Obnoxious “Ghost”.
Singular happenings near Haydon Bridge.
A farm maid injured.
Even in these days, when news travels swiftly, it is possible for strange and perplexing happenings to go on at our own doors, so to speak, without the public at large becoming aware of them. A good illustration of this is furnished by an amazing story from the Haydon Bridge district which was investigated by a “Chronicle” representative yesterday.
The information trickled through to the city by divers courses that there was a “ghost” at Low Morley Farm, which defied all attempts at detection and capture. The suggestion of a phantom visitant never fails to stir the imagination and to prompt curiosity, and when the unseen is guilty of extraordinary annoyances, then there is an added air of mystery which becomes irresistable.
For eight weeks, at nocturnal intervals, the “ghost” has taken its walks abroad, doing mischievous and alarming things, and its successful career has now come to light. “Spring heeled Jack,” who struck terror in feminine bosoms at Gateshead last winter, was declared ultimately to be a mythical personage, the invention of some local wag, but the uncanny intruder who has been disturbing the autumn solitudes of the Tyne valley is no fiction. Moreover, there is much to confirm the view that the visitor is no departed spirit, but still a lively sojourner on this planet.
The circumstances are as peculiar as they are bewildering. Low Morley Farm is situated in a very quiet country side, between Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill, on the south side of the Tyne. It is away from the road side, and to the stranger the approach to it is not easy to discover. The occupants of the farm are Mr and Mrs Thomas Dryden, their servant, Kate Livingstone, aged 18, and two young men pupils to farming, Mr Innes and Mr Clarkson. The hind of the farm lives in a cottage about 100 yards away, and adjoining his habitation is another cottage occupied by the hind of High Morley Farm, which is also in the vicinity, and is occupied by a brother of Mr Dryden. We mention this to show that, while Low Morley Farm itself is rather sequestered from the main arteries of traffic, there are people living near about who might have seen something of the mysterious individual who has been haunting the farm.
One morning, about two months ago, the strange business began. The handles of the doors of the farm house were found to have been tied to other objects by rope, apparently to prevent the family getting out. These barriers were, of course, soon removed, and, on examination of the premises, there were disagreeable evidences of some person having resolved to make known his visit in a most obnoxious way. [poo?] Mr Dryden reported the matter to the police, and on the following evening PC Walton, who is stationed at Haydon Bridge, proceeded to the farm to keep watch.
Nothing unusual happened until between seven and eight o’clock, when Miss Livingstone, the maid, had occasion to go outside. Just as she stepped over the doorstep and into the darkness, she was struck on the chest with a large stone, delivered from the inpenetrable gloom by an unknown hand. The girl was badly hurt, and had to be medically treated. Immediately the constable and the farmer and others in the house diligently searched the farm buildings, but their efforts were unrewarding.
It was a puzzling situation, and the next night, and the night after that, a closer watch was kept, but nothing unusual happened. Several more evenings elapsed and matters were unchanged, and the family were beginning to think they had got rid of the queer mortal who had disturbed their peace.
It was not so, however, for packages of filth on windowsills and about the doors one morning were evidence that the stranger was still about the premises. More watching followed, and on Friday night, the 3rd inst., a large stone came crashing through a window to the consternation of everybody. The sentinels sprang from their places of concealment, and rummaged every hole and corner in the hope of finding their quarry, but it was all to no purpose. Not a movement, not a footfall was heard, and the searchers’ quest was entirely unsuccessful.
On subsequent evenings the number of watchers was strengthened by an additional policeman, and farm hands joined in the extraordinary vigils, but the singular intruder evidently laughed at numbers, for he successfully evaded all attempts to corner him. In the still early hours of evening, stones rattled with startling frequency against the gable of the farm, and at other times they “stotted” about on the stone slabs at the doorways. Where did they come from? Who was it that kept throwing them? It was a puzzling predicament, and there seemed no solution. Some of the stones were of considerable size, and very dangerous missiles to encounter in the dark.
The most astonishing thing of all happened a few evenings ago. The watchers had been secreted about the farm for a considerable time, and eventually they became very cold, the night being extremely chilly and wet. They emerged from their hiding places momentarily to go to the farmhouse for a cup of tea, and no sooner had they got in doors than a big stone was banged into the farm passage. There was a rush outside, but not a trace of any living soul could be found.
Next morning, the following message, written on a piece of paper, was found in a calf feeding pail: – “I am sorry I hit the girl, but I’ll be d— sure I will hit the one I want before I am finished.”
Last Saturday evening there was further close watching of the premises, and stones were thrown, it is said, but there were no startling developments. On the other hand, there was a cheering message that the unwelcome visits were at an end, for written on the inside of the coal house in chalk were these words: – “I will bid you all good-bye. I am off this time. P.S. – Hope you have had plenty this time. The Nipper.”
On Monday evening the vigil was resumed, but nothing happened, and there were hopes that “The Nipper” had been as good as his word, and was “off” in reality, although there was disappointment that he had not been caught and his identity revealed. His extraordinary conduct cannot be accounted for.
Mr and Mrs Dryden have not, so far as is known, had any disagreement with any of their neighbours to provoke the visitations we have described, nor in any direction can a motive be suggested. The ingenuity of the intruder in successfully evading the watchers has been astonishing, and his smartness in this respect rather discounts a theory that the visitant is a demented wanderer with an imagined grievance.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 15th October 1913.
The Haydon Bridge Sensation. Nocturnal Visitor’s Pranks. Second Farm Fire. Search for Supposed Incendiary.
The sensation caused in the neighbourhood of Haydon Bridge by the nocturnal pranks of a mysterious visitor, culminating in the fire on Friday morning at Low Morley Farm – the scene of the previous visits – has been intensified by a second conflagration – this time at the Lees Farm, in the same neighbourhood, occupied by Messrs. Pickering. Feeling in the neighbourhood had been strung up to a high pitch because of the quite inexplicable nature of the occurrences. The visitor had come and had departed, leaving behind obvious evidences of his presence, but no trace by which his identity could be established. Men had kept watch and ward, but the intruder had escaped capture. This, in a lonely farmstead like Low Morley, and in the darkness of the night, was intelligible enough.
The fire at Low Morley on Friday morning provoked further perplexity and further investigation; but the solution of the mystery seemed as remote as ever. The police of the district are making persistent efforts to trace and capture the perpetrator, whose elusiveness is remarkable. Many constables from all round about have been requisitioned, and every square yard almost is being scoured.
The fire at the Lees Farm broke out at 6 o’clock on Friday night. Lees Farm is about a mile south-east of Low Morley.
A number of out buildings were soon fiercely burning, and owing to the scarcity of water little could be done to stop the progress of the flames. About 100 tons of hay were involved, and at 8 o’clock the stacks were all ablaze. The onlookers and those immediately concerned could do nothing but watch the fire burn itself out. The Hexham fire brigade was still at Low Morley, and a message was sent there, but the brigade could not leave that place, as there were signs that the fire at Low Morley was likely to break out again. Some men got on to the roof of the buildings at Lees Farm and cut away the roof with the object of preventing the fire spreading to these buildings.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 18th October 1913.
Arson in Northumberland.
Climax of mysterious incidents.
A fire which destroyed a range of buildings at Low Morley Farm, near Hexham, early yesterday morning, was the climax to a series of puzzling incidents. For some time past the occupants of the farm have been subjected to annoyance. Stones and dirt have been thrown through the windows, an dthreatening messages have been chalked about the premises. The police and neighbours have kept watch, but have failed to capture the unwelcome visitor.
On Thursday a chalked message read “Look out for a blaze. – Nipper,” and although precautions were taken there was a serious outbreak of fire in the early hours yesterday morning, and scarcely had the fire brigade left the premises than another fire was discovered on a neighbouring farm. It is supposed that the unpleasant incidents are the work of some demented creature, but, sparse though the population is in that remote portion of the Tyne valley, all efforts to discover his identity have failed.
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 18th October 1913.
Uncanny series of farm fires.
The nipper’s crimes on Tyneside.
More excitement at week-end.
Excitement continues in the West Tyne district over the doings of “The Nipper,” whose Friday’s exploits were narrated in Saturday’s issue. On Friday evening a second fire broke out at the farm of Mr Pickering, about a mile from Low Morley, and before it was extinguished early on Saturday morning over 100 tons of hay had been consumed. This also is suspected to be the work of “The Nipper,” although the motive is a mystery unless it be revenge for a remark Mr Pickering made when assisting to extinguish the flames at Low Morley farm. He then remarked that he hoped “The Nipper” had been burnt in the fire.
During the night and on Saturday search parties were out over a large extent of country looking for “The Nipper,” but with only slight success. A search, however, showed footprints similar to those found on Low Morley farm, and these it is hoped may lead to his identification, it being suspected, from various reasons, that he may have been amongst those assisting to put out the first fire.
His daring may be gauged from the fact that during the early hours of Saturday morning, whilst two police superintendents and a large party of searchers were in the Low Moor farmhouse, another shower of stones struck the building, and a big one was rolled along the passage, but the most instant search revealed no traces of the attacker.
On Saturday night, whilst a watch was being kept in Low Morley farm, a fire was reported at Haydon Bridge, a village four miles away, and before it could be extinguished the farm buildings, belonging to Mr Bookless, of Newcastle, were burnt down. The damage is estimated at £500, and the loss includes a pony, which was burnt to death.
The captain of the Hexham fire brigade, which has done excellent service at the fires, is understood to have received a message from “The Nipper,” advising him to keep the brigade in the district as he intends to fire the premises of all farmers who went to the assistance of Mr Dryden at Low Morley, on Friday.
There was also further trouble at Low Morley on Saturday evening despite the presence of a number of watchers. First of all a mysterious knocking was heard, apparently inside th ehouse, which was searched without result, and it was then discovered that someone who had vanished had been thumping on wood in the adjoining wash-house. Some cinders were also thrown at the house, but though the vigil was continued until dawn no one was caught.
Neither Mr Dryden nor any other of the occupants of Low Morley farm can think of anyone having a grudge against them.
Leeds Mercury, 20th October 1913.
Elusive “Nipper” in Tyne Valley.
Farm Fire Mystery Unsolved.
Stones Showered by Unseen Hand.
The Haydon Bridge district of the Tyne Valley, where “The Nipper” has been perpetrating the remarkable series of fire crimes, but has eluded capture hitherto, is in what might be described as a mild state of terror. Every unknown person is suspected, especially if he be of small stature. No summonses to the Fire Brigade had to be issued on Sunday night, but “The Nipper” got in his little demonstration, this time harmless, but more mysterious than ever.
Twice there was trouble at Low Morley Farm on Sunday night. In the early evening there occurred another shower of stones, although police-officers were in hiding and had a full view of the passage way to the back of the farm down which the stones were rolled. They instantly initiated an active search, flooded the place with light, and hunted diligently for some time, but the results were absolutely nil.
Again, later, the mysterious knocking, first heard on Saturday night, recurred. As before, it appeared to come from within the house, apparently from a room above, but although the house was completely searched no trace of anyone was found.
The police are being kept in force at Low Morley, and also at the Lees, where Friday night’s fire took place, and a vigil is being kept at practically every farm for a radius of some miles.
Mr. Charles Ridley, one of the searchers, says that on Sunday night, whilst searching a wood, he heard a rustling, and, running forward, caught sight of a man with a black dog. But within a second the mysterious person had vanished behind a ridge, and all subsequent efforts failed to locate him.
Throughout last night the watch was set, but no capture was effected.
Leeds Mercury 21st October 1913.
A theory of lunar influence.
In a chat by the farm fireside last night, the theory was started that “The Nipper” was a lunatic. It is an accepted dictum of the country that a lunatic is most apt to do violent deeds at the full of the moon. the moon is now on the wane. Last night it failed to put in an appearance. So did “The Nipper.”
Of course it might be that he likes a better light for getting about than was available last night. But in support of the lunar theory, Mrs Dryden adduced the fact that after the full of the moon last month they had ten days’ respite from these unwelcome visitations.
Naturally a good deal is being attributed to “The Nipper,” of which a little investigation would reveal another cuase. A theory is propounded that the strange occurrences outside the immediate vicinity of Low Morley are but a blind such as might enable the “ghost” to approach Low Morley again unobserved in order to work a still greater “revenge.”
Yorkshire Evening Post, 21st October 1913.
Haydon Bridge “Ghost”.
A Letter from “The Nipper”. Last night’s doings at Low Morley.
(By our own watcher). Haydon Bridge, Tuesday.
Another twenty four hours of anxiety has to be recorded from the secluded farmstead of Low Morley near Haydon Bridge. The hunt for “The Nipper”, or the ghost, or whoever it is who has thrown the countryside into consternation, continues by day and by night, but so far without success.
Rumour is rife in the vicinity. Every person you meet has his or her own theory, and it is not possible to give credence to any of the hundred and one stories that pass from one habitation to another on the wings of gossip. This morning I met a gentleman from Corbridge, a city man, who told me that, even in that residential village, removed as it is from the scene of the “The Nipper’s ” operations, all sorts of weird tales are being told. Last night his servant maid went home with the news that the strange intruder had been “nailed”, and that “The Nipper” turned out to be a woman.
This rumour is, of course, like many others, untrue. “The Nipper” is still at large, and we had a repetition of his performances at Low Morley last night, but they were confined to coal throwing and rapping. The work of “The Nipper” was covered by the cloak of night. When the sun set an inky darkness surrounded the neighbourhood and to make matters worse – or better as the case might be – rain soon commenced to fall. At times it was driven by the wind with blinding force, and a walk along the road and fields was accomplished even by natives with some difficulty. To the stranger it was more a question of “groping” the way.
Shutters had just been closed and barred for the night at the farm when “The Nipper’s” perambulations commenced. More intent than ever on making a capture, the authorities had drafted an extra force of police into the district, and as one walked round the homestead one never knew when a pair of keen eyes – or even perhaps two pairs – were watching your every movement.
Last Night’s Incidents.
There were about 20 policemen about, and it is safe to say that developments wereexpected. A couple of officers were wrapping up for their night’s vigil, and four men were posted behind the walls enclosing the little back yard, when the first incident occurred. The door was closed but unlatched, and it must have been pushed ajar, for before the men inside had completed the operation of buttoning their great coats, pieces of coal rolled along the passage to their feet.
Mysterious is now but a commonplace word by which to describe the affair. The constables outside, despite their searching glances had seen nothing; the men in hiding round about had not even had their suspicions aroused, and when an attempt was made to discover the coal-thrower no one was found. So certain was everyone that the yard door was not approached, that the incident is freely described as an illusion.
Thereafter, for something like four hours, all was quiet at the farm. If a stranger had gone there he would have found the place in darkness, and not a person to be seen. In fact, the members of the household had by ten o’clock retired to be in the hope that they would be able to get a good night’s sleep. They had not been long upstairs, however, befor ea dull thud was heard. Where it came from was just another mystery, but a thorough search was made – a search no less exacting than that of Saturday night, and with exactly the same result.
An alarming experience.
The rappings were heard in broad daylight yesterday, and one knock was given whilst the police officer was in the house. The noise was heard by a lady in the house, and when she went out in the direction from whence it seemed to come, she declares she saw a man in one of the out houses. Only his eyes were visible, and when he perceived her he appeared to make a ‘sissing’ noise with his tongue and teeth. It was an alarming experience for a lady, and when the unknown asked her what she wanted, she made a remark about the curtains, which as a matter of fact she was laundering at the time. The mere glimpse the lady caught of the man would hardly enable her to identify him, even if she saw him again.
The farm at Low Morley is being visited by the cautiously curious in large numbers. They came from Haydon Bridge, from Hexham, and from miles around in motors and traps, on motor cycles and cycles, and on foot to see for themselves what they could of the place where the “ghost” is said to walk. As many as 52 people were counted in the stackyard at one time the other day, but as night falls, they all depart.
One is tempted to wonder whether “the Nipper” himself mixes up with the throng, hears their comments – and smiles. The folk in the village of Haydon Bridge are almost in a state of “jumpiness”. All day long yesterday false reports of further fires were being circulated. Most of them emanated from passengers along the road who said they had seen an outbreak on the fell to the south west of the village. There were certainly flames and smoke, and occasionally sparks, but enquiries I made elicited the fact that the men at Langdale’s Farm had been threshing and were burning the chaff. In the evening, before retiring for the night, they had beaten the smouldering embers into a blaze in order to exhaust all possibility of danger.
Lower down in the valley the hay and straw carted into the fields from the blazing stacks at Mr. T. Pickering’s farm at the Lees were smoking, and caused further alarm.
A Letter – From the “Nipper”?
Last night we received at the “Chronicle” Office the following letter:-
The Nipper. (To the Editor.)
I am too closely watched at Haydon Bridge, so I am going either into Allendale or Alston way, so you can “Cronicle” this if you like. –
(Signed) THE NIPPER.
The envelope bears the Hexham postmark, and the time and date, “5.15 p.m. Oct. 20, 13.” On occasions like the present it is usual for practical jokers to bombard us with communications of this kind, but we give the letter for what it may be worth.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 21st October, 1913
The Nipper disappoints watchers at Low Morralee. No appearance last night.
(By our own watcher). Haydon Bridge, Wednesday.
Another night of anxious watching has passed at Low Morralee Farm, near Haydon Bridge, and on one of the very few occasions during th elast nine weeks “The Nipper” has left us absolutely alone. From six o’clock last night until six o’clock this morning, the place has been guarded, and, as a policeman humorously put it when preparing to leave at dawn today, “we have caught nothing more than a bad cold.”
Two nights ago the police pulled up officers from neighbouring villages to assist them in their efforts, and las t night such a cordon of men was drawn round Low Morralee farm that the police might have been excused if they had been confident of the nipper’s capture. But then “The Nipper” has baffled the watchers so often, that one has learned not to be too sure of getting him.
The “ghost” did not appear, even to throw a stone. Throughout the hours of darkness men were in hiding at all points round the back yard, with their eyes glued on the door. The activity of the police cannot be questioned. Every clue is being followed up with persistence.
On Saturday last a strange man in an inebriated condition called at a house in Haydon Bridge, and asked for bread. He was refused, and left muttering expletives against the landlord. In half an hour he returned, and demanded beer, but once again he was not served, and there was a similar scene afterwards. Since then he has not been seen in the village, but on Monday last the police called at the house, and after putting several questions, left.
The police may or may not have been justified in suspecting that the strange man might have some connection with the outrages in the valley. The stranger was between 40 and 50 years of age, of medium height and build, and in several details his description tallies with that given by the boy who said he saw a man lying in a wood on the fell to the north of Haydon Bridge, and that the man chased him away with a stick.
This story is, no doubt, responsible for a theory which is propounded this morning, and which disconnects “The Nipper” with the fire at Messrs Bookless and Son’s shed on Saturday night – that is, presuming of course, that the man in the wood was not “The Nipper” himself. It is now stated that this stranger having left the village in his semi-drunken condition went into the wood to sleep. He was disturbed by the boy, and would probably show some annoyance, and as night fell it is thought htat he might have moved down to the shed to find a comfortable bed among the hay. There the man, it is thought, might have lit his pipe, and throwing his lighted match away, accidentally set fire to the hay. Then, seeing the shed almost immediately enveloped in flames, he would away to safety, and his would be the figure seen by Mr Thomas Rogers as he hurried along the cart track to the fire.
The afternoon of yesterday did not bring any fresh developments. The work at the farm proceeded in the ordinary course, and the number of visitors fell off somewhat. The report that two London detectives have arrived in the vicinity, and are making careful inquiries on a well conceived plan, has been widely circulated.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 22nd October 1913.
Ghosts. The Elusive “Nipper” at Haydon Bridge.
(To the Editor.)
Sir, – With reference to your recent articles on the “ghost” at Haydon Bridge, for the benefit of those who are engaged in trying to discover the cause of the trouble, I would like to draw your attention to a book just published called “Life Understood” (The Crystal Press, Ltd, 36-39, Maiden Lane, W.C.) written by a well-known scientific man, Mr F L Rawson, M.I.E.E., etc.
Mr Rawson was retained some time ago by one of the leading London daily papers to make a professional examination for them into mental healing, and has clared up the scientific reason for all forms of occult phenomena. Amongst other things, he shows there are two different forms of what are called ghosts, one due to the fact that, when a man is what is called “dead,” before he passes into another state of consciousness, from which, Mr Rawson says, he can never return, the mind can very easily leave the body and go to any place that it desires. The mind, he says, fits into the body like a hand does into a glove or water into a sponge, and can be seen by anyone sufficiently psychic.
The other form of ghosts is due to the fact that matter is purely mental phenomena, and the reading of this book makes it perfectly clear that the troubles at Haydon Bridge are by no means certain to be the result of any person who is actually there. Mr Rawson also gives the scientific reason for all the old forms of witchcraft and sorcery, and points out the difference between miracles done in this way and by the hypnotism of modern days, and those done by Jesus the Christ.
I do not say for a moment that the results are due to mental working of this kind, but every one of the phenomena which have been met with can be produced by the human mind. Sometimes the person so producing them is conscious, sometimes (as for instance, in the case of the spiritualistic phenomena) they are quite unconscious of what is going on. Mr Rawson shows how all such working can be destroyed by ture prayer, and shows that it is just as easy to stop anything of the kind as it is to heal a person of sin and sickness. He not only gives the scientific reasons, but he gives the perfect method of working. Yours, etc., METAPHYSICS, Kensal Rise, London, October 22, 1913.
Sir, – Referring to the facsimile of the letter appearing in your issue of the 20th inst., I sincerely trust that its appearance will be instrumental in identifying “The Nipper.” Surely the nervous women and youngsters are sufficiently alarmed without imbecile conduct such as this; and it is to be hoped that the authorities will do their utmost to find out the writer.
By the way, have the police ever compared the pieces of coal alleged to have been thrown into the house with that used in the immediate district and is it the same description of coal? – Yours, etc., HORSEWHIP. Allendale, Oct 22, 1913.
Sir, – Might I suggest a possible solution of the “Haydon Bridge Mystery?” Are there no old workings near Low Morralee – a tunnel of which runs under or near the farm buildings, with some hidden means of entrance through one of the outhouses? This would explain the sudden disappearance of this most elusive fire fiend.
No vigilance on the part of the watchers round the farm yards would be likely to succeed in capture did the means of entry prove to be within the cordon of police. the fact of coal being the missile most often thrown rather points to the existence of some old drift.
Examination of the other stones found would show whether they were pieces of road metal or stone found in old coal workings. The small wood or copse which is spoken of as near the scene of the disturbances would provide cover for the other end of the passage, if such there be.
Could not the dull thuds which are heard be produced from underneath the house? – Yours, etc., ALLENDONIAN, Allendale, Oct. 22, 1913.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 23rd October 1913.
Mr Thomas Dryden, tenant of Low Morralee Farm, Haydon Bridge, the principle scene of the pranks and depradations of “The Nipper.”
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 24th October 1913.
“The Nipper” at work.
Great excitement and alarm at Haydon Bridge.
A third fire.
Police and everyone else outwitted.
“The Nipper,” who has been causing so much excitement and not a little alarm among the residents of the Haydon Bridge district, is apparently still at large, having so far defied all the efforts of the local police, as well as the numerous band of voluntary watchers and searchers. Nobody can be sure that they have ever seen him, though there has, unfortunately, been ample evidence of his mischievous and destructive acts. It may be, of course, that he has been blamed for things of which he is entirely innocent, but there seems to be justification for debiting him with most of the occurrences by which the community has recently been alarmed.
Naturally, in the absence of evidence of identity, various conjectures are made. That the mysterious “Nipper” is a mad-man, possessed of all the cunning which the mentally diseased so often have at command, seems to be an opinion entertained by the majority of those who discuss the affair, and it is practically the sole topic of discussion for many miles around Low Morley – a lonely farmstead, situated near the Newcastle and Carlisle reailway about two miles west of Haydon Bridge, and about the same distance from Bardon Mill. The South Tyne follows a semi-circular course about half a mile to the northward, through a rather thickly-wooded area.
Mr Dryden has been the tenant of the farm for some five or six years, and is known and esteemed in the village and its surroundings. Judging by the general appearance of the land, it may be said that he is a skilful agriculturist. He grows fairly large crops of grain, and at present owns a well-stocked stackyard. Men were bringing in a few late loads on Saturday. The bulk had been garnered several weeks ago. A certain amount of threshing has, in fact, been done, and it was the straw left over from these operations that filled, principally, the building which was destroyed by fire, as already reported on Friday.
On Saturday, smoke still rose from within the roofless structure and from smouldering heaps round about.
Mr Dryden admitted to a representative that he was scarcely surprised when the fire broke out. He had been expecting and dreading something of the kind as a result of nine weeks’ attention on the part of his strange visitor. Somehow, he seemed to know that the “Nipper” would resort to such a deed eventually. “The longer he is allowed to remain at large,” Mr Dryden declared, in effect, “the more venturesome and therefore the more dangerous he will become. He has outwitted the police and everybody else and what he will attempt next none can tell.”
“He appears to be worst when the moon is at the full,” Mr Dryden observed in confirmation of his belief that the “Nipper” is a lunatic. “I have noticed that ever since he first came about the place.” A suggestion that all or most of that which had transpired might be the outcome of spite, was made, but Mr Dryden declared that he had not an enemy so far as he was aware. He had never had reason to dismiss an employee. All his men worked out their term for which they were engaged in the usual way. As an indication of the boldness of the “Nipper,” it is worthy of mention that on Friday evening, just about twilight, when the firemen were still busy with the fire, and when there were many other people about, a stone was hurled into the back entrance of the house, the door being open. An alarm was raised immediately, and a hunt instituted. But wood and field were drawn blank, as they had been several times before. Whoever the perpetrator of all these annoying deeds is, he must be credited with almost superhuman skill, so far as his movements is concerned.
It is stated that on Saturday he left a message to the effect that there were to be three more fires that night. He even mentioned the time and the places. There were also rumours that the Hexham Fire Brigade received intimation that they should not leave the neighbourhood, as their services would be required. These communications, however, may emanate from an individual or individuals with a weakness for what often passes as practical joking. Throughout Saturday night a close watch was kept by policemen and civilians, who had nothing to report at daybreak beyond the fact that a tapping noise is supposed to have been heard.
The village and the scenes of the fires were yesterday visited by hundreds of motorists and cyclists, the village presenting quite a stirring appearance by the continual traffic through it.
The notorious “Nipper” again paid Low Morley a visit early on Saturday night, making his presence known by throwing coals at the doors and windows, and then mysteriously disappearing.
A vigilant look-out is being kept by the police, a large force having been distributed round the enighbourhood this weekend. Farms are being closely watched with a view to the prevention of any further outbreaks, and the capturing of the culprit or culprits.
Stockton Herald, South Durham and Cleveland Advertiser, 25th October 1913.
A “Nipper” Message.
Two farm fires in Ashington district.
A sensation was caused at Ashington during the weekend by the discovering of a message, written in chalk, on a wall, and signed “The Nipper,” and subsequent outbreaks of fire in two different places. The message read: “Have visited Ashington – The Nipper.”
The first outbreak was on Saturday evening, about six o’clock, when a stack of hay, comprising sixty tons, was found to be on fire at the farm of Messrs Nixon and Craigs, of Hirst. Fortunately, discovery was made in good time, and a band of willing helpers were able to remove 45 tons to a place of safety. The remaining 15 tons were destoryed.
The second outbreak occurred at Ashington, about eleven o’clock the same night, when a stack of hay, consisting of 40 tons, and owned by the Equitable Co-operative Society, was found to be ablaze in the field at the rear of the society’s premises. When the discovery was made by P.C.s McIntosh and Calvert, the flames had a strong hold, and the entire stack was destroyed, the damage being estimated at £200. Under Inspector Culley, the band of workers were able to prevent the flames from reaching the buildings adjoining.
The belief at Ashington is that the two fires were a mere coincidence, and little credence is given to the origin was due to “The Nipper.” The “message” is genearlly regarded as a hoax.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 3rd November 1913.
The “Nipper” again.
Hay barn destroyed by fire.
Another fire broke out yesterday at Allerwash Buildings, near Haydon Bridge (Northumberland), where a fortnight ago there was a serious outbreak. A hay barn was destroyed at yesterday’s fire, but it was found possible to save the adjoining buildings. Written on a gatepost in blue chalk was the message, “Look out for a fire.” The outbreak is attributed to the “Nipper.”
Daily Citizen (Manchester), 7th November 1913.
Another farm fire near Haydon Bridge. Barn destroyed at Allerwash.
Shortly after eleven o’clock on Thursday another fire broke out at Allerwash Buildings farm, near Haydon Bridge, in the occupation of Mr Joseph Armstrong, a previous fire having occurred on October 22nd. Mr Armstrong and his men were at the time busy dipping sheep down at Allerwash, when his sister, who was having a look round the farm buildings to see that was all right, saw smoke and flames issuing from one of the barns. She at once gave the alarm, and a small band of workers started to try and save the remaining buildings, but nothing could be done to save the barn where the fire originated.
The roof of the building was cut to prevent the fire from spreading, and the efforts of the workers in this direction proved successful. The hay contained in the barn, and the barn itself, were destroyed. This is the fifth fire on farms in the near vicinity of “The Nipper’s” escapades. No theory can be given as to how the fire originated, but after the fire was discovered a message was found on a gate post near by, written in blue chalk, reading “Look out for —“.
Carlisle Journal, 11th November 1913.
Haydon Bridge outrages.
Agricultural student’s disclaimer.
Godfrey S Clarkson, of 48, Kenilworth Road, Newcastle, writes to the editor of the Journal as follows: –
Will you be good enough to allow me a small space in your columns to make the following statements: –
1. That I am one of the students at Low Moralee Farm, Haydon Bridge, where the recent outrages have been committed by “The Nipper.”
2. The public, both at Haydon Bridge and elsewhere, are associating me with “The Nipper,” on grounds of the purest assumption, and that my present absence from the neighbourhood during the past three weeks is another proof of my connections with the affair.
3. I am at present in Newcastle attending a course in agriculture at the Armstrong College, holding a scholarship awarded me by the Northumberland County Council.
4. It may not be generally known that the nuisances have continued at Low Moralee Farm during my absence, proof of which would no doubt be obtained from the inspector of police still stationed about the farm if inquiries were made.
Finally, it only remains for me to say that should these libellous tales against my character continue I shall be compelled to take action against such persons making same.
Newcastle Journal, 13th November 1913.
“The Nipper”
Occurrences at Low Morralee.
Student’s Disclaimer.
(To the Editor.)
Sir, – Will you be good enough to allow me a small space in your column to make the following statements: –
1. That I am one of the students at Low Morralee Farm, where recent and present outrages have been committed by “The Nipper.”
2. The public both at Haydon Bridge and elsewhere are associating me with “The Nipper” on grounds of the purest assumption and allege that my absence from the neighbourhood during the past three weeks is another proof of my connection with the affair.
3. I am at present in Newcastle attending a course in agriculture at the Armstrong College, holding a scholarship which I have been awarded by the Northumberland County Council.
4. It may not be generally known that the nuisances have still continued at Low Morralee Farm during my absence, proof of which, no doubt, would be obtained from the inspector and police still stationed about the farm if inquiries were made.
Finally, it only remains for me to say that should these libellous tales against my character continue, I will be compelled to take action against the persons making them. – Yours, etc., Godfrey O. Clarkson. 48, Kenilworth Road, Newcastle. Nov. 12, 1913.
Mr Clarkson was seen by our representative at the close of a lecture on agriculture at Armstrong College this afternoon, and he expressed the hope that the publication of this letter might set him right with the public and the police. He thought it covered the whole ground, he could think of nothing to add, but he hoped the allegations might not continue. Our representative suggested it was natural, that in default of a culprit being found from outside, the gossips should attribute the “pranks” to students. Mr Clarkson laughingly admitted that students were blamed for a lot they did not do. “Yes,” he added, “it is quite true ‘The Nipper’ occurrences are continuing. I have had a letter from Mrs Dryden, who has told me about them, and the police are still there.” Stone throwing and rappings were mentioned during the conversation, but Mr Clarkson did not attributed them to anyone in particular, implying that they remained as great a mystery as at first.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 13th November 1913.
“The Nipper”. More stone-throwing at Low Morralee.
“The Nipper” has resumed his operations at Low Morralee, the farmstead about two miles west of Haydon Bridge, which has been so much before the public lately. It is true that his visits have been less frequent, but an occasional stone thrown at the back door of the farm, or parcels of filth deposited about the premises, serve to show that the mysterious person, whoever he is, is still in the district. The police are still in the district, though, of course, not in such large numbers, as three weeks ago. Sometimes, unknown to the occupants of the farm, plain-clothes men hover about in the hope of catching the miscreant, but “The Nipper” is just as mysterious now as he was when he first commenced his annoying behaviour at the farm three months ago.
Four visits have actually been paid to the farm by “The Nipper” during the last three weeks. On each occasion – the latest was last night – stones have been hurled and parcels left about the farm and buildings. Recent occurrences, however, have not brought Haydon Bridge to that pitch of excitement which prevailed a month ago.
Between five and six o’clock last night, while the servant girl was busy in the byre she affirms she saw a man crouching along the gangway which runs across the byres. One of the servant men also, saw a man crouching round. The girl mentioned the matter to Mr Garcia, but they thought it probable that it was one of the policemen looking round the place. Mr Garcia then went into the house for tea, and had not been in the place five minutes before a large stone was thrown into the passage and rolled along to the door of the dining room. He at once rushed out, but no one was to be seen. Mr Garcia said it was quite impossible for the stone to have been thrown by anyone in the house, as he was certain of the whereabouts of all the occupants at the time of the occurrence.
Students Disclaimer (To the Editor.)
Sir, – In reference to Mr Clarkson’s letter in regard to the occurrences at Low Morralee Farm, it has come to my knowledge that reports associating me with the outrages have been put into circulation. These are absolutely without foundation, and if they are repeated I shall be compelled to take steps to suppress them. – Yours, etc., ARNOLD R GARCIA (Student.) Low Morralee Farm, Haydon Bridge.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 14th November 1913.