Newspaper Clipping of the Day

Via Newspapers.com

This odd little story appeared in the “Saint Paul Globe,” October 17, 1903:

COLUMBUS GROVE, Ohio, Oct. 15. Is the farm residence of George Arnold, a leading prohibition politician of the county, located about two and half miles north of here on the Ottawa pike. haunted, and what causes the strange sounds that emanate therefrom? This is the question which not only Mr. Arnold's folks are trying to solve, but neighbors and citizens of Columbus Grove as well. 

One week ago Saturday night the residence was entered and $35 and a revolver were taken from the bookcase in the living room. Mr. Arnold's pension voucher, which was with the money, was found lying on the floor.

Every night since the Arnolds have been troubled by intruders. When they heard strange sounds night after night an investigation was ordered.  Upon appearing at the front door they saw what appeared to be a man and a woman in a strange little cart in the lane which leads to the house from the road. They had no more than left the shelter of the house when the strange beings threw sticks and rocks at the family. It is said that as soon as members of the family leave the house, even though for but a short time, furniture is turned topsy-turvy and everything is strewn about. 

Becoming tired of the strange happenings and perplexed by the embarrassment which his family is compelled to suffer on account of the trouble, Mr. Arnold came to town and engaged a number of guards to watch the house.  One of these guards is ex-Night Watchman Jacob Sheets. Faithfully has he stood for the past several nights, but as yet not able to locate the mysterious sounds nor find any clew to the rock throwers. 

Arnold's first wife and several children died within short periods of one another of consumption. He married again and the children born of the second union assist him in taking care of his farm.

The children of the first union who are still living have gone out to make a way in the world. Most of the strange happenings are said to occur at the house during the absence of the wife. A year or so ago the Arnolds were bothered by mysterious visitors, but after a while, they ceased to come.

This all sounds very much like a poltergeist account, except the family’s attackers appear to have been corporeal--although this reporter seems to suggest that there was something not-quite-human about the mysterious rock-throwers.  In any case, I have been unable to find any resolution to the story.