VAN TASSEL'S GHOST

I think I love these old ghost stories the best, and this one is also an early account of a ghost hunt as well, which makes it extra special. Problem is, this one seems pretty fake, would be interesting to find out more info, but so far I haven't found anything. Don't get me wrong, the article is 100% real, so it myself in the 1884 newspaper - but I think that back in 1884 a couple of guys might have gotten together to put on a show for their neighbors. But how they did it I don't know.

Newark Daily Advocate (Newark, Ohio) - February 25, 1884

VAN TASSEL'S GHOST

A Curious Apparition That Excited General Superstitions

NEWBURG, N. Y., Feb. 25. - The threatened reappearance of the ghost of old William Van Tassel has demonstrated that the good people of Orange county do not fear "spooks" and are willing to investigate one when and wherever they can find it. A reporter of the World called on James Van Tassel, who, it was alleged, received the charge from the ghost, this evening - after the hour for the reentree - and found him surrounded by his neighbors, among whom were James Chet Almora, Rice Steven, Gil Baily, Sam Jones and George and Mr. Stall.

When approached by the reporter James said the apparition that he and his brother-in-law saw did not resemble his father. It looked like a child five years old and had neither arms nor legs. He heard it say that James Henry Hoffman, his brother-in-law, could not come to the property. Then it vanished. Although he does not believe spooks, James says he cannot but believe his eyes.

True to contract, as James would lead people to suppose, the spectre returned again last evening at the appointed hour, and all the neighbors had gathered to greet it. A noise was first heard outside of the house about 6 o'clock. An investigation was made but nothing discovered. The party went into the house and remained until between 7:30 and 8 o'clock, when another noise, which sounded like the groans of a human being, was heard, and the party went out determined to see what was the cause. When they looked around the premise they discovered a brilliant light about three hundred yards from the house, it started from the ground and gradually ascended skyward. As it floated through the air it slowly sailed to the northeast, although the wind was blowing strongly from the west. It had the appearance of a man's head and neck, but it was much larger than any James had ever seen.

It did not, however, look like his father. The neighbors stood and looked at it in amazement as it floated in a direction contrary to the prevailing strong wind. It took about five minutes for it to gradually recede out of sight. As it bore away from the mountain side it presented a sight not unlike a fire-balloon. The head and neck figure was there, however, and was a source of great wonderment to the party, who were unable to discern its meaning.