“Spooks” at Gawler.
Our Gawler correspondent writes: – Mysterious occurrences have caused much curiosity here, and are almost the sole topic of local conversation. Near to midnight on one occasion recently, a certain parent sat up in bed upon hearing screams coming from the room of one of his children. Speedily he ran to the comfort of the little one, who was sobbing hysterically, and speaking in broken phrases of dancing lights and funny noises. Pityingly, he picked up the youngster to soothe it and carry it to his room, when he heard slow and distinct insistent knocking on the wall. Then a bright light, and all was still.
Questioning his senses, he made his way to his room. Seated on the bed and now thoroughly awake, he pondered over the peculiar illusion, when – there it was again. The electric lights flashed up and went back into darkness. What could it be? Frightened and trembling, he awaited the next phenomenon. It was not long in coming. A flower stand started on a peregrination of the hall, the bed heaved, and soon he and others were precipitated on the floor. Next night there was a similar occurrence, and a continuance for almost a fortnight.
The foregoing events are reported locally where a family have complained of their house being haunted by ghostly visitants. After a few nights’ experience, the husband told friends, who scoffed at the idea as ridiculous, and offered to take their turn in the watch. Four men seated on the bed challenged the knocking and received answers to their requests. Startled, they waited for more. Soon the lights appeared, and shortly afterwards they were bundled unceremoniously on to the floor. They did not linger for further developments, but hurried out of the house, satisfied that something uncanny had possession.
The police were informed, and made investigations, and it is said that one of the constables experienced the indignity of a tumble from the bed. Hundreds of people visited the scene, and declare that they have witnessed the flashing lights, and also phosphorescent streaks, appearing on the doors and windows. In spite of the number of spectators the antics continue, and the happenings are creating consternation in that neighbourhood. The double bed is the main source of mystery. Its behaviour is eccentric and cantankerous. It may tip on one side only, and next time topple right over; or it may take a quick sliding motion from the wall, and with the velocity attained precipitate its occupants on to the floor, and then as speedily slide back again. The “spirit” knockings are numerous and accommodating, for as many knocks as asked for will be given on the walls. A strong prophecy is current that spiritualistic influence is being practised in the neighbourhood, while other folk declare in favour of mechanical contrivances.
The Register, 9th February 1918.
“Spooks at Gawler.”
On Sunday evening, March 10, the “spooks” again indulged in “rough house” in the home of Mr Benjamin Milton, of Gawler South. On the previous occasion the fright to the children was so intense that the medical attendant had to order the boy’s removal to other surroundings; and, strange as it may seem, his departure freed the premises of the unwelcome visitor. The Education Department, however, made inquiries as to the boy’s absence from school, and threatened the parents with drastic action, if the attendances were not made up. Mr Milton, perforce, brought the lad home again. The little fellow seemed much better for his holiday.
That Sunday evening he was getting into his bed (a stretcher) when he was violently propelled on to the floor. His parents essayed a second time, but it ended in like disaster. The shock was so great that the little boy is now a physical wreck, his nerves being uncontrollable. Word was immediately sent to the Gawler police who were investigating the case, and Sgt. Buttfield reported the need of inquiry by someone acquainted with astral phenomena.
On Tuesday evening following a detective arrived accompanied by Sister Lily Lingwood Smith, a Christian Spiritual Evangelist. The home was visited at night, Sgt. Buttfield and Mounted Constable Crowhurst accompanying the pair. Mr Milton was emphatic in his declaration that all peculiarities had ceased whilst the boy and girl were away from the home, but immediately on their return the unexpected behaviour recommenced. The Evangelist surmised that someone in the house was an unconscious medium, and a demonstration was arranged.
She placed the boy on the bed, and he was at once thrown out onto her arm. The trial was repeated with similar results, and then Cons. Crowhurst made the test and was positive that the stretcher moved beneath his weight. Rapping also took place. Sister Smith then challenged the spirit world, and although replies were received they referred principally to another occupant of the home. The lady persevered in the attempt and the answers gained satisfied her audience that a connection had been effected with the astral plane. Mrs Smith is confident that the manifestations are unconsciously caused by one of the inmates of the house, and is positive that the visitations will continue until the girl is removed from the environment. Her decision is to be put into effect.
This mysterious power that has manifested itself in Gawler is designated “telekinesis” [then as below, largely]
Bunyip (Southern Australia), 22nd March 1918.
“Spooks” at Gawler.
On Sunday evening, March 10, there were further manifestations of spirit [?] in the home of Mr Benjamin Milton , of Gawler South, writes the local correspondent of The Register. The police were immediately informed of the happening: but the result of their enquiry was not made available until this week. Mr Milton, after the previous visitation, removed the boy from the environment, on the advice of Dr Dawes, and, strange as it may seem, the phenomena ceased. As the lad, however, was not attending school, the Education Department asked for his return. Mr Milton, perforce, brought the boy home, and the little fellow seemed much better for his holiday.
That Sunday evening he was put in his bed, and within a few seconds was violently propelled upwards and fell to the floor. His parents essayed to put him to bed a second time, and the lad was again pitched out. Later that week a police enquiry was made. A detective arrived from the city, accompanied by Sister Lily Lingwood Smith, a Christian Spiritual Evangelist. They, in company with the local police, went to the home of Mr Milton, and Sister Smith, from the few enquiries made, was satisfied that there was an unconscious medium in the home.
The little fellow was then placed in his bed, a stretcher, and immediately was thrown out into the lady’s arms. A second trial was made, with a similar result. M.C. Crowhurst then tested the bed, and felt a distinct movement. Sister Smith invoked the aid of the spirits, and communication was effected with the astral plane. She could not discover the origin of the manifestations, however, although it was made plain that the girl in the home was the unconscious mediumm, and that so long as she remained in the environment the phenomena would continue, provided there was a sympathetic spirit like the boy as a go-between.
The rappings were insistent, but the information gleaned was of no service inelucidating the trouble. The lady spiritualist was positive that her surmises were correct, and since the removal of the children to another home no further manifestations have taken place. This mysterious power that has shown itself is designated “telekinesis,” a force able to move material things without visible or tangible contact. “Telekinesis”, it is said, was first manifested in America in 1848 when a family named Fox were troubled by inexplicable movings of furniture and rappings. The Gawler incident was kept so quiet on the second occasion that the general public had no knowledge of its occurrence, otherwise there would have been much public curiosity, as the phenomena created great interest in the town.
Port Pirie Recorder (Southern Australis), 25th March 1918.