A Danish Ghost.
A correspondent sends us, apropos of the “Yanyarrie ghost,” the following translation from a German paper: – “The general and most interesting item of conversation amongst the inhabitants of the Danish capital, is that of the haunted house in the Ny Toldbod-gade (New Tollbooth-lane). During the night the house is filled with mysterious sounds, knocking on the walls and loud scratchings, which appear to be coming from the inside of the walls. Furniture of all descriptions moves around, a pair of iron chairs standing at the foot of the stairs were thrown up and down the stairs, and similar mysterious things are constantly occurring.
The owner and occupier of the house in which these mysterious phenomena take place, is a wealthy Norwegian merchant. A number of persons, amongst many of undoubted trustworthiness, bear witness to the facts related. One of the higher police officers was present when these extraordinary sounds were heard, and saw the chairs thrown up and down stairs.
A Spiritualist, who was also present, inquired if any spirits were about, and was immediately answered by the mysterious sounds of scratching and knocking on the walls, and shrill ringing of the house bell.
The police officer placed a number of his men around the outside of the house and then commenced a thorough investigation, but failed to discover anything that could explain the mystery; he also ordered every person out of the house, and after satisfying himself that he was alone, he called on the “spirits,” who immediately acknowledged their presence by the usual sounds of knocking, scratching, and moving of furniture.
The owner tells some extraordinary tales of ghostly manifestations he has seen; one night a heavy iron stand came floating from an adjoining room into his bedroom; he got up and caught this singular and ponderous night bird, and brought it back to its usual place. His wife and children confirm this tale.
Of course the reader will laugh and declare the whole thing incredible, but we repeat that it is vouched for as true by a great number of people. It is now said that arrangements havebeen made to subject the matter to a thorough scientific investigation.
The Port Augusta Dispatch, Newcastle and Flinders Chronicle, 28th June 1887.