“Ghost” Calls on Policeman

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 171, 10 October 1927, Page 13

“Ghost” Calls on Policeman

Old Woman of the Tombstones UPSET BY LOST BED Weird noises among: the tombstones late at night, and the flitting figure of a little old woman dressed in black and carrying an umbrella, have been- causing disquiet among people living in the vicinity of Bromley, Kent, Parish Church. Almost every night, approaching 12, the dark figure has been seen to pass through the lych-gate, glide along the path, encircle the church, and vanish into the porch. Girls and young men employed at drapery stores overlooking the churchyard at the back, disturbed by the nightly visitations, kept watch. Each night the “ghost” wa* seen to visit a certain tombstone and pause there for some time before disappearing into the church. Deciding to “lay” the “ghost,” they scaled the wall and crept round the churchyard to the porch. Suddenly something black reared up and flapped at them. They fled! Feeling braver in broad daylight, they returned next day and made a search of the churchyard. A Discovery Behind the tombstone which the ghost was seen to visit they found a heap of rugs, blankets, and a feather pillow, hidden under an old door leaning up against the tomb. To see what would happen, they hid the “ghost’s” bed in a distant corner and that night kept watch again. This time the “ghost” appeared as usual about 11 o’clock and visited the tomb, from which it roamed about as if in frantic search for its lost bed. Early next morning a quaint old woman approached a constable on duty at Market Square. She flourished an umbrella and told a tale to him of thieves who had stolen her property. She followed him to the police station and made a complaint. There she was recognised as 75-year-old Miss Mary Squirrel, the strangest character in Bromley. For years Mary Squirrel has not had a roof over her head. She has been sleeping out of doors ever since she had a fight with the Bromley Town Council about her rates. For some time it was known that she slept in the unfinished Grand Hall in the High Street, slipping in when the workmen knocked off at night. Then the Grand Hall was reopened and Miss Squirrel had to find a new shelter. The Vicar’s Secret Nobody knew that she had taken up her quarters in the porch of Bromley Parish Church except the vicar, Canon J. K. Wilson, M.A., and the verger, Mr. Henry Brown. “Yes,” said Mr. Brown, “I have known about the ‘ghost’ for some time. The vicar does not like to turn her out, as she has nowhere else to go. Yet she is well off. I believe she has an income of £2 a week from various sources, including the old-age pension. She was formerly nurse to a titled lady. “We let her keep her bedding in the churchyard on condition that she does not leave it in the porch in the way of the congregation. The old door she props up across the entrance. Before she goes to sleep she hoists her umbrella to keep out the draught and rain. “She is nearly SO, but is as hard and healthy as any man. She has her meals in the local cafes, and ■woe betide any waitress who does not treat her with deference. “Despite her age, Miss Squirrel is keen of sight, and likes nothing better than an afternoon at the pictures. The rest of the day she reads and knits in the public library.” The Bromley police know all about Miss Squirrel, for she has appeared at court several times in the past few years to get “a settlement of her rights,” as she says. She declares that they are all frightened of her.