A Haunted House.
A new sensation has appeared in Long Island city, and this time it is a “haunted” house. The dwelling is situated upon the Dutch Kills road, about two miles from Hunter’s Point. The landlord has found it difficult to rent the house, as its reputation was well known. Last week a family moved in, they having procured the house for a mere nominal sum, declaring “they were not afraid of ghosts or the Old Boy himself.” The family consisted of five persons, and as the house is a small one every room was occupied, with the exception of parlour and kitchen.
Everything was quiet until Monday night after the family had retired to rest, when a low moaning sound was distinctly heard by the occupants, and Mr Daley arose and stepped into the hall, thinking somebody might be there suffering from the cold, as the night was a bitter one. Here the sound seemed to be in the kitchen, and he followed the noise; but it seemed to avoid him, and when in the kitchen it seemed to be in the parlour, and when in the parlour it was in the kitchen or in the cellar. He then went to bed.
Shortly after this a noise as of some heavy body falling down the stairs and deep sepulchral groans proceeded from the garret and hall. The crockery in the cupboards was thrown violently to the floor, although the Daley’s firmly declare the door was unopened. One of the children was so thoroughly frightened that it was thrown into spasms, and its life is now despaired of.
On Tuesday night the same programme was repeated, with the single exception that cries of “Murder! Murder!” rang through the building, creating confusion in the family, and, notwithstanding a rigid search was instituted upon the premises, nothing had turned up which will throw any light upon the mystery. Yesterday the family moved out, though they said “they weren’t afraid to stay, but they couldn’t sleep at night.” An investigation into the affair will be commenced today.
From the New York Herald, January 29.
West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, 5th March 1874.