Netchong, N.J.–The strange antics of furniture, mysterious noises and weird appearances in the house owned by William Mannion, near the Mauseanetcong Iron Works here, have convinced the residents that old Thomas Mannion has kept his threat to haunt his old home in the event of a contest of his will.
The will was contested bitterly, and none of the town’s folks, and especially William Mannion, doubts that it is haunted.
The house was occupied for years by Thomas Mannion, an eccentric character, who, it is said, made a fortune by running a “speakeasy†in his basement, who died recently.
Immediately after the burial, Mannion’s relatives assembled in the old home for a reading of the will. Among other bequests that the testator left the upper story to one of his nieces, the lower floor to another, and the basement to his son. Another son, Michael, was cut off with $5. The will was bitterly contested, but finally a compromise was effected and William became sole owner of the place.
From the day that William took possession of the house until the present, he declares that strange lights have appeared in the windows, loud knocks have been heard on the doors, weird music has been played in the closets, tables have danced around and mirrors have been smashed into pieces. The impression among many is the Mannion’s ghost plays nightly visits to the old home.
Owner is Nervous
As a result of these strange happenings, Williiam Mannion is a nervous wreck. He still occupies the old homestead, but he fears to be alone. No one cares to stay with him.
“After the reading of my father’s will,†Mannion said, in telling of his experiences, “the mourners went away and I retired early. At midnight I was awakened by the touch of a cold hand on my forehead, and I heard strange noises. They sounded like a tapping on the wall.
“I thought at first it was a mouse, but when they continued I got up and struck a light. As I did so I saw a black cloud ascending from under the table. It circled three times around the room and finally assumed the form of a dog. I called it, but it paid no heed.
“I was fairly beside myself. The tapping continued. The table danced, the clock stopped. I noticed it was about half past 12. I called for help, but no one answered. After awhile everything became quiet. I went back to bed, but I could not sleep.
“The next night some friends remained with me. The same occurrences happened. I saw the cloud again and I heard strange voices. My companions heard the voices, but they did not se the cloud. They were very much frightened and left the place. I was alone the rest of the night. Next morning my nerves were completely unstrung. I determined to move from the old homestead, and the afternoon I went to live with my cousins in New York.
Longed to Return
“While I experienced great relief from the change of scene, I longed to be back in Netcong. Last week I returned. For several nights everything was quiet, but now it was bad as ever. At midnight on Monday I was awakened by a sound like a pistol shot. This was followed by a crash of glass and vision of a black shadow, which came up through the floor and disappeared through the window. My father often said that he would haunt the place if his will was in any way contested.â€
Breathless and without either hat or coat Mannion rushed into the rectory of St. Michaels church to which he belongs and told the Rev. Father McCormick that while he was at supper his cup broke and his bread vanished from the table. He asked the priest to visit the house. McCormick did so and remained for several hours. Nothing happened during his stay, but immediately after his departure, according to Mannion.
A strange fatality seems to rest on the whole Mannion family. Five years ago old Mr. Mannion became blind and his wife a cripple for life. Later on two of their children were drowned, another was burned to death, while another – a daughter – and her sweetheart were ground to pieces by a train.
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