground and drop over into the exit. A brick which was on the ground came over my head: I felt it touch my cap. Once I saw a lighted candle slide along the wall and then fall to the floor extinguishing itself. A brick which was placed on the wall to protect a candle came and rested on my shoulder. I placed a sack of straw on the bricks, thinking this might keep them down. This rose up, as also did a heavy piece of wood.”
A vigorous cross-examination failed to shake Mr. Rolfe in any particular of his astonishing story. Before these happenings he was an uncompromising sceptic on all matters involving spiritism, spooks and occultism; now he is not so sure. He has been brought hard up against things which he can neither understand nor explain, and well – so far as we are concerned, there is his story which our readers can receive or reject it as they like.
A Soldier’s Adventures.
Corroborative testimony comes from Pte. E. F. Cummins, Canadian Cavalry, who with his wife, is living with Mr. Rolfe at Quested Road. He made the following statement to a representative of the “Folkestone Express”:
“I am dead against spiritualism, but what I have experienced proves to me there is some force or power which is as yet unknown, but which has proved itself to me to be unlimited. Mr. Rolfe had been at work on this dug-out for about five weeks, and had told me some extraordinary stories which were very hard to believe, although I did not want to doubt him. For my own satisfaction, I aksed permission to visit the dug-out.
“My first experience was to go down with Mr. Rolfe into the dug-out on Monday, Nov. 19th, and we had hardly been there three minutes when four rocks were thrown down from a pile six feet away from the top of the flight of 17 steps leading to the entrance to the dug-out. The first was about the size of your fist, and crashed right against the wall. The second, weighing about 20 lbs struck the steps about two-third of the way down, smashing a brick in the steps, and then striking hard against the wall. The third, weighing about the same, acted in a similar way. The fourth came down with great force accompanied by a sound as of a rifle-shot, and burst in fragments against the wall.
“On Tuesday, November 20th, I went down again with Mr. Rolfe’s boy named Fred Penfold. I stood a candle on a box, expecting a ‘demonstration’ after what Mr. Rolfe had told me about the way his candle had been extinguished. Nothing, however, happened in this respect, but I myself was struck twice on the hip with two different rocks which afterward fell at my feet. The blows were fairly hard, but the effect was as though I had been struck much harder, and I felt the effects for three days.
The Mystery of the Candles.
“A part of the dug-out which had been very ‘active’ with Mr. Rolfe, and on which he declined to work further, had been boarded up. I asked and obtained permission to go on with this, and forthwith pulled away the boards. This part almost immediately became ‘active’. There were three candles burning, and Mr. Rolfe’s candle was put out repeatedly, and up to this time one of mine was occasionally extinguished. Three times Mr. Rolfe’s candle was not entirely extinguished with sand, but immediately afterwards was put out by a rock which came with a sharp crack. The sand came down (as it always did) at an angle of about ninety degrees. There is no sand to be gathered either from the roof or walls, and must therefore have been taken up from the ground and shot down as though from a pea-shooter, coming with a kind of a ‘whiz.’ Then the three candles were extinguished immeidately, one after another, leaving us in the dark. Rock of considerable size were thrown out from the place where I was working. We all scrambled for the door, but none of us was hit. Later on we returned to the dug-out to clear out the stuff which I had excavated, and every time I took a shovel-ful, which I threw up to Mr. Rolfe, the stones trickled (without any human agency) along the floor in the direction of where Mr. Rolfe was standing.
We called Mr. Jacques down, as great ‘demonstrations’ were going on, and thought it would be a good opportunity for him to witness them. Upon his arrival, however, everything ceased. He waited 20 minutes. Immediately upon his leaving the place, and before he had hardly got through the approach to the dug-out, the activity was renewed, and we called him down again. For the second time it ceased. After that the rocks flew round considerably, and about a third of a brick hit me on the foot a glancing blow. Had it struck me full it would have badly damaged my foot. A little while after this the boy was sitting down on the ground when a large rock came from the excavation right between us and struck some boards, rebounding on to the boy’s shin, causing him quite a lot of pain, although he had leggings on. The blow left a considerable bruise.
When walking out from the dug-out the rocks followed me and came up against Mr. Rolfe’s spade. Previous to this I was standing with my back to the wall, and not a foot away from the wall, when I was struck on the back of the neck with loose sand which came in a body with such foce that had it been hard material it would have knocked me out. I saw an iron bar three feet long and about an inch in circumference, float from the middle of the dug-out to the emergency exit. This was also seen by Mr. Rolfe.
“I have no explanation at all to offer for these extraordinary occurrences, the thing being entirely inexplicable to me. At the same time these happenings seem to give me a distinct message ‘ You are not wanted here.’ If they have been caused by human agency, whoever has done it has Maskelyne and Cook’s beat to a frazzle.”
Folkestone Express, Sandgate, Shorncliffe and Hythe Advertiser, Saturday 8th December 1917.
Cheriton Cave “Spooks.”
Alleged “Confession” Denied.
Builder and Canadian Adhere to their Story.
Various London papers last week end devoted a good deal of space to the Cheriton “spooks” story. Sir William Fletcher Barrett, a former President of the Society for Psychical Research, speaking to a representative of “The Weekly Dispatch,” said: “I went down to Cheriton and found sufficient to convince me that some very untoward and mysterious thing had happened. Whether the cause is a psychical one I am not yet prepared to say. I have interviewed all the people concerned int he matter, and have taken shorthand notes of their evidence. I shall probably go down again to try and get at the bottom of it all.”
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stated to a “Weekly Dispatch” representative that he had found unmistakable evidence of some extraordinary occurrence. “I saw the marks on the walls made by the stones,” said Sir Arthur, “although naturally enough nothing happened while I was there. You cannot make these things to order. I am getting the owner of the land to excavate around the dug-out to see if the phenomenon can be satisfactorily accounted for. I hope to go to Cheriton again in a few days’ time and make more complete investigation.”
In the early part of the week the report went round that the real “author” of the mysterious happenings was the boy Penfold, who was working for Mr. Rolfe. Being informed that it was Mr. W.H. Stephens, tailor, of Cheriton, who had solved the mystery, a “Herald” representative called to see him. In reply to questions Mr. Stephens said: “Mr. Rolfe came into my shop on the 23rd of November, and at his request I visited the dug out. Mr. Nicholls was with me. I went on working with Mr. Nicholls, anxious to give a hand to Mr. Rolfe, but at the same time we were out to discover the truth of the ‘yarn’ that had been going about. Soon sand commenced to fly about. Then afterwards I saw the lad secrete a piece of rock behind his waistcoat, apparently for some object. Then a strange thing happened.
Mr. Nicholls stood in one position, Mr. Rolfe was in another, and the boy in another. Mr. Nicholls asked me to come out of one exit (there are two exits in the place), and I agreed to do so. I suddenly turned round, and the boy not thinking I was going to do so, I got it full in the face. I said, ‘You young monkey. What do you mean.’ Penfold went down on his knees and cried ‘Save me, save me.’ I continued, ‘It’s you who have been illtreating your master.’ The boy replied ‘Now you’ve got me. I’m up to everything.’ Mr. Rolfe immediately looked round, and said something, but added: ‘I don’t think he did all this.’ Thus prompted the boy replied ‘No, I didn’t do it all.’ Subsequently I asked Mr. Rolfe to bring the boy to Mr. Jacques, but he refused.
“The Herald” representative next interviewed the boy Penfold, who, on being informed what Mr. Stephens had stated said: “I did confess that I threw the said [sand?] at Mr. Stephens, but that is all. All the rest that has been stated is the truth.”
Mr. F. W. Rolfe and Private Cummins C.E.F., have since had their attention called to the allegation of Mr. Stephens. Both Mr. Rolfe and the Canadian stoutly adhere to their original accounts, stating that they jointly and individually had the boy Penfold under complete observation during the greater part of the time when the strange things occurred, and that the sand thrown of [at?] Mr. Stephens was an isolated act in illustration of what had recently happened. Pte. Cummins added that he had made a sworn statement of the affair before a commissioner of oaths.
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald, Saturday 8th December 1917.
“The Cheriton Mystery.” By N.G.S.
The accounts of the “poltergeist” performances at Cheriton, appearing recently in the papers, exhibit the lay press in its usual attitude of never having heard of anything of the sort before. This attitude is probably quite honest; for the ignorance of the Press and of all our self-appointed critics is only surpassed by their assurance. But readers of ‘Light’ know well that these curious disturbances are very old and world-wide. Sir William Barrett gives several cases in his “Psychical Research,” and ends his account with a confession of bafflement and perplexity. But in all these I do not find that the simplest method of investigation was ever employed. It is obvious that no research into matters of this kind can be complete unless some means are used for getting into touch with the poltergeist himself.
The discovery and investigation of an “unknown force in Nature” will not carry us far. The character of the disturbances shows clearly the action of an intelligent operator. Objects are thrown with definite aim; and sometimes they are not thrown, but show by their movement that “someone” is carrying them. Feet have been heard pattering along the passage. Clearly the assistance of a psychometrist, a clairvoyant, or an automatist is “indicated.” We want a message from the poltergeist. (The psychical powers of the boy Penfold should be tested in the Cheriton case.)
One of Sir William Barrett’s stories comes from ancient Greece. The poltergeist has been met with as far away as South Africa and India. In the case I have in mind, a girl at Kimberley was said to have had a spell cast over her by a Malay with whom she had had a love affair. Her food and the blankets on her bed would catch fire, and things were thrown about in the usual manner. Sir William Barrett mentions the Drummer of Tedworth, and seems to suggest that the phenomena were connected with the arrest of a vagrant drummer by the magistrate at whose house they occurred. Some years ago I visited a cottage in Herefordshire, where a “racketting ghost” had been playing its pranks for a week. By that time they had ceased, and the tenant’s wife told me a gipsy had come to the cottage and informed her that the mischief was caused by the mother-in-law, who was still alive, practising witchcraft against them. The gipsy, it appears, had performed some sort of exorcism, and the pots and pans resumed their usual quiet demeanour.
Is it possible that we have here genuine cases of witchcraft surviving into the twentieth century? One thing everyone will have noticed. The poltergeist is mischievous, even malicious, but not murderous. He will break your crockery and pull the clothes off your bed, he will cut off your hair, he will throw bricks at you and cause you wounds, but he will not kill you. If he is a demon, he is not an utterly abandoned demon. I think sometimes he is just a spirit who unflatteringly and unaccountably prefers your room to your company. Perhaps you may be preparing a dug-out and disturbing his bones. I wish to emphasise this: that the agent is not a new and mysterious “force” but a person – a spirit of some kind – either a double of the living, a psychic body of the dead or a sub-human entity, of nature as yet unknown. The objects are not attracted to you by an obscure form of magnetism, but thrown with hands.
Light, 22nd December 1917.
The Cheriton “Spooks.”
Elucidation Theory.
With regard to the recent strange occurrences reported to have taken place at an excavation in the grounds of Enbrook Manor, Cheriton, Mr. H.P. Jacques, J.P., states that he has been told that similar phenomena are experienced in other parts of the world when excavating similar rocks, and that when natives are employed they invariably attribute the disturbances to sinister influences and refuse to work. This is the experience of a well-known mining engineer.
A local geological expert states that it is just possible that the rock contains a large amount of what is termed quarry sap, and that it is also of uneven density, so that if it rapidly dries pieces are easily detached, the disintegration taking place when drier or damper air is suddenly allowed to come into contact with it. This, he thinks, is possibly the explanation of the remarkable happenings which have recently received so much publicity, and have been the subject of a great deal of speculation.
Cheriton Cave “Spooks.”
To the Editor.
Sir. – With reference to your article entitled ‘Spooks at Cheriton,’ in your issue of the 1st inst. it may interest you to know the scientific reason for this apparently inexplicable phenomena, as explained in “Life Understood,” by F. L. Rawson. It is there very clearly pointed out that as matter is a concept of thought, a man can cause matter to appear or disappear. This is not always done by means of the conscious mind, but often by means of the subconscious mind. This is one of the reasons for spiritualistic phenomena. When a man appears to see his father or grandfather who has passed on, what really happens is that as the subconscious mind knows everything, past, present, and future, what he sees is, not a departed spirit, but a materialised thought.
To quote exactly from “Life Understood,” we read: “The subconscious mind or basic false ‘mentality’ of the material man is always in ethereal touch with every thought in the material world, past present, and future, and a mixed medley of ethereal thoughts of every kind and description, with and without any logical sequence or benefit to mankind, are intensified on the so-called ‘mind’ of the medium until they are manifested more materially in the form of what are called the spirits or the flowers or other things that these spirits are supposed to bring or produce. Thoughts are also similarly intensified, so that you may hear what sounds like the voice of a human being, or see the vision of the past or future.”
M.H.T.
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald.
Cheriton “Gas Spooks”.
Investigation by government expert.
Phenomena attributable to natural gas.
An interesting report concerning the phenomena manifested in the dugout in the grounds of Enbrook Manor, Cheriton, the residence of Mr H P Jacques, J.P., in November last, is now to hand. At the time, it will be remembered, there was a tendency in some quarters to cast discredit on the statements regarding the extraordinary happenings, and it was suggested that a boy working with Mr Rolfe was the “author” of the phenomena. The last laugh is certainly not with the sceptics.
The matter was brought before the notice of Sir Boverton Redwood, Director of Technical Investigation, His Majesty’s Petroleum Executive, who gave instructions to Mr E R Cunningham Craig to investigate and report. The latter’s report substantially confirms the remarkable story which was published in “The Herald” at the time, the phenomena being attributable to natural gas. The report is as follows: –
(Copy). On the 10 December I proceeded to Enbrook Manor to investigate the phenomena to which Lieut.-Colonel Todhunter had called attention, and this report deals with the evidence obtained. It will be recollected that the occurrences had attracted some notice in the daily Press, and the accounts of eye-witnesses were given at length.
A dug-out was being made in the grounds of the Manor, and after a certain depth had been reached stones were thrown about violently for no reason that the workman could discover, occasionally inflicting injuries upon them. Super-natural agencies were suggested, and both Sir Conan Doyle and Sir W.F. Barrett have visited the dug-out, though no statement as to what conclusion they arrived at has been made.
Lieut-Colonel Todhunter suggested that the phenomena might be due to an evolution of natural gas, and consequently I undertook at your suggestion to investigate the matter. I was accompanied by Major A. de Boissiere of the British West Indies Regiment, as a second observer might have been necessary.
The dug-out and the surrounding ground were carefully inspected, and the builder and his assistant cross-examined, and asked to show exactly what had taken place on different occasions. The dug-out has a cover of only nine feet and the surrounding ground, though not actually flat, shows only small minor undulations. The possibility of the phenomena being due to the effect of unequal pressures must therefore be eliminated.
The strata, as far as I could ascertain, belong to the Sandgate Beds or Folkestone Beds, subgroups of the Lower Greensand beneath the Gault. There is a general dip to the North-north-east, but the strata are almost horizontal at this locality, which lies on the northern flank of the great Weald Anticline. The strata cut through consist of coarse lightly comported sand with thin hard calcareous bands at frequent intervals. It was after, and while, cutting through one of these hard bands, now about two feet above the floor that the phenomena were noticed. Pieces of the hard band were projected violently, sometimes striking the brick walls and making distinct abrasions. Sand also was discharged with some violence, and is said to have extinguished the naked candles, by the light of which the work was being done.
The accounts of these phenomena given by the builder and his assistant have been repeated many times to newspaper reporters and other persons, and have quite naturally become gradually embellished with picturesque details not strictly accurate, but probably believed by the raconteurs.
It is admitted, however, that in the morning, on beginning work after the dug-out had been shut up all night, the violent discharge of stones and sand was more in evidence than after some hours of work.
At the time of my visit the dug-out was practically finished, the floor, which had been flooded during a rainstorm, had been puddled and was stamped firm and flat. Only in the alcove were the strata seen, and there were no manifestations of activity.
All the statements made that could be verified point to the occurrence of natural gas, which, possibly ascending gradually from a considerable depth has accumulated beneath the hard and impervious bands of rock. The discharge of comparatively small quantities of gas would probably be quite sufficient to cause most of the phenomena described, but it is more probable that slight explosions, not necessarily accompanied by any loud sound or well-marked flame, may have taken place also.
The gas, being no doubt chiefly Methane, would not betray its presence by odour, and an explosion in the absence of anything like coal-dust would hardly be visible as flame. There seemed to be slight traces of gas still left in crannies at the entrance to the alcove.
The occurrence of natural gas in such strata is by no means extraordinary. The structure is anticlinal, and not many miles away, at Heathfield, natural gas has been struck in a well, drilled, it is true, somewhat nearer to the crest of the anticline, and penetrating into rather older strata.
It is unlikely that any great evolution of gas will take place again unless the dug-out be deepened, but it is quite possible that a little may collect gradually, and unless the dug-out be kept well ventilated – a very simple matter owing to the two entrances – it might be dangerous to enter it with a naked light after it had been left, shut up and undisturbed for some time. It is suggested that the owner (Mr Jacques) should be warned of this possibility.
(Sgd.) E.R. Cunningham Craig.
Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate and Cheriton Herald, 9th February 1918.
The Folkestone Poltergeist.
The Journal of the Society for Psychical Research for April-May, 1918, contains a full account of the disturbances at the dug-out at Cheriton, Folkestone, which was reported to the Society in November last, by Mr Thomas Hesketh, M.I.E.E., the chief engineer of the Folkestone Electricity Works. As we came into rather close touch with the matter at the time we gave an account of it in these columns, basing some of our statements on reports received from Mr Hesketh himself.
Lack of space and other difficulties forbid our giving anything like a full summary of the matter as presented in the Journal of the S.P.R., and the main facts have already been published. We confine ourselves, therefore, to quoting from the various statements in support of the three several theories:
- That the phenomena were due to a supernormal cause, e.g. a poltergeist.
- That they were all produced by the boy Penfold who assisted Rolfe the builder.
- That they were the result of the escape of natural gas.
In support of the poltergeist theory we have the testimony of Sir William Barrett, who visited the place and who points out that the evidence given by the different witnesses independently is coincident with accounts of poltergeist phenomena, being of the usual erratic, purposeless and transitory nature. “The disturbances generally centre round some living person, who appears to act as the medium, but they are not confined to his person when once they have started, although they are limited to the special locality where they originated.” We quote from Sir William’s introductory statement, which is followed by the testimony of Mr Hesketh, who describes in detail the curious circumstances which led to his investigation of the matter. He saw some of the disturbances, the throwing about of pieces of rock, one of which struck Rolfe, the builder, on the hand. A cautious and impartial witness, he tells how on the following day he went to London and saw Sir William Barrett, who came to Folkestone, and with him (Mr Hesketh) examined the witnesses, and he adds, “To my own experience I attach little importance as evidence. It undoubtedly could have been the act of trickery, but taking all the facts into account I do not think that it was.”
Next we have the statement of Mr R.P. Jacques, the owner of the estate on which the excavations were made. He describes how he went to the dug-out, after the workmen had left, to inspect the work, and while inside heard several stones strike the door and also the wall adjacent to the door. He satisfied himself that no person was near. Mr Rolfe, the builder, gives a long account of the persecution to which he was subjected – a bombardment of stones large and small, the throwing about of various heavy objects, the “hovering” of a brick over his head, and the mysterious movement of a club hammer from place to place. There was also a stove weighing “anything up to a hundredweight” which was instantaneously and silently translated from one part of the dug-out to another. Penfold, the boy, makes his contribution to the testimony, mentioning the “little puffs” of sand by which lighted candles were repeatedly put out. He also confirms a statement by the builder regarding a piece of timber of about seven feet long which jumped out of the hole. This piece of timber, it is noted by Mr Rolfe in his statement, was too large for the boy to have thrown up in the instantaneous way in which it ascended; and Sir William Barrett, in his introduction, points out that it would have needed a giant’s strength to fling the plank from the bottom of the dug-out, fifteen feet up through the exit, and lodge it in the branch of a big shrub opposite.
Miss Thomas, cook to Mr Jacques, testifies to looking down into the dug-out when the boy was at the top and there seeing bricks jumping about. One jumped up the ladder towards Mr. Rolfe, who was near the top, and falling back was broken to pieces. Miss Thomas describes also the painful injuries sustained by Mr Rolfe owing to the battering he underwent while at work. Then we have Private Cummings, a soldier, who confirms many of the previous statements as an eye-witness. Amongst the things he saw was the flying of a rock of some nine or ten pounds in weight, which, hurling itself between him and the boy, “struck the wall opposite and rebounded, hitting the boy’s shin, causing him great pain.”
These are a rough selection from the statements supporting the supernormal theory. We turn next to those which point to the boy as the agent of the mischief.
Mr W.H. Stephens, military tailor, of Cheriton, tells how he heard of the queer proceedings at the dug-out and suspected that the boy was the culprit. He went down to the dug-out and watched the boy narrowly, with the result that he “got a big wad of sand right in my face which I was just in time to see the boy in the attitude of throwing.” He turned on the boy, who dropped on his knees and said, “Forgive me, I am sorry. Now you have found me out I will own up to it all.” Mr Rolfe, who was present, said, “I don’t believe he has done it all,” whereupon, says Mr Stephens, “the boy at once contradicted himself and said, ‘No, I haven’t done it all, only once or twice.'”
Lastly we have a report and subsequent statement by Mr E.H. Cunningham Craig, who finds a sufficient explanation of the affair in the occurrence of natural gas. He has come across quite as remarkable instances before. He thinks it possible that the boy may have “assisted” the phenomena, and he notes that Major de Boissiere, who accompanied him in his inspection, was “impressed by the mischievous twinkle in the boy Penfold’s eye.” He is at variance with Sir William Barrett on the gas question. Sir William detected no signs of methane or other inflammable gas. On the evidence the gas theory is a wholly untenable one. Gas explosions, if they took place at all, would not draw rocks into the dug-out, nor select heavy hammers in place of lighter objects to hurl about. It is a pity that no sample of gas was taken for analysis at the time, for, though Mr Hesketh has since analysed samples and found no trace of any hydro-carbon, it is obvious that this cannot prove that gas did not then exist.
Such is the story in brief. Reviewing it, we note peculiarities that seem to have characterised almost all the cases of supernormal phenomena of a physical kind which have come up for investigation by a mixed tribunal during the last thirty years. It is quite a typical example, and the psychological elements jump to the eye of the trained investigator, who may see, for instance, the true significance of the boy’s action in “assisting” the manifestations when in the presence of a hostile observer who was endeavouring to terrorise him. For several reasons we are on the side of the poltergeist theory. It is not a supernatural explanation, as Mr Cunningham Craig suggests. It is just as natural as, but a good deal rarer than, the pranks of “the soaring human boy” or the vagaries of natural gas. She is a “rum ‘un,” is Nature, as Mr Squeers observed. Yet her manifestations in the way of poltergeists are after all not more strange or mysterious than the workings of the average human mind when confronted with something outside of that little circle of ideas to which it has been accustomed, and to which it clings as tenaciously as the drowning man to a straw.
Light, v.38, June 1st 1918.