LJ Idol: Ghosts
The Norsey Affair
What follows here is a compilation of materials discussing the Norsey Affair, one of the country's most prominent accounts of localized paranormal activity. They were gathered over the past ten years by Richard Ender and Maurice Williams, with supplements provided by the Miskotonic University Library and the researchers at the Devonshire "Scope-Book" Academy. While the compilers may doubt the legitimacy of some of the claims presented herein, it must be noted that this is a volume dedicated to displaying any and all relevant information available, and will thus be useful to psychologists and legal officials as well as those of us more interested in the phenomena themselves. For a more analytical view of the occurrences, refer to the appropriate chapter in Williams' other publication, Ghost-Stories: Truths Untouchable, and Alice Fable's Thirteen Mice in Heaven: Kenneth Norsey's Obsession. It should also be here noted that while the information provided in this volume is by no means complete, it represents all material available to the researchers [Editor's Note: This abridged collection is intended as an overview to the initial phenomena, including only the first and second phases of the encounter, and not including later encounterings including Norsey's own death and the events following]
Contents
- Background information [1 of 15 sources shown here]:
- The first encounter [5 of 8 sources shown here]:
- Excerpt from Charles Taffington's journal
- Excerpt from Claire Barnes' journal
- Excerpts from The Daily Devonshire
- Letter to Nancy Y. from Charles Taffington
- Letter to Dr. Fairmount from Mrs. Norsey
- The second encounter [3 of 10 sources shown here]:
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Relevant Data from Kenneth Norsey's Medical Record, 1926
[Note: His whole medical history is archived in the unabridged volume]
Name: Kenneth H. Norsey
Age: 22
Residence: 52 Sanctum Terrace, Devonshire
Diagnosis: Acute psychosis
[...]
Notes: Mr. Norsey's admittance is in agreement with his conviction. His sentence was suspended in 1925 in accordance with the passage of the new Insanity Hearings' laws. If he again commits any act of violence he will be executed without trial.
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The First Encounter, concerning the account of Charles Taffington and the ghost-scream, and the animal-obsession theme between Taffington and Norsey.
Excerpt from Charles Taffington's journal, dated November 25th, 1926
I am unsure whether or not I should write down what I have just witnessed. I only hope I am not able to read my shaking hand hereafter, to perhaps save myself from reliving the horror. That said, I must record it, to whatever end.
I was on my usual walk tonight, following the Gold Bridge until East Street. It is a windless night, and not too cold for the time of year. I was walking, without any worry of past or future on my mind beyond a desire to dine upon my return. Approaching East Street and about to make my turn-around, I heard a woman's scream. I have heard women scream in distress before, and in fear, or hatred, but I have never heard such a sound as this, though, and I froze, positively chained to the ground. My immediate reaction was of course to find and help her, as I am an upstanding citizen of the township, but I could not locate the direction it came from.
Not wanting to make considerable noise myself, I simply stood and waited for any hint to her location. After a few tense seconds, there was another scream, but -- oh, God, do I dare write it? The second scream was not in the woods nearby, nor under the bridge, nor in any of the houses in the vicinity; no, the scream came this time from inches in front of my face. I am certain it was not the loudness of the scream nor any trick of the night that placed it in such a ludicrous position, for, as I said, it was a windless night, and I felt hot breath hit my face.
I jumped back, and forcing my heart down from my throat, searched around frantically. I threw my arms out in front of me, but there was nothing -- purely nothing. I looked around me; nothing else seemed disturbed, and no changes were made in the lights or doors of the surrounding houses. I waited a little longer, then came home swiftly and noiselessly, periodically checking the silence for more screams or, perhaps, breathing.
My only conclusion is that I am going mad. I hope I am not. I will sleep on it, and in the morning perhaps contact the authorities to see if anything happened last night that could explain this.
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Excerpt from Claire Barnes' journal, dated November 26th, 1926
Note: Claire Barnes was otherwise unconnected with the incident and came forward with this diary entry herself when she learned of the research being done. We feel this information is relevant to interpretation of the first encounter.
[...]Mommy brought home cabbages today. I fed Barks myself, and he was happy that I gave him an extra treet [sic]. Daddy came home late but he says there will be more money because of it, and Mommy is happy. Last night I heard a lady scream and thout [sic] it was Mommy. It wasn't. I looked out the window and a man was standing by the brige [sic]. I think it is funny if that scream was his, he was a big man and the scream was a lady I thout [sic]! Today I will make bread with Mommy and we will have Cabbage Soup if I am a good girl [...]
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Excerpt from The Daily Devonshire, dated November 27th, 1926
[Editor's Note: Police reports show one report made, by Charles Taffington, and a very brief field investigation. Charles made note in his journal of contacting the police and encountering only formalities. The following blurb was listed under "Police Report" for the Thursday paper among twelve other unrelated cases, all of which are listed in the unabridged volume.]
Possible Disturbance?
There have been reports of a woman screaming in acute distress near East Street two nights ago. A Police Investigation has taken place with no indication of any crime or victim. If you have information please contact the Police.
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Letter to Nancy Y. from Charles Taffington, dated December 1st, 1926
[Note: It is unknown what the "previous dreams" mentioned were.]
Nancy,
I trust you made it home safe. It was wonderful to see you and Benny for the week-end. I am sorry, then, to bring up my mental troubles again but I must confide in somebody, and you know the background and have been most willing to listen to me. The dreams will not stop, and I am sure they are connected to that hideous scream I heard -- or felt -- the other night. The previous dreams were not so bad compared to this. Please do not doubt me.
They are all the same, several times a night, one after the other as I wake and return to sleep, uneasily. They begin with a white room, and thousands of white mice running along the floor. I am in a chair, and it is slowly becoming smaller and shorter and closer to the ground; the mice are closer and I can hear them gnashing their teeth. I feel smaller and smaller until I am their size, and could ride one like a horse. As I become smaller I can hear them screaming. It is the scream from the other night. The mice have red eyes. When I become small enough that my height is the height of the mouse on all fours, everything freezes, except the screaming. I cannot help but stare into their bright red eyes, and in them I see hundreds of billions of dying red stars. I feel smaller still, and as I am about to fall into the infinite, burning rodential eclipse, I awaken.
But, Nancy, I still hear the screaming for a moment or two. I do not know how real or unreal it is -- is the scream from my dreams still with me, or was the scream of the waking world permeating my dream?
I do not wish to sleep.
Hoping times are better for you,
Charles.
Post-script. I have not told Abigail. Please do not, she is too fragile.
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Letter to Dr. Fairmount from Mrs. Norsey, dated November 25th, 1926
My dear Dr. Fairmount,
Kenneth is fairing well. I think, after your second treatment, he is beginning to understand a little bit better. The subject of the girl is still something of a problem but the best way we have found to deal with it is to not bring up any "reminders," as you suggested, and of course to distract him if he begins to talk about it. I am sure that he is sorry about the whole ordeal but one simply can't have him talking of it, especially considering the agreement of his release.
Those things are all fine and expected, as discussed; however, there is something that I must impress upon you as disconcerting to me! He has developed an attachment to animals, most unlike any he had in the past. In fact it is so odd that the family cat is even noticing this new found affection and is sleeping every night on Kenneth's bed. I am worried this may be something to worry about. He has never liked animals before. I am beginning to fear it is a ruse, and he plans to...
I mustn't think such things of my child, but it is naive to be blind any more. I blamed myself enough for the first time that I will not let these details slip again. Please tell me I am overexaggerating.
Best,
Mrs. Norsey
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The Second Encounter, concerning the public's reaction to the ghost-scream, and fruition of the animal-obsession.
Front page of The Daily Devonshire, dated December 10th, 1926
GHOSTS IN DEVONSHIRE?
Police were at first completely baffled by the series of reports coming in regarding a "screaming woman," "invisible woman," and "banshee," but with the whole of Devonshire at least familiar with the stories it has become difficult for the police to deny it any longer. Sergeant Marksworth described the first set of calls as, "Alarming. Were we dealing with many assaults carried out by a crazed individual, or perhaps a gang of thugs?" But once they became more plentiful, and more obscure in detail, Marksworth began to realize something else may be happening in our dear town. "The invisible thing in particular is distressing," he remarks, "because you can discredit only so many people before chance or mistake is no longer an option."
The police has made no official decision on how to address the problem, but frustrated locals are suggesting a spiritual intervention. "It's obviously a very, very upset spirit," asserts one anonymous Devonshire resident, "who is in no mood to be interrogated or arrested or anything of the sort. She is perhaps a suicide from long ago. Perhaps someone found her diary. I am only suggesting we open ourselves to possible explanations instead of shutting up the whole thing and surrendering ourselves to ear-muffs and crossing ourselves."
A town meeting will take place next Friday on how to address the "ghost," who is clearly becoming a celebrity and a nuisance to most residents, and a terror to those having faced it more personally. Harvey Gibbons, flutist, told us that he encountered the "ghost" first-hand and urges citizens not to take it lightly. "It tried to crush me, it did," he says, "a big invisible vice-grip. And I could see glowing red eyes." No other reports have indicated any physical attributes other than breath, but perhaps Gibbons' account is merely the first in another wave of attacks.
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Excerpt from Kenneth Norsey's journal, dated December 11th, 1926
I went outside today, diary. I went looking for mice. I don't know why...they seem so beautiful lately, as you know so well. I do not want to hurt them like mother assumes I do. I do not! I do not! I want to cherish them, love them, keep them close to me and warm me and we will all Die together and go to Heaven. I need them all...all the mice in the town. That's why I went outside, remember? Looking for mice...
[here there are several pages missing, but they pick up under the same date]
[...] be back. They can't make me forget her. They believe I am crazy because I write in scratches and suddenly enjoy cats and mice and large, warm dogs to sleep near. Dr. Fairmount told me several times how smart I could be if I forget her, if I forget the mice and the dogs and the cats, if I forget everything but the things he tells me. I will NOT FORGET THEM YOU CANNOT MAKE ME I CANNOT [the rest of this page is large, thick scribbles that may or may not be textual.]
[...] In the morning I will get more mice, diary. I need to get thirteen...thirteen mice, one for each of the holes I dug into her. One for the left eye, one for the right cheek, one for the skull, two for the arms, one for her heart, one for her neck, three for her belly, and three for her legs. Thirteen mice to squeeze inside and take her up to heaven, a heaven of endless stars. Then I will not have to forget: it will be over.
December 12th, 1926
They are all in a box under the shed. I gave them my dinner. We will go searching tonight, when mother thinks I am asleep.
I keep hearing her.
I know they do, too. I am not the only crazy one, or it is she that is crazy and will not forget.
* * * * * * * *
Excerpt from Charles Taffington's journal, dated December 13th, 1926
The dream last night was new. That boy I tutored back in the academy, Norsey, was there; he was with the mice, holding hundreds of them in infinitely large and small hands (they looked normal, but they held so much). The room this time was blue, a wonderful blue. It felt like the sea, including the salty tang on one's tongue and in one's eyes. It was lovely, and peaceful. I stared at this boy I used to know, no older than 14, benevolently holding thousands of mice in his hands, thousands of mice that used to haunt me, and envelope them in waves of soft, warm light. I felt myself grow larger and larger (in contrast to my old dreams), and the mice and Norsey became smaller this time, until they were all bright specks swirling in a void of blue. Instead of the horrid screaming, I heard only the sound of light. The mice were stars. Norsey was a god, cradling his creations and bathing them in brightness. I woke up, the morning coming in clear and bright.
It is as if a fever has broken. Nancy will be pleased, and Abigail relieved.
* * * * * * * * *
Devonshire Police Report, as published in The Daily Devonshire, December 16th, 1926
[Editor's Note: The full report is reproduced in the unabridged version]
[...] Reports of the Devonshire Ghost have all but ceased in the past three nights, and have become limited to repetitious and incongruent reports from relatively unreliable sources. Police will continue to take reports on the phenomenon but have called off the official investigation for the time being.
[...] A graverobbery has been reported. Police alerted by a confidential source found the grave of murder victim Christina Souris opened and violated. Preliminary reports describe violations including several dead mice found in the grave. There are no suspects at this time.
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