A Ghost Story.
Yesterday, Mrs Barbara Coltman, shipowner, who did not appear, but who was represented by Mr Wheldon, solicitor, was summoned before the South Shields Bench by Mr George Gibson, shipowner, of the same town, for wilful trespass, under somewhat singular circumstances.
Mr Gibson lives in East Winchester Street; so does Mrs Coltman, who is his next-door neighbour. As Mrs Coltman’s house has appeared to be shut up for some time, it has long been conjectured by the neighbourhood that that lady “was not at home.” At any rate she has not been at home to numerous calls that have been made upon her recently. But while Mrs Coltman has been non est, Mr Gibson’s family has been troubled with a kind of spirit-rapping, not at all agreeable or comfortable.
Panes have been broken in the windows in a mysterious manner, clothes’-horses have been set out in Mr Gibson’s back-yard with ghostly-looking sheets spread out in the most artistic style upon them; and Susan the maid, and other female members of the family, have got terrible frights from sundry apparitions. One night this week, however, the mystery to some extent was solved, for the ghost, in the form of a stout lady, was observed coming across a green-house into the yard, and upon being spoke to it turned out to be Mrs Coltman. The Bench fined the lady 2s damages and costs.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 17th November 1860.
Trespass and damage.
Mrs Barbara Coltman, of East Winchester-street, was summoned for maliciously trespassing on premises in the occupation of Mr George Gibson. Mr C. Wawn, jun., appeared for the complainant; Mr R. Wheldon, jun., fo rthe defendant. It appeared from some evidence that for some time past Mr Gibson had been annoyed by having coals thrown through his windows, and also that a ladder in the yard was constantly being moved. Mrs Coltman, who lived next door, was suspected, and instructions were given o watch her.
Two servants, in the complainant’s service, stated that on the night of Wednesday, the 7th instant, they saw Mrs Coltman on the top of the wall between the two houses, and walking along the top of the greenhouse. A second time, one of the witnesses observed her peeping behind the chimney, and looking over the wall.
In cross-examination, it was elicited tha tMrs Coltman was a stout lady, between 50 and 60 years of age, and they knew of no motive why she should go into the complainant’s yard. The wall was a high one. Mr Gibson said that some lime had been knocked off the wall, and he thought it would take 2s or 3s to repair it.
Mr Wheldon, for the defence, said that he was instructed to deny the complaint, and contended that the evidence was not sufficiently strong to convict his client upon. No motive had been shown why she should get over the wall, and the fact of Mr Gibson being a creditor was the strongest reason why she should keep on friendly terms with him. He also contended that the witnesses were mistaken in what they had seen – the night was dark, and no light in the yard; and that having been told to watch Mrs Coltman, they were under the impression the moment they saw some one on the wall that it must be her.
The bench said that although they could see no reason why Mrs Coltman should do as was stated they were satisfied with the evidence of the witnesses, and ordered the defendant to pay 2s, with the costs of the court.
Shields Daily Gazette, 22nd November 1860.