DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70303#0085
THE HAMMERSMITH GHOSTS. 67
sober. The neighbourhood had for about two months been ■
disturbed with the report of a ghost; but she did not be-
lieve, nor had ever heard, that her brother had assumed
such an appearance.
Mr. John Lock, wine merchant, in Black Lion-lane, Ham-
mersmith, said, that as he was returning home from the Plough
and Harrow, on the evening of Tuesday last, about half past
10 o’clock, in company with Mr. Geo. Stow, he was accosted
by Francis Smith, one of his Majesty’s officers of excise,
■who asked to speak with him. Upon going aside, Smith
informed him that he had shot a man, who he believed to
be the ghost. The witness informed Mr, Stow'of the cir-
cumstance, and they accompanied Smith to the place.
They found the deceased lying in a cross lane leading from
Beaver-lane to Black Lion-lane, upon his back, apparently
dead. The wound was under his left under jaw, and the
skin of his face was exceedingly black. Smith did not ap-
pear sensible that he had done any thing wrong, till the
witness 'warned him of the consequences of such a step. He
then seemed much affected, and said, that he had spoken
twice, but had received no answer, and that the night was
very dark,
William Girdler, a watchman, said, that he had a slight
acquaintance with the deceased. That the neighbourhood
had been much alarmed for two months past, with the ru-
mour of a ghost walking through Black Lion-lane. That
he went bis rounds as usual on Tuesday evening last.. That
he had appointed to meet with'Francis Smith, in order to go
in search of the ghost.. They had exchanged a watch-
word, which they were to use.—When the witness came
near Mr. Stow’s house he heard the report of a gun, and a
few minutes afterwards, as he was going to the White Hart
public-house, he met a young woman, who told him that
he was wanted. Having gone on a little way, he met
Smith, and asked him what.intelligence ? Smith answered,
k 2 very
sober. The neighbourhood had for about two months been ■
disturbed with the report of a ghost; but she did not be-
lieve, nor had ever heard, that her brother had assumed
such an appearance.
Mr. John Lock, wine merchant, in Black Lion-lane, Ham-
mersmith, said, that as he was returning home from the Plough
and Harrow, on the evening of Tuesday last, about half past
10 o’clock, in company with Mr. Geo. Stow, he was accosted
by Francis Smith, one of his Majesty’s officers of excise,
■who asked to speak with him. Upon going aside, Smith
informed him that he had shot a man, who he believed to
be the ghost. The witness informed Mr, Stow'of the cir-
cumstance, and they accompanied Smith to the place.
They found the deceased lying in a cross lane leading from
Beaver-lane to Black Lion-lane, upon his back, apparently
dead. The wound was under his left under jaw, and the
skin of his face was exceedingly black. Smith did not ap-
pear sensible that he had done any thing wrong, till the
witness 'warned him of the consequences of such a step. He
then seemed much affected, and said, that he had spoken
twice, but had received no answer, and that the night was
very dark,
William Girdler, a watchman, said, that he had a slight
acquaintance with the deceased. That the neighbourhood
had been much alarmed for two months past, with the ru-
mour of a ghost walking through Black Lion-lane. That
he went bis rounds as usual on Tuesday evening last.. That
he had appointed to meet with'Francis Smith, in order to go
in search of the ghost.. They had exchanged a watch-
word, which they were to use.—When the witness came
near Mr. Stow’s house he heard the report of a gun, and a
few minutes afterwards, as he was going to the White Hart
public-house, he met a young woman, who told him that
he was wanted. Having gone on a little way, he met
Smith, and asked him what.intelligence ? Smith answered,
k 2 very