Is it a ghost knocking on Inman’s house and picking on bedsprings?
Has a ghost made its appearance in Colusa? A.R. Inman, a mechanic employed at the Universal garage, doesn’t believe in ghosts, BUT –
He lives on Main street and he and his family and George Herrill have been hearing noises they cannot trace to natural causes. For example: On several occasions knocking was heard on the side of the house at night. First there would be a rat-tat-tat, something like a snare drum in action, and then would come a few hard thumps. Watch was kept, but nothing was seen. And a dog that permits no one to come in the yard was asleep right under the point where the ghostly noises were heard.
This is not all. Mr Inman said today the oddest part of the thing is that there is a peculiar “picking noise,” as if an attempt were being made to pick out a tune, on the springs in the bed occupied by Mr Herrill. The picking is never heard except at night when the lights are out. Sometimes it will go on for several minutes, then cease and after a while start up again.
A number of people have heard the knocking on the house and the picking on the bed springs, and no one can offer a solution.
The other night Mr Inman thought sure he had discovered the cause. There was a fearful racket out in his chicken house and he investigated, only to find a drunken man had fallen in the coop and couldn’t get out. “I’m pinched for chicken stealin’ and I’m innocent,” he groaned. “I ain’t stealin’. I’m only drunk.” Inman released him and sent him on his way. And the “ghost” remained.
Colusa Herald, 1st April 1922.