Newspaper Clipping of the Day

Via Newspapers.com

Imagine the rom-com this story would make.  The "Oregon Daily Journal," December 4, 1902:

Hillsboro, Ore. Nov. 29. Another ghost story, thrilling in the extreme, has come to light, this time the vicinity of Cedar Mill, this county, being the scene of the operations of this unwelcome guest. 

For two weeks past the home of William King, a farmer, has been besieged by what was supposed to be a ghost or other supernatural being. The home of Mr. King is situated about one hundred yards from a strip of timber, and during the quiet hours of the night something could be heard trying to gain an entrance to the house. Apples were thrown against the windows and pieces of wood against the doors. A systematic search failed to disclose who or what caused the disturbance. 

King one evening dressed himself in female attire and went out upon the porch, hoping to catch the wary ghost. He had no sooner approached a tub of water than a large piece of wood, which seemed to come from above, fell in the tub, completely drenching him. He returned to the house more mystified than ever, and on the following morning told his annoyances to his neighbors. 

Sheriff Sewell was appealed to, and in company with E. J. Lyons, of this city, went to the scene of the trouble late one evening last week and watched for developments. Nothing occurred while the Sheriff was on the ground, and that officer declared that it was his opinion the trouble rested with, some member of the family. The following day apples and clubs flew in abundance in broad daylight and the whole community was terrified. 

As the shades of evening began to fall the trouble increased, and a systematic search of the premises was made by an organized party of neighbors, and the longer the search was continued the more troublesome the ghost became. The cause of the disturbance, which had by this time become a nightmare to the whole community, was discovered by John King, a brother of William, about 22 years of age, the following day, when he visited the premises unknown to the family of William King. He caught Miss Jennie Seversal, a 14-year-old girl, who was staying at the home of William King, in the act of throwing apples at the house, and when he charged her with being the guilty party she broke down and made a clean confession. 

As far as can be ascertained, for the matter has been kept as quiet as possible since the discovery, Jennie had become infatuated with John King. She has been at the home of William King for about two months having come there from the Catholic school in or near Salem.  Charles King, father of William and John, recently lost his house by fire, all at this time living together.  A temporary home was provided a few miles away until a new structure could be erected. The new house was completed a short time before the supposed ghost put in an appearance and the elder King and his son, John, took up their abode therein, leaving William and his family and Jennie in the temporary home, thus separating Jennie from the object of her affection. 

The frivolous young girl conceived the idea that by terrorizing the King family and making them believe the house was haunted they would return to the home of the elder King as before, and she would once more be under the same roof with the one upon whom her affections were centered.

Paranormal outbreaks are often unfairly blamed on the nearest available adolescent, so who knows if Jennie was indeed responsible for the uproar.  If she was, I doubt if the young lady got her man in the end.  Few people want to date a poltergeist.