A ghost story.
The Moama correspondent of the Riverine Herald sends the following particulars of a ghostly sensation near the border town: –
“About ten miles from Moama, on the east side of the line, stands a dummy house. This house has been occupied by a party of dam-sinkers and bark-ringers. These men aver that about a fortnight ago they were disturbed by knocking on the iron roof, and that upon getting up they saw the figure of a woman, when one among their number put the question, ‘What do you want, Missus?’ to which the figure replied that she had been murdered near that spot, and that the bones of herself and infant would be found towards the end of the hut, where they were placed fourteen years ago by Morgan, the bushranger. One of the party, who possessed a whip, made a strike at the figure, which did not move.
The following day the news spread and the next night a large party assembled when the apparition again made its appearance, and the whole of these persons swear most distinctly that they saw the figure of a woman, and nothing can induce them to think otherwise.
Last night a detachment of the Moama police, under the command of sergeant Vaughan, went out to see if there was anythign to be seen, and there is no doubt if any person had been ‘playing larks’ he would have received a little cold lead. Upon the return of one of the police this morning I ascertained that while in the house last night a terrific noise was made on the roof like the sound of a heavy hammer, whereupon the party rushed out of the house but could see nothing. The noise was repeated several times, and many of the party, amongst whom were men supposed to be possessed of courage, seemed very glad on the approach of the grey dawn.
The mystery, however, remains the same, and another party is to be organised, who together with the police, intend to go out again to try and clear up the mystery. The men who were living in the hut have left it to the ghost, and gone and camped near a dam. It seems remarkable that thirty men should become alarmed, and positively aver there is something in it.”
The Burrangong Argus (NSW), 20th February 1878.