Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser, Saturday 8th March 1873.
Strange Manifestations at Kinskerswell.
The quiet little village of Kingskerswell has once more been called upon to play a part in passing sensational events, and these too of an unpleasant nature. In a neat little cottage in the upper part of the village resides a retired farmer, the other inmates being his wife and a lodger. About a month ago the farmer was awoke in the middle of the night by a noise as though some one was walking up and down the stairs. He got up, and went over the house, and having satisfied himself that no one was there, went to bed again, but still the noise continued, sometimes the stamping being apparently around his bed. He became alarmed, a feeling that was shared in by his wife and the other, the latter of whom fell into a state of hysteria.
The rapping still continued, now in the ceiling, then on the floor, at other times against the walls, the violence of which at times led the inmates to believe the house itself was in danger of falling over them. Again the farmer searched for the cause, but only the more to be puzzled. His health is affected by the continual disturbances, and we hear he has decided on leaving the house. With reference to the above, for which we are indebted to the columns of the Western Daily Mercury, we learn that nothing has since transpired to elucidate the curious mystery. The most sensible explanation seems to point to the affair as a wicked hoax.