Ghosts in a workhouse.
The nurses at Hitchin Workhouse are rebelling against night duty, not because of the extra labour or the additional monotony it brings, but on account of the “agitation, mingled with a mild form of terror,” which a correspondent says they experience from the uncanny footsteps and weird noises they hear during the night.
They believe a certain part of the workhouse to be haunted, and night duty perforce has now to be done by male officials. The master (Mr. H.W. Knight) – brave man that he is – has sat up all night trying to lay the ghost, but without success. Either the inmates sleep too sound or know nothing of walking spectres. In any case, the female nurses are the only individuals who are alarmed.
Daily News (London), 10th May 1907.
Owing to the rattling of chains and other ghostly disturbances at Hitchin Workhouse, tramps are said to be giving the place a wide berth. The authorities, however, are doing their best to lay the ghosts, and by up-to-date methods and strict attention to business hope to once more regain the confidence and kind patronage of their clients.
Galway Express, 18th May 1907.
Strange noises in Hitchin workhouse, attributed to a ghost, have found to be due to a loose skylight rattling in the wind. The Master is anxious for a ghost who can scare away the 300 casuals who visit Hitchin every week.
Luton Times and Advertiser, 24th May 1907.