A GHOST STORY? EXETER, 1845.

The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of the first of November, 1845 reported this mystery:

"On Saturday night, Mr. Lang, a master mariner residing in this city, visited the Union Inn in Waterbeer-street, at about a quarter to eleven, and partook of a glass of gin and peppermint in a little parlour at the back, which looked out onto a small court. 

"Whilst in this situation his attention, he says, was attracted by something going on in the court; and on going out he saw - either in a dream or in reality - four men with a full-sized coffin, which they let down into a well.  The sturdy seaman was rather frightened, but did not address them; and on going home he told what he had seen..

"On Sunday evening a formal communication was made to the authorities, and a body of police marched from the station house, silent as the grave itself,  through Parliament- street to the Union Inn, the keeper of which, on being informed of their object, indignantly denied any participation in the foul deed imputed.  His visitors, however, proceeded to the search, piloted by Mr.Lang.

"When arrived at the well, the appearance of the boarding by which the mouth of it is covered, was a perfect poser,  as it had not apparently been removed for years. However, under the joint exertions of such a force the woodwork was raised in a twinkling, and all gazed in wonder and in silence into the abyss beneath.  To descend into it, even after a coffin, was testing the ardour and  devotedness of a policeman a little too severely,  - besides the officers were arrayed in their Sunday uniforms;  and under the exigencies of the occasion they deemed it prudent to send for Mr. John Rouse.   Mr. Rouse, jun., presently came, and found that there was 18 feet of water in the well, which has been disused so long that the water drawn up had anything other than an odiferous quality.

"The police were not satisfied, and the search was pursued.  To the end of a long line was fastened a heavy hammer, and the turbid water was disturbed by it being let down.  This was rattled about and a vapour was emitted such as might have formed a very reasonable excuse for men being driven from their post;  but the 'duty men'  who were here, endured the stench bravely.

"At length, however, the hammer struck against 'something' and 'this must be the coffin for sure.'  All were now on the qui vive.  A grapple was obtained; but instead of a coffin, up came an old and ponderous lintel, that probably for years had lain undisturbed at the bottom of the well!!!

"Those on duty of course, laughed not, - this would have been indecorous, - but others, who did not conceive themselves under an equal obligation, roared outright.  Mr. Lang looked all astonishment but still adhered to his statement, nor does anything appear capable of removing the strong impression from his mind, of the perfect reality of what he declares he saw."

Make of it what you will!

Did policemen really have Sunday uniforms?

Gin and peppermint sounds worth a try!