Poltergeists

We open a new October series–Creature Feature, with a lurid goblin orgy.

Spiritualist Emma Hardinge Britten tells of a terrifying phantom stalker who could apparently project himself through time and space.

The case of “The Watcher” letters reminded me of this similar historic case of a phantom poison-pen letter-writer.

A Suffolk witch story from 1877, involving a spell meant to be cast on a man, but transfered to his wife, who suffered for years under the bewitchment. In a series of ill-spelt letters, the witch confesses and suggests a transfer of the spell to its rightful owner.

“Maisons de la foudre:” Lightning-induced Spontaneous Combustion Can a lightning strike trigger recurring, mysterious fires, as happened in 1906 France?

In part two of this story of a phantom persecuting a famous French actress, things are about to get worse. As if having senses-stunning shrieks coming out of nowhere wasn’t bad enough, Mademoiselle Clarion found herself the victim of an even more threatening type of mystery assault.

The Ghost of a Dead Mother Visits Her Baby Mother’s Day is coming up, so I feel obligated to do something on the theme of maternal devotion, since last year I rather savaged Motherhood in a piece on Maternal Influence and Monsters. Prepare to be heart-warmed.

Polt or Possessed on Prince Edward Island?A young Canadian girl is followed by mysterious rappings and fires. No, it’s not Mary Ellen of Antigonish–the case occurs a decade earlier and her family swore they saw her levitate.

L’affaire des franges – A Versailles Mystery At Versailles, an audacious theft from the Sun King; and an inexplicable event at the King’s dinner.