John Beall, of Waukon, Iowa, a man about 40 years of age, committed suicide recently, by swallowing a dose of rat poison. The immediate cause was a charming young widow, at whose feet he had laid the humble offering of his love. His affection was not returned, and in his desperation he took his life. He, however, swore that he would return from the spirit world and haunt his fair enchantress. He has kept his word.
The widow lives in one portion of a double house, and her immediate neighbours bear witness to the fact that Beall’s ghost roams the earth nightly and disturbs the slumbers of the beautiful woman. They have seen lights and heard strange rappings at unseemly hours, and unless there is a sudden termination of the proceedings they propose to vacate the premises. The widow is growing haggard and pale from the nocturnal frights she is experiencing and her life is a constant horror.
Lakes Chronicle and Reporter, 13th April 1888.