A Noisy Ghost at Pollokshaws.
For two nights past the minds of people resident in Main Street, Pollokshaws, have been much exorcised concerning a loud knocking heard in the property there at Mr G. Dalrymple’s public-house. The knocking began on both occasions about nightfall, and continued till after midnight. About 1000 persons congregated at the place on Tuesday night, and much excitement prevailed, so that the police had some difficulty in clearing the street. Endeavours have been made to account for the noise, but without success.
Dundee Evening Telegraph, 6th June 1878.
A Scotch Ghost.
Scotland would appear to be about the very last country for a ghost to select as the scene of its manifestations. There is a hard practical element in the Scotch intellect which prevents the Caledonian imagination from running riot, and our friends the spirits do not therefore generally show much inclination to disport themselves north of the Tweed. Yet the highly practical and long-headed town of Pollokshaws has just started a very creditable ghost of its own, and great excitement is said to prevail in the neighbourhood as to the identity of the mysterious visitant.
It has established itself in an empty shop, and no sooner does darkness set in than quite a tumult takes place within the building. Knocking of all sorts, stampings, scratchings, and “unearthly noises,” whatever they may be, are heard in the open street every night by the crowd which collects to refresh itself with a smell of the supernatural. So great is the excitement about this poor ghost that strong bodies of police have to be stationed at the spot to keep the street clear. But it seems perfectly plain that Pollokshaws must be proud of its spectre, for we do not hear of any effort having been made to get at the bottom of the mystery. Perhaps the inhabitants, looking forward to next tourist season, may think it would be a pity to deprive the town of a brand-new attraction. A well authenticated ghost, that had excited public attention and baffled public prying for two or three months, would be sure to draw a large number of visitors to the spots. The Trossachs, and the glens of Arran, the mountains and lakes of Bonnie Scotland, have been so thoroughly worked that nearly every tourist has either seen them or says he has, which comes to much the same thing. But a bona fide Scotch ghost, warranted to go through some highly edifying spiritual performances every night, would be something new to talk about on returning to prosaic England. Indeed, it is rather a matter for wonder that some of our watering-places have not long ago started private spirits of their own.
The Globe and Traveller, June 11th 1878.