Newspaper Clipping of the Day

Via Newspapers.com

This little news item relating stories of everyday life in 19th century Iowa appeared in the “New York Times,” May 7, 1874:

The following thrilling story of ghosts and ghostly manifestations is given to the world by the Des Moines (Iowa) Register: 

Ever since the Third street spook raised such a rumpus, ghostly visitors appear to have become numerous. Closely following the sudden demise of the uncertain spirit that disturbed the denizens of the Fourth Ward, were heard rumors of ghost-power running sewing machines. Several citizens well known testify that the wheels were turned by some unknown and invisible agency. This was followed by unnatural lights blazing on the walls and looking as green as an evening paper man afflicted with yellow jaundice. 

On Cherry street a resident reports that invisible bells are tinkled at unseemly hours. The tintinnabulation is like that of a Chicago charm bell, and is heard in different parts of the house, but never very close to any person. When any one goes to the place where it has been heard, the tinkling appears to be just back of him. 

A house on Locust street is afflicted with a bright light shining in a certain place on the wall of a bedroom. The light is plainly visible at a distance, but disappears whenever any one gets close to it. Another peculiarity is that it shines as brightly during the day as at night, although it is necessary to close the shutters and darken the room during the sunlit hours in order to see the spook in all its brilliancy. 

A Tenth street dog sees ghosts, but whether of man, beast, or book peddler is not explained. The animal will suddenly start from sleep and make a fierce attack upon some invisible foe, frequently following it around the house, growling and barking all the time. It has indulged in this phantom fighting for over two years. The phenomenon always occurs In daylight. 

One night last week a prominent citizen was awakened by the music of his piano, played most sweetly to the tune of “Robin Adair.” His daughter, the only musician in the house, was absent at the time, and he hurried to the parlor to see who it was thus charming the night with the sweetest melody of the time. Arriving there he found the apartment empty and the piano closed and locked. 

A lady residing in East Des Moines became very much interested in the Third street ghost, and made several visits to the locality where it was reported to be boarding. One evening, accompanied by several other ladies, she was at the house, returning home about 10 o'clock. Two of the ladies went into the parlor with her, and sat down to talk over the ghost. Suddenly a large music-box on the mantel commenced to play, continuing through five tunes, the instrument being geared for ten. When it ceased, the box was examined, and found to be entirely run down. It was replaced on the mantel, and a moment later it commenced to play again, continuing until all the tunes were played. 

In another house the gas in a certain room is frequently lighted by invisible matches. The person occupying the apartment has often gone to sleep after turning off the gas, and awakened hours after to find it brightly burning. Again it would be turned off, and at daylight the blaze would be as vivid as ever. This is a good-natured spook, for comparison of the gas bill before this phenomenon commenced and since its existence shows no increase in the amount consumed. 

A lady of eminent social position and undoubted truthfulness assured the author, a few days since, that her buried child frequently appeared to her when she visited the room where he died. In the course of the conversation the lady said that her sweetest moments were during those silent intervals with her lost darling.  Every feature of his face appears to her perfectly natural, and he always seems to clasp in his hands a favorite toy that lay on his bed when he died. Strange to say, the mother never remembers how the image is dressed. 

The above statements are told as given by the parties themselves, none of whom are of a character to be guilty of falsehood or of a desire to mislead.  They are undoubtedly sincere in the belief that they have seen and heard the phenomenon named.

I tip my hat to Des Moines for being a much more entertaining place than I had thought.  It sounds like a veritable Fortean Disneyland.