GHOST IN VILLAGE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 88, 7 January 1933, Page 11

GHOST IN VILLAGE

Has Terrifying Features “FACE HANGING IN AIR” A ghost with a face horribly twisted and scarred, eyes that blaze, and a head covered with a shock of white hair, Is said to be haunting the countryside around Gibside Hall and the railway track which runs through the little colliery village of Burnoptield, England, Many people claim to have seen the apparition, and even state that its appearance on the colliery wagon-way is heralded by a prelude of clangs like a sledge-hammer striking metal. A man who is very definite that he saw the ghost, said; “I was coming down the line to get to Burnopfield, when I was stopped by hearing several metallic clangs—just like those a platelayer makes when laying or repairing rails. “After stopping for a few moments, I walked on, but my progress "-as again arrested by seeing a face hanging in mid-air—a face horribly twisted and scarred. The eyes blazed in a terrible ami eerie way. "I saw the face for a second, then I heard a thunderous roar like hundreds of coal wagons out of control, on the line. I did not stop for any more, but turned and ran.” The so-called apparition was seen again near Gibside Hall, the untenanted residence of the Countess of .Strathmore, by a young couple out for a walk. On this occasion, however, the ghost wore a cowl like that of a monk. The older folks in the village are now recalling that in 1879 a platelayer was killed on Burnopfield Bank Railway in a curious way. He was struck by the wire rope which had become detached from the coal wagons while in motion.