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| Mary Ellen and her cat, from the Washington Times, 2nd April 1922 |
Playing on the great interest of readers around the account of the Fire Spook of the McDonald (or MacDonald, they can never seem to make up their mind on the correct spelling) Farm, the Herald and Evening Mail offered a $30 dollar reward for any theories that would help solve the case of the mysterious fires. It was actually to be divided up between the three best answers to the problem, with the best solution getting $15, second best $10 and third best $5....
This proved to make the articles even more popular, and it seems the paper had a lot of readers writing in with all sorts of reasons for the haunting...and it is these responses we'll be taking a look at in this part of my coverage of the story. So let's get right into it....
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All of these letters come from The Evening Mail, dated the 27th and 30th January, 1922.....
SAYS FAIRIES BRAID TALE OF HORSES
I think it is a ghost, or perhaps there is money buried under the house and the fires are a warning. It is the fairies that braided the horses mane and tail, because they drove it at night, and the fairies are also repsonsible for the fires.
LENA BURKEY,
21 Grafton Street.
* * *
AFRAID WITCHCRAFT IS BEING REVIVED
It is nothing more or less than witchcraft. The animals in the barn prove this to be the case. I thought this was done away with, but I see that it is reviving.
MRS. GEORGE BRUNT,
Fairview.
* * *
BLAMES FIRES ON BLACK ART BOOK
We have often heard of a Black Art Book, and I really do believe that someone connected with the house has the book that causes all this mischief.
EDWARD BARNARD,
Mahone Bay.
* * *
SOMEONE PRACTICES MAGIC INFLUENCES
After closely following the description of the fires. at Caledonia Mills, I would suggest as an explanation for the cause, that someone closely connected with the family is practicing that magic influence "Black Art."
THOMAS LANNON,
203 Gottingen Street.
* * *
SAYS IT IS NOT A LIVING ENEMY
If it is not a living enemy, it is an evil spirit throwing light on some crime that has been commited about the premises. There might have been some wicked person at one time living in the house, who has since passed away, with some bad crime connected with the death. God works in mysterious ways.
WILLIAM BROWN,
27 James Street.
* * *
SUGGEST INSPECTOR TO VISIT PREMISES
My theory is that it is no ordinary moonshine they are manufacturing down there, but genuine jill water, and a revenue officer would be the best extinguisher. I would advise equipping him with an asbestos cork, otherwise he might get lit up too.
W. L. MUSGRAVE,
193 Brunswick St.
* * *
REFUSE COTTON TO LINE CASKET
I think that probably, many years past, neighbors of those people's past generations have died, and the casket was made in the country which is very often the case. Now these people have refused to give some cotton to line the inside of the casket and, in my estimation this is the cotton that was burning in many places in the house, to remind the occupants of the good they could have done towards helping those other people who more than likely were in great need at the time.
M. MacDONALD,
Halifax.
* * *
COMBINATION OF CHEMICALS BLAMED
I believe that the fires are caused by a combination of chemicals, having the merits of combustion after being exposed a certain length of time to the atmosphere, for instance, take the blind. This could have been painted with a solution of this nature which when applied would burn so rapidly that surfaces adjoining and not painted, would remain intact. Daubs of this solution painted upon walls, doors, furniture, etc. at stated intervals could cause such a phenomenon. Cotton, which was found on boards of the ceiling, which had been taken down and swept the day before, could not have got there without material aid.
MRS. JOHN BYRON HARTLIN,
11 Lawrenee Street.
* * *
DISTURBED SPIRIT CAUSE OF FIRES
My idea of the mysterious fires at Caledonia Mills is that a disturbed spirit is causing them. This spirit when in mortal body may have during its life suffered indignities by being placed in such a dependent and humble position that it could not resent them openly but brood over them daily.
Being in such a position it is natural to assume that cheap cotton garments formed much of the earthly apparel which only made it more remorseful and vengeful.
These cheap cotton clothes now torn to rags are being put to their present and annoying use of igniting fires. Natural gas, radium, animal magnetism, chemicals, etc. are entirely put out of the question in this particular case, as these could not by any means set cattle loose and change horses in their stalls. Sometimes someone has been placed in a very subordinate position and is showing resentment.
N. E. MORSE,
Halifax.
* * *
FINDS HIS HORSES SHAKING WITH FEAR
My grandfather told me long, long ago about the same thing happening at his home. One morning, he found his horse, in the stable, shaking with fear. The animal's mane and tail had been plaited in much similar manner, to that which was described as happening at Antigonish.
Grandfather always claimed it was a witch, who was responsible. He told me how it could be stopped, but I have forgotten now. If you would like the information however I could write to my grandfather for it. There are some people who don't believe in witches, but such things exist. I didn't believe in them until my grandfather told me his story.
JAMES McLEAN,
Inverness.
* * *
MR. SPOOK HAS FOOLED HIMSELF
The "mystery" is a mystery no longer - that is to me. Mr. "spook" over stepped himself by materialization. If he had stuck to "spookdom" by applying his selective formula for producing slow combustion with less visible or tangible objects, such as absorbent cotton and rags, the mystery may never have been solved. It looks like an outside job with perhaps the knowledge - but I'll let it go at that.
Certain chemicals compounded and applied to an object make that object non-combustible. Why not a compound causing slow combustion? My idea is this, far-fetched perhaps, but feasible, I think.
Example: Take three chemicals of certain nature, uniting Nos. one and two results in instantaneous combustion. When No. three is added it reduces instantaneous to slow by atmospheric absorption.
These chemicals, in solution, confined in an airtight receptacle would remain harmless. On contact with the atmosphere, combustion begins, slowly increasing in volume as number three chemical evaporates. A person in possession of such formula and a wad of cotton, could dab this solution on walls, doors and other objects, causing fire to break out here, there and everwhere, at stated intervals, discarding the cotton behind furniture, pictures, or even sticking it between cracks in the ceiling boards.
Mr. McDonald sure put one over on Mr. "Spook" when he took down those ceiling boards cleaning and replacing them.
Solution : Look for a person with a knowledge of Chemistry.
G. W. C.,
P. O. Box 129
* * *
DALHOUSIE MOUNTAIN HAD SIMILAR CASE
I am sending you an account of a happening similar to that in Alexander McDonalds, Caledonia Mills, in regard to the strange behaviour of cattle. It took place on a farm near the top of Dalhousie Mountain, Pictou county, 35 years ago.
The first evidence of strange happenings in this quiet place was one evening, when the cows began to bellow, as if in mortal terror. The people rushed to the barn, but on arriving found everything in quietness. The cattle were wet and terrified. This happened several times, and always when the people reached the barn, the cattle would quiet down.
After several days of these happenings they heard the same disturbance as before, but on this occasion, and following ones, they found the barn door open, and some of the cattle outside, and the rest inside on the barn floor. To reach the barn floor from the cow stanchions, it was necessary to pass through a small door, hardly large enough to admit a man, and impossible to allow an ordinary cow to pass. The people became alarmed and as the old superstitions were prevalent at this time, the people believed that the cattle were under a spell, bewitched by someone. Some of the more skeptical people determined to go and see what had taken place.
They took with them iron chains and hay wire, and after securely fastening the cattle with chains, and closing the stanchions, they took the hay wire, and twisted it in such a manner that neither the chains nor the stanchions could be opened without pliers in less than an hour.
After fastening all the cattle, the men went out of the barn and nailed up the doors securely. Inside of five minutes, the door opened and the cattle came out as before wet and terrified.
On examination, it was found that the hay wire was neither cut or broken, but unloosened as were also the iron chains.
The men were completely mystified - but no longer skeptical. Several men who were present are still living, and the story may be corroborated by them. According to tradition, this is the third happening of this kind in Pictou county.
C. MARGARET MacKAY,
R. R. No. 1, Scotsburn Station,
Pictou.
* * *
THINKS THERE IS OIL UNDER HOUSE
The cause of the fires in Antigonish is that there is an oil well under the house and some person or persons know about it and do not want any of the McDonalds to know. Therefore they want to drive the whole family away out and take possession of the house.
D. McPHERSON,
29 Prince Street, Halifax.
* * *
IS FORERUNNER OF POPE'S DEATH
In reference to the mysterious fires, that occurred in the home of Alexander McDonald, the only conclusion that I have come to is that it was a forerunner of Pope Benedict's death.
A. J. MacINTOSH,
Thorburn.
* * *
THINKS SATAN MAKES HIS RESIDENCE THERE
When the people left the old house, no more fires took place in the old or new house. If this is so, whoever haunts the house must be bothering the cattle, or perhaps the devil is making his home there, or some demons are doing mischief, or the ghost or spirit hates the McDonalds.
HERBERT COOK,
Box 321, Trenton.
* * *
OCCULT INFLUENCE MAY BE THE CAUSE
Such phenomena as those reported from Antigonish have occurred from subtle occult influence. In the case of the Amerherst mystery the cure was effected by two worm powders administered by a Springhill doctor. The presence of animal life had disturbed the electric current, and probably for some reason, this has happened in the case of one of the occupants of the McDonald house and the exercise of such power would be altogether involuntary - as according to the law of Psychic phenomena, the power can usually be produced at will.
J. E. WARNER,
Parrsboro.
* * *
WOULD STARVE WITCH OUT OF THE HOUSE
I think it is the work of a witch in the house of Mr. McDonald. I would advise them to draw a horse on the barn door and fill it full of horse shoe nails and for a bow, shingle nails and when the first person comes to the barn or house, don't let them in or give them anything to eat or drink, not even a drink of water, not even your brother or father or neighbor. Try this.
GEORGE SMITH,
Armdale P. O., Spryfield.
* * *
WORK OF SOME UNKNOWN ENEMY
My opinion of the mysterious fires, is that they have been set by some unknown enemy, who, in some mysterious way has distributed those pieces of cloth through the house, and it may be the instigator has a pal in the house as it looks very suspicious where no one know where the cotton came from, nor when it was placed at different intervals throughout the house.
As these acts were carried on in the barn for the first two weeks convinces me that it must have been the work of an enemy, and when they found this did not work, they tried something more alarming, and have succeeded in driving the occupants from their home. In time you will find that it is a living spirit possesssed of devils.
PERCY R. SANFORD,
Hanstsport.
* * *
BELIEVES PLACE TO BE HAUNTED
I read about the mysterious fires, and I think the place is haunted. Why doesn't Mr. McDonald ask the ghost why it is trying to burn down his home? I am sure the ghost will answer him. Perhaps there is someone who is jealous of his property and is wishing this on him so as to drive him away from his home. This could happen.
My grandmother couldn't keep a cow. This happened some years ago. Every cow she had would die or there would be some accident to happen to it. She took the heart from one of the cows, stuck pins in it, and boiled it till the perosn who had wished this misfortune on the cows came to her. I am sure if Mr. McDonald did something like this he would find out how and why they tried to burn his house.
A. B. COIT,
Halifax
* * *
SOMEONE STUDIED FROM BAD BOOKS
Someone who must have studied bad books has probably a grudge against Mr. McDonald and is doing this kind of work to chase the family from their home. If you see such things as strange cotton lying around again, put them in the stove and burn them. Also nail a horseshoe above the door where the people pass in and out, and one above the stable door, and if it is witchery going on, that will stop it, and if anyone is going in and out of the house, who you think is suspicious, stick a sowing awl in the bottom of a chair on which they are going to sit, and if it is that person, they will not be able to arise from the chair again until you pull the awl out.
MISS A. ZWICKER,
Milton.
* * *
THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL SPIRITS
My opinion is that the fires starting under such strange and abnormal circumstances have been caused by no other means than the influence of evil spirits. We know that the devil is manifesting his power in different forms such as spiritualism, ouija board, etc., but why should they choose to take possession of the home of a respected family we do not know. As the fires could not be started by natural means, we cannot but think, that it is the work of evil spirits under the control of Satan.
MRS. C. V. LLARROD,
Fairview.
* * *
RICH MINERALS ON THE PROPERTY
I think that the land around the house contains some sort of mineral and that some persons unknown wish to secure it. While Mr. McDonald was away from the barn the "spook" entered and unfastened the cattle. This probably explains the cattle being changed and as to the horses perspiring with fright, the spook would be dressed in white, and this would scare any horse in the dark.
Sometimes, when the occupants of the house were away, the spook entered the house and distrubuted some kind of chemical on the various articless that caught fire. When the temperature was at a certain height, probably very cool, for when the fires took place, the fires in the stove were out, or when the article came in contact with any force, the chemical ignited, and being only in small quantities the flame would be very small. As to the fires in the ceiling, mice may have ignited the chemical.
CORNELIUS SIMMONS,
908 Barrington St.
* * *
(This next letter seems to have been printed as sent - Deadpan Flook)
HERE'S THE SOLUTION "VAMPIRE MYSTERY"
After closely I follow the description of the fires, at Caledonia Mills, I would suggest as an explanation for the cause as I witness too many mystery fires at eastern world, my theory is as follows:
Sometime ago, surtny must been commited some crime of an honest person in a very wicked and bad death, in remorseful and revengeful manner, and burned in Mr. and Mrs. McDonald's home.
So this innocent spirit after certain times turns to vampire, and appears at the moaning place was murdered, as wishing to occupied this premises, as this vampire appears in different forms, as animals, fires, wind or person, "ect."
If present owner of the premises do not agree with the vampire, sometime is punished by the vampire very mysteriously, as whom lives on the premises at present, have to leave and vacate this premises for the vampire.
V. EVANS,
814 Barrington St.
* * *
"SPOOKS" COULD NOT BRAID HORSES' TAILS
The fires which recently occurred at Caledonia Mills are the result of the human mind and were made practicable by the human hand, not "spooks."
That is my hypothesis, founded upon reports published in the Halifax Herald.
Someone, having access to the house, has placed pieces of cotton in the numerous places where the fires suddenly appeared, after first saturating the cotton in a chemical solution which is at present unknown. This chemical, under favourable conditions, is automatically ignited and bursts into flame, being similar to spontaneous combustion.
The person perpetrating this crime (for crime it is) has done so with an ulterior motive in view - that of driving the McDonalds from their home and gaining possession of their house or farm.
__________________________
That "spooks" are the cause of these fires sounds unreasonable and is on second thought, unreasonable. Suppose that the "spirits" had become playful and decided to amuse themselves at the expense of Mr. McDonald: Do they possess the power to braid a horse's tail, draw nails from his stanchion, change his stall, and disappear carrying with them the nails?
Suppose also, there were vast mineral deposits in the cellar of the house or the surrounding land that would cause a fire, would that, too, cause trouble in the stables? Both are improbable.
A competent detective delving into the mystery and investigating would, I think, pay particular attention to the "little cotton rags" from which undoubtedly the fires originated.
RUSSELL M. RAY,
Margaretsville.
* * *
NOT STRANGE IN LIGHT OF THE HOLY WRIT
The "spook" fires in Antigonish County are opportune, in that they awaken, in the minds of the public a desire to know the truth concerning this strange phenomenon. Assuming that these fires are not the work of human instruments, which premise seems admissable, we must enter the realms of the supernatural to find a solution. To those of us who are old-fashioned enough to believe the Bible, the supernatural falls obviously into two classes, that of Good and Evil. But little reasoning is required to safely conclude that the Powers of Good would not be manifested to the destruction of a poor man's home, or the frightening of a feeble old woman. If then the powers of Evil are responsible for the fires in the McDonald home, why was this house selected, and what object has the evil intelligence in such a demonstration?
Humanly speaking these questions cannot be answered, nor can the question of the selection of the McDonald's home be explained at all, for they are people of unquestionable integrity.
The purpose of the unnatural scenes at this house are not strange in the light of certain statements found in Holy Writ.
Spiritualism, known as witchcraft in the olden days, today sponsored by leading scientists and heralded as a panacea for the world's ills, claims to be in touch with the outer world, and doubtless is ; rappings, table turnings, and the playing of musical instruments without hands, and other strange happenings of the seance chamber cannot be explained any more than the Antigonish fires, but they happen and will continue to increase until the world is ready for the master deception mentioned in these texts - 2 Cor. 11:14; Rev.-13:13, 14 ; Thess,- 2:8, 9.
These texts show that greater evidence of Satanic power will be manifest as the world enters the closing scenes of her history, and to the wise, these unexplained phenomena are but a "sign of the times."
PEARL MUNROE,
Mahone.
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So there you have it...that was the theories of 100 odd years ago, and I find myself leaning towards the 'human culprit angle' myself, what with all the cotton pieces lying around and everything..so that should be it, right? Easy mystery, easily solved....now we just need to find a culprit!
Well...no. Not quite. Because only a few days later, the lead journalist of these articles and a local policeman visited the scene of the mysterious fires, and were not so quick to blame a human hand once they had seen the evidence. So much so in fact, that they each put up a $100 reward to anybody who could prove within the next year, that it was NOT supernatural means that started the fires...
What a great read! These responses are nothing short of amazing.
ReplyDeleteYeah, when I stumbled across them I knew I had to include them! So many weird and wonderful theories....
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