The Trillick Ghost.
On Sunday evening, as Mr Richie Wilson’s house-keeper was proceeding to the byre to milk, a stone was hurled at her heels. Being alarmed, she returned to the house, and, after relating the occurrence, it was observed that more stones were fired. Wilson, believing that his house was likely to be robbed, sent intimation to the Trillick constabulary, who immediately hastened to the place.
The constabulary, consisting of Constables John Fox, Faulkner, and Patterson, equipped themselves for any emergency that might be likely to arise, should any attempt at robbery be moved, in order to frustrate the design, and capture if possible the perpetrators. About seven o’clock the constabulary arrived, and as they were entering the house several stones were thrown, and needless to say that the constabulary went to work with a will to discover the guilty party.
The out-houses, the lanes, garden, ditches and fields were inspected and scrutinised with as much determination and zeal as if a still-house were expected to be seized within the precincts of the premises. During all the time the search was being prosecuted the stones were flying and falling in all directions without the slightest indication, by either motion or appearance, of their being thrown by an individual. The stones were real substantial land stones, weighing 1 1/2 lb., 2 lbs., and some smaller, and they fell about with harmless effect.
Strange the stones which struck the house were noticed to be larger than those which fell about and struck the wall more forcibly. The other stones fell noiselessly and with design not to touch the by-standers. One stone which struck Constable Fox on the arm did not hurt him, and he felt it as a drop of rain; however, another stone which struck his lamp broke the glass in it.
The windows in Wilson’s house had some panes smashed. Again the stones came from all directions, and some seemed to fall perpendicularly. The stone-throwing being so continuous, Wilson and the constabulary became so annoyed they commenced to fire on their invisible assailants, but these were not one whit intimidated, as they kept up the fire all the time of the musketry.
Besides the constabulary, there were upwards of a dozen people who were collected to assist, and who saw the whole proceedings.
Another strange feature was that Mr Wilson keeps a very cross dog, which was so frightened on this occasion that it could not be got to leave from under a bed in the room.
On Monday night, Constables Fox, Patterson and Bennett went to the place, still expecting to capture the unknown invaders, but with as little effect as on Sunday night; nothing but the stone-throwing was visible, which continued from seven o’clock till nine, when it ceased, during which time over 200 stones were thrown.
I would like to see this accounted for some other way than the acts of spirits or ghosts. – Cor.
People’s Advocate and Monaghan, Fermanagh, and Tyrone News, 13th March 1880.