Three will search for “The Thing” at haunted house.
Three young men plan to keep an all night vigil in a Council house to find out what makes things go bump in the night. Just over three months ago Mr Bill Caprani and his wife moved into 33, Mallory Road, Rotherham. Shortly afterwards strange things started to happen. Mrs Caprani’s sister felt something touch her arm. Then Mrs Caprani herself saw the cloudy shape of a human being floating through the house. There were bumps in the night and tapping noises.
The Capranis were so upset by the ghostly happenings that they packed their bags and went to stay with their friends, Mr and Mrs Peter Seymour at Henry Street, Parkgate. However, they returned to the house a week later to find “the thing” still in residence.
When Mr John Hill (22) of 47, Stonyford Road, Wombwell, heard of the strange happenings he decided he would like to see the “ghost”. Mr Hill said, “I have never believed in ghosts, but I don’t like to disregard things without proving them right or wrong.” Accompanying Mr Hill will be Peter Utley (19) of 60, Quarry Hill Road, Wath, and Mr Philip Moulson (18), of 31, Moor Road, Wath, both students working for Wath Urban Council during their vacation. They are planning to see Mr and Mrs Caprani tomorrow (Saturday) to obtain permission to enter the house. Mr Hill, who is employed by the Council at Wath Cemetery, said, “There must be something in the house to have made the people move out.” If permission is granted they aim to keep watch throughout Saturday night, armed with a camera.
Speaking to a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter yesterday about the ghostly happenings, Mrs Caprani aged 24, said: “Normally my sister is not a hysterical person, but when the ‘thing’ touched her she could not stop screaming and I had to slap her. Since then, this ‘ghost’ or whatever it is, has given me no rest. I keep seeing it at night. It looks like the shape of a human being, but is cloudy, rather like polythene.” Mother-of-five Mrs Caprani said that when they left the house to stay with friends they left ashes in the kitchen and hallway, where they had heard “the thing” moving. “When we came back we found a man’s footprint in the ashes,” she said. “I dare not go upstairs on my own… I am really unnerved.”
A registered spiritualist called in to investigate said the figure was that of Mrs Caprani’s father, and described his personal possessions and past experiences to verify her claim. Mrs Caprani said: “I think he would have identified himself to me.”
Mr Caprani, a painter and decorator, said that many people had visited the house, and some young boys had stayed the night after setting booby traps, but had found nothing. “I would not mind anyone coming to investigate the ghost as long as they get rid of it for good,” he added.
South Yorkshire Times, 30th July 1966.