More Ulster Ghosts.
Haunted Farm House.
Mysterious Fusilades of Stones.
The Police Baffled.
(Special Telegram) Belfast, Friday.
An
extraordinary affair is reported from Mullaghmena, a country district,
about two miles from Omagh, Co. Tyrone. It is alleged that the
dwelling-house of an extensive farmer in that locality is under the
spell of some evil or uncanny spirit during the past week. Approaching
midnight for a number of nights recently, it is stated, stones hustle
about the dwellinghouse and street, and find their way into the living
apartments in some mysterious way, the windows and doors being closed.
The inmates are naturally very much alarmed.
The county
constabulary have been communicated with, and although a strong patrol
was placed on the district for several nights past, they could make
nothing of the matter, although they were present when the stones began
their airy flight, and fell into the house and about the street. One of
the policemen who was present at the time says it would be impossible to
state where they came from.
At the same hour every night the
inmates are awakened from their slumbers by queer noises, and
immediately after the stones commence to fall. All the people in the
district are terrified, and will not pass the house after night, but
prefer to take a much longer route to their homes. Although the police
have been very vigorous in their investigations they have not been able
to obtain the slightest clue which might unravel the mystery.
Dublin Evening Telegraph, 14th December 1906.
Omagh “Ghost” Story.
Mysterious attacks on a country house.
There are many people who do not believe that “ghosts” travel on this earth of ours, but Mrs Watson, of Mullaghmeena, thinks differently. This lady has been much annoyed by invisible “spirits” during the last few days. Many of the ghosts we hear or read about are usually clad in white, and frequent graveyards, ivy covered castles, or other such dreary places. the “Mullaghmeena ghost” chooses a different habitat. It prefers to perch on the chimney top and make its presence felt by throwing stones down the chimney. Many of the missiles made their way to the centre of the kitchen floor and some actually struck the lady of the house on the head.
Seeing that the “ghost” was becoming rather boisterous Mrs Watson thought it advisable to have the opinion of the constabulary on the matter, and Sergeant Cronin and Constable Duffy, Omagh, visited the “haunted spot” on Tuesday. While they were inspecting the dark corners of the house where spirits are likely to abide, the stones began to fly. Some struck the door, others bounced on the roof, and a few wended their way down the chimney. Fearless and brave the police went outside to see if they could find the “evil one,” but no, all was darkness. Whether the police used any occult influence in “laying” the “wandering spirit” is not known, but at all events the “spirit” is fled, and has not returned since their visit.
It might be possible that this is the same “ghost” that alarmed the Coalisland miners some time ago, but as the latter did not roost on chimney tops or amuse itself by throwing stones the conjecture hardly holds.
Head Constable Sheridan visited the scene on Tuesday night and after warning some persons in the locality who it was thought might have been playing the “ghost” for fun, nothing has since occurred to mar the peace of the district.
Frontier Sentinel, 15th December 1906.