The Galloping Horse.
The usually quiet and peaceful district of Polgear, Wendron, has been disturbed by the apparently aimless eccentricities of what is termed by superstitious people, a ghost. This fortunately rare commodity has favoured with his doubtful and unpleasant society the cottage of Penaluna, near the Wesleyan chapel Forest.
It should be stated that the cottage is of the usual type, occupied by miners, but in this case two cottages have been turned into one. It appears on the testimony of the occupant, his wife and seven children, that whilst in the midst of their evening meal in the front room, some three or four weeks since, they were startled and horror stricken by awe-inspiring sounds over head, resembling the galloping of a horse round the room, which could be distinctly heard on the road by passers-by.
Upon investigation of these unusual nocturnal visitations they concluded it must be the work of a supernatural agency, which has so preyed upon their minds as to deter them from retiring to rest until daylight appears.
Upon the report spreading, innumerable curious visitors have flocked to the scene nightly for the past three weeks, and have listened with creeping flesh, hair standing on end, to the hideous and unearthly sounds, proceeding from the wooden ceiling above, and which occur regularly at 8.30 p.m.
It must not be forgotten that concurrently with our correspondent, the Rev. J.C. Barfett, vicar of Pencoys, visited the haunted house to explore the cause of the wild rumours afloat, and was himself daily entertained by the vagaries of this demonstrative sprite. This ghost is so obliging to the landlord of the house as to reply in like manner when he raps on the ceiling to frighten away his visitor.
Mr Barfett, with a courage usually associated with the church militant, expressed a desire to go upstairs to confront this restless and hidden spirit. For domestic reasons it is presumed this privilege was not granted to him, although it was extended to any lady present, but not one among the weaker sex could be induced to accept the offer, so spell bound had they become, one actually fainting. Although amusing to some, this spirit-rapping is not a joke to the landlord, and he is quite willing, in the interests of science, for any man or woman to sit in his house and hear for themselves and try to solve this mystery.
This is truly a century of wonders and revivals. Here we have, perhaps, some of the spirits of the ancient Druids disturbed by Mr Thurstan C Peter in his explorations and excavations at Carn Brea, taking up their abode in the humble dwelling of this miner, continuing their ghastly orgies, and making an improvised altar of Mr Penaluna’s front bedroom, much to his annoyance.
Here is a case that the enterprising Mr W.T. Stead might investigate with profit.
Cornish Post and Mining News, 10th September 1896.