Queer Phenomena In Woking Residence.
YESTERDAY’S DOINGS.
Mr. Gerald Balfour Among the “Ghost’s” Large Audience.
[From Our Special Correspondent.]
Woking, Saturday Night.
The town of Woking is just now excited over a ghost which in several particulars presents features of novelty. Woking, except for a neighbouring cemetery. does not suggest spectres. for most of the town is new and bright sad cheerful, and the spot which the ghost —as it may for the present be called, in the of any other explanation—haunts is one of the brightest and most salubrious districts, covered with pretty modern villas.
One of these is at present occupied by Mr. George Holroyd, whose father is a member of the firm of Friary, Holroyd and Healy, the famous Surrey brewers. It is a charming house, obviously of recent date, standing in its own grounds. Its most attractive feature inside is a large hall, with a railed gallery running round it. Above this is the roof, for the house is one of two floors. This hall is the scene of the mysterious manifestations which have begun during the last fortnight.
Mr. Holroyd has lived in the house for just over a year, and nothing in the least weird or uncanny had happened until Thursday, May 4. On the morning of that day, just before noon. the maid heard from the hall what she described as shrieks and moans.
The maid was in the kitchen at the time. Just afterwards, Mr. Holroyd’s son, a youth of twelve years, also heard noises.
When Mr. Holroyd was informed of this, he laughed at the suggestion, and said it must be the result of imagination. The following morning, at precisely the same noises were heard at the same time—about noon.
Mr. Holroyd and his wife were then in the house, as well as the children, the governess, and the maid.
Since then the sounds have been repeated about fifty times. generally in the morning and evening, but never at night.
Children Awakened.
That, perhaps, is the most curious fact, for as a rule these manifestations are during the hours of darkness.
The voice seldom varies, except in its volume. Mr. Holroyd describes it as a shriek, as of a woman in pain or terror, followed by a moan. It has been heard as early as half-past six in the morning, the occasion being Wednesday, May 10, when the cries, echoing through the house, woke the children in their bedroom.
On that day the ” voice” was especially persistent, and was heard nine times in three hours up to half-past nine, and again several times at noon, as well as in the evening. That day, in fact, holds the record at present for the now familiar demonstration. It has been heard as late as a quarter to nine in the twilight. On Tuesday last two very loud shrieks were heard at that time.
Saturday and Sunday last were a blank, which suggests that the “ghost” was spending the week-end elsewhere. But there were several performances yesterday. “At ten minutes past eight o’clock when I was just getting out of my bath,” said Mr. Holroyd, “I heard a very shrill shriek which seemed to come from just behind me. This was succeeded by a long moan, apparently from the stairs.
“Twice this afternoon the sounds were heard, at one o’clock and at four. On the first occasion Mr. Gerald Balfour, once the President of the Local Government Board, and the brother of the ex-Prime Minister, was present, while at four o’clock there was quite a considerable audience.”
Heard by Many People.
Mr. Balfour, whose interest in psychical matters is well known, has paid several visits to the house. Last Wednesday he heard the phenomenon twice, and he was also treated to a kind of “extra turn” by hearing the electric bells ring without visible agency.
On that day also there was an unexplained tapping at therwindows, but much weight need be attached to that.
In addition to the shrieks and moans Mr. Holroyd has heard what he describes as thuds on the stairs, when there was nothing to account for them.
The shrieks and moans have been heard by at least a dozen people, and as Mr. Holroyd’s house is now the Mecca of enthusiasts in these matters the roll is likely to be lengthened. He himself and Mrs. Holroyd preserve an open mind. They are both possessed of iron nerves, and their attitude towards the strange noises is one of mingled curiosity and annoyance. Their young son is happily of the same philosophic temperament.
Various suggestions have been made to explain the noises. In the hall is a stuffed owl in a glass case, and one of the first explanations offered was “owls.” But Mr. Holroyd happens to be particularly familiar with the cries of owls, and, though he admits that the bird can make the strangest sounds, those that are daily heard are, he declares, utterly unlike anything that an owl is capable of. They can, he says, be likened to nothing but the shrieks of a woman.
Even the house dog, a fine bull terrier, is said to be disturbed in his mind. When he hears the shrieks and groans he growls, and hurriedly retires from the hall, and seeks the seclusion of the dining-room.
The house has been thoroughly searched by the police, and the services of an electrical engineer have also been retained. He has not yet finished his investigations. When he has, and when the Psychical Research Society have brought expert knowledge to bear on the mystery, it may be explained.
Lloyd’s Weekly Newspaper, London, England, May 21, 1911