GHOST LOSES HOME

Evening Star, Issue 19778, 31 January 1928, Page 11

GHOST LOSES HOME

SALE OF KIDDALL HALL RELIC OF OLD TIMES. Kiddall TL4I, reputed to have been built in the twelfth century, is now being pulled down, packed np, and sent to Scotland. This being so, the ghost of John Ellis, murdered by the Roundhead followers of Fairfax, is put out of residence unless it goes northwards too. The foreman in charge, who is a Londoner, says: ‘‘ We shall see.” The place, which was known in years gone by as Kidd Hall, is a charming old farmhouse, which stands on the north side of the road from Leeds to Tadeaster, about two miles from Seacroft. Its new owner and its destination are kept a close secret by the firm making the removal. For all that, good English people and antiquarians will feel kindly disposed to this anonymous purchaser for saving this fine building for Britain.

Every stone which has an important position has been marked, so helping, when the building is being re-erected, for they will all be placed in .the same relative position in Scotland as they were in Yorkshire. The timber and stonework is in excellent condition. _ There was a very beautiful oriel window attached to the building, but this has been removed to London for safe keeping. On it ran a Latin inscription, which, translated, reads: “Pray for the good estate of Thos. Ellys and his wife, Anna, who made this window, 3300.” The hall was in the possession of the Ellis family from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century. The unfortunate Jolnvwho was murdered was a staunch Royalist. Everybody in the village has heard of the ghost, but no one has ever seen it. ■ Another tale that centres round tha hall is that Dick Turpin once broke into it and stole a large sum of money that had been collected as rates and taxes from the people of the countryside.