A Ghost Story!
The usually quiet town of Melksham has lately been thrown into a state of some confusion by the repeated visits of a poor ghost to the Primitive Methodist Chapel, at Melksham Forest. Whether the invisible being was attracted by a sense of curiosity, or whether it was only a mischievous imp, like Flibbertigibbet in Sir Walter Scott’s “Kenilworth,” or whether it was the inventiveness of the fair sex, we leave our readers to decide, upon perusal of the following particulars, furnished by a respected correspondent.
“For two or three weeks past reports have been circulated in this town that the little Primitive Methodist chapel at Melksham Forest was haunted by some evil spirit. Certain it is that strange noises have been heard there on several occasions, but what was the cause of these noises is still a mystery to many, however easiy it may be accounted for by others. Suffice it to say we do not think there was anything supernatural about them, and are sorry to hear that more than one who are in authority there, and who stand up publicly to instruct and edify others are of a different opinion: – one declaring his belief that some unhappy spirit had taken up its abode there; another that it was nothing more or less than the work of a grim and haggard fortune-teller known in the neighbourhood.
Be that as it may, I will just describe the noises and leave your readers to form their own opinions. I am informed no noises are heard except when a goodly number of persons are congregated within. When that is the case, and the minister begins his discourse, a noise as of sawing wood commences. This ceases, and then a knocking is heard. On that subsiding the saw is again put in motion (this time much more rapidly). Ever and anon sounds represented to be groans are heard.
The other week P.S. Gibson went to the chapel to learn the truth of the reports he had heard, and also to try and discover the ghost. The service having commenced a slight noise was heard like that of scraping on a board. It soon grew more loud, and the congregation were disturbed. The constable hearing from what part the sound proceeded removed a young person from where she was sitting, declaring that the sound came from beneath the ample folds of the dress she was wearing. This, of course, was objected to by her and did not seem at all agreeable to one in power there. It, however, had the effect of deterring others, and frightened the spirit; for small indeed were the noises afterwards.
On Sunday, the 7th inst., curiosity was at its highest pitch, and great were the numbers who flocked to hear these unearthly sounds. They, however, were doomed to disappointment, for whether it was the policeman at the door, or whether the object for which those sounds were intended had been gained (that of filling the chapel to overflowing on the day of a collection) or whether the spirit refused to pander to the curiosity of the crowd, we know not. However a good collection was made, and no noises were heard.
Thus ends, for the present, the spirit-rapping at Melksham Forest.”
Trowbridge Chronicle, 20th December 1862,