Spooks in Jersey.
Newark Ghosts Draw Bigger Houses Than Hamlet’s Father.
Invisible sledge hammers – bullet proof spirits – determined ghost hunters.
Newark has a ghost story which is exciting the people of the lower portion of the city and is sorely puzzling the police says the New York Herald. The alleged ghost is playing odd pranks along Jefferson street, near Lafayette, and the people living in the pretty frame house at No. 113 Jefferson street are the principal sufferers, both from the annoyance of the nocturnal visits and the crowds of people who nightly congregate in front of the house. There is no white robed spectre floating through the air, no cat-like eyes and tongues of flame, but an unearthly thumping against doors and windows and the rear of the house.
George Dell, his wife and grown up son and daughter occupy the first floor and attic of the house, and George Leffingwell, with his family, lives on the second floor. All are intelligent people and scout the idea of ghosts. A week ago last Tuesday the noise was first heard on the weather boarding in the rear of the house, over a kitchen extension. On Wednesday night it was heard again, and on Thursday night the entire neighbourhood was awakened by the loud thumping. Mr Dell ran into the yard and fired seven blank cartridges from his revolver. Nothing more was heard until last Monday evening, and the experiences of the eventful night were narrated to a Herald reporter by Mr Dell himself. He said:
“Being very tired, I retired about half past nine. I was in a doze and my wife was undressing, when suddenly we heard the unearthly thumping on the rear of the house. It was terrific, and sounded like the blows of a muffled sledge hammer. I dressed myself rapidly and went with a lamp toward the rear door. Just as I reached it the blows were repeated with such violence that the door rattled on its hinges. I am not naturally timid nor am I a believer in ghosts, but I confess that cold shivers ran down my back.
“Seizing my revolver, I opened the door and looked out. There was no one in the yard. Sorely puzzled, I stood outside the door, and suddenly heard the thumping again, but this time on the inside. I threw the door open quickly, but could see no one. I sent for the police. The lots in the rear, the adjoining yards and the common opposite the house were searched, and no one could be found yet the thumping continued. I cannot imagine how the knocking is done. Young men who are fond of practical jokes are at the bottom of it, I have no doubt, but how they accomplish it mystifies me. They could not do it with a system of fine wire, because the blows are too heavy. I will give $25 myself to know how it is done and who does it.”
Police Captain William Daly and a squad of officers of the Third police precinct have been guarding the house every night and keeping the crowds back. While Captain Daly and his officers were on guard the knocking was heard on a house three doors below, and once it was heard against the side of a house opposite. Mrs Van Geisen, of No. 104 Congress street, and Phillip Rogers, of No. 100 Congress street, have been disturbed in the same way.
On Thursday night the street was crowded. Captain Daly gave order to clear the sidewalks. A broad-shouldered young man stood in Sergeant Edwards’ way and refused to move. The sergeant immediately took him in custody and marched him toward Ferry street. In a moment a yelling crowd pursued the officer and his prisoner. Fearing trouble, two officers followed the mob. Near Ferry street Sergeant Edwards was hit on the head with a brick. Handing his prisoner over to Officer Barrett he sprang into the crowd and seized the man who threw the brick. As he did so he was struck on the right thigh with a cobblestone. Both prisoners were finally taken to the Third Precinct station house. They proved to be Patrick Gelan, of No. 25 Mott street, and Charles Gable, of No. 141 Lafayette street. They were each fined $10.
About ten o’clock on Thursday night Chief of Police Tuite and several other officers drove up to the house in a reserve wagon. They rushed into the yard, and when they emerged they dragged a young man with them, hoisting him into the wagon they drove rapidly away. Instantly there was a chorus, “They’ve got him! They’ve got him!” But the ruse – for such it was – was soon discovered, and on Friday night the crowd was larger than ever.
No motive can be ascribed for the singular annoyance. Both of the families are quiet people and the Dells only moved into the house two months ago. When they first reported the strange rapping their neighbours laughed at them, but the saturnalia of Monday night convinced all in the neighbourhood that their story was truthful.
Every evening Mr Dell takes a position in front of the house with a rawhide in his hand to drive the children from the sidewalk. This the inquisitive neighbours do not like. The excitement is unabated and it is probable that the services of the police will be required to guard the premises from the throng of curious people all this week.
The Rocky Mountain News, 5th June 1887.