Who’s Dat Knocking?
A mysterious, and as yet unexplained occurrence has set the good people of Penryn “all agog.” On Thursday evening last, much alarm was caused by a strange knocking in a house opposite the Anchor Inn, occupied by an old lady named Rogers, about 90 years old, and a servant girl about 16. They had retired to rest about half-past eight, but were soon awoke by a loud knocking. The old lady got out of bed, and looked out of the window, but could see no one. They searched through the house, but nothing could be found.
The knocking still continuing, the old lady became much alarmed, and called her opposite neighbours. Several men entered her house and made a minute search, examining every cupboard, room, and outhouse, but to no purpose. The knocking stopped during the search, but as soon as it was over it re-commenced. Still to the frequent enquiries of “Who’s that knocking?” there was no reply except a more vigorous rat-tat-tat. This state of affairs continued until 5 o’clock in the morning, the borough policeman and neighbours stopping in the house all night, still hearing the sound, but they failed to discover the cause.
The old lady is very ill, and the servant remained in hysterics until 3 o’clock in the morning. Since Friday nothing more has been seen or heard of it up to the present time, but strong suspicion rests on a next door neigbour, who, with his wife, could not be induced to come down stairs to assist in solving the mystery, which appeared strange to those present. They both say they heard the noise, but protest against knowing anything of the cause.
Royal Cornwall Gazette, 27th November 1869.