“Phenomenon” at Selby.
Peculiar Knockings.
Selby, which is usually quiet and easy going, is just now passing through a time of feverish excitement owing to some mysterious and unaccountable demonstrations which have been experienced at a house in Buller-street. It forms one of a large number of new houses. On Sunday night the rappings first commenced, but as they were supposed to come from the adjoining house little concern was taken in them by the occupiers of No. 20.
However, on Monday night the distinct knockings were continued with even greater clearness and rapidity. The occupiers were thrown into a state of much concern, so much so that a daughter aged 14 years has had her mind unhinged by the strange visitation.
Hull Daily Mail, 20th June 1906.
The Ghost and the Girl.
Mystic visitations at Selby.
Unearthly hammering in a bedroom.
Quite a sensation has been created in Selby during the past few days by mysterious visitations at a dwelling-house in Buller-street, which have caused considerable alarm, not only to the inhabitants of the tenement, but also to the whole district.
Buller-street is situated in the newly-developed portion of land in Flaxley-road, and at No. 20 strange knockings were heard on Sunday and Monday nights. These took place in the bedroom of the daughter, who is about 14 years of age, and were heard by not a few neighbours who were called in on the second evening to endeavour to solve the peculiar phenomena, but up to the time of writing no practical explanation is forthcoming.
Needless to say, the girl has been terribly frightened by these unearthly hammerings, which take place on the bedroom floor, and it is a remarkable fact that when she was removed to another room the rappings followed her there.
The occupier of the house is Albert Welburn, who is employed as a checker in the N-E.R. Company’s goods yard at Selby, and he along with several men on Monday experienced the ghostly sensation of listening to the distinct hammerings, which at a stretch have numbered five and six, and gone as high as twenty. The knocks, it is stated, could be heard distinctly by the neighbours, and, indeed, by anyone standing outside the house, but though search parties have tried to elucidate the remakable incident, the matter remains a mystery.
The noise is only heard when the room is in total darkness, and one of the men who sat up with the household informed our Selby correspondent that it is accompanied by distinct vibrations.
Many of the town’s residents, hearing of the singular manifestation, visited the neighbourhood on Tuesday night, but there was no repetition of the ghostly communication. Those who heard the knockings were unanimous in saying that it had a weird effect upon them, and while there are many who are sceptical and attach no importance to the mystery, those who are advocates of spiritualism are airing their theories on the matter.
The young woman, who was in a greatly agitated state on Tuesday night, has somewhat recovered from the fright created by her strange and alarming experience.
Leeds Mercury, 21st June 1906.
The Selby Sensation.
(From our own correspondent.)
Interest in the mysterious rappings which are alleged to have been heard at a dwelling-house in Buller-street at Selby during the past few days show no signs of diminution. No solution to the strange manifestations has been as yet forthcoming, though various theories are being put forth which only tend to increase the difficulties and perplexities which surround the matter.
The young woman who received such a fright in consequence of the demonstrations is slowly recovering from her unpleasant experiences, and while at one time her health was in imminent danger of being seriously undermined, there is now some hope that she may soon be all right again.
Hull Daily Mail, 21st June 1906.
Selby Spook Quiet.
No further demonstrations have been heard in connection with the recent strange knockings at a house in Buller street, Selby. A strict watch has been kept on what is almost regarded as a haunted bedroom, and every endeavour has been put forth in order to gain a clue as to the cause of the strange visitation.
Beverley and East Riding Recorder, 23rd June 1906.