A Ghost a Day

by Maureen Wood

But that's not the whole gruesome tale associated with the land. In its history there have been numerous murders and a suicide. One previous owner, a gangster, after discovering his daughter, Joanna, was pregnant from a singer in a band, had the singer killed. The distraught young woman then tried to poison her father. After she failed to take her father's life, she managed to take her own. Her body was found in the basement a few feet from the well.

  In 1978 when Mackey opened up the dance club, one of his employees began to see a spirit who told the man her name: Joanna. At first Bobby, along with the rest of the town, assumed the employee was crazy. However, that all changed when his wife was accosted in the basement. The entity pushed her down the stairs and yelled at her to get out. Coincidently, Janet, like Joanna, was pregnant at the time. Since then, more than thirty visitors to the club have reported strange goings-on. Some have witnessed the ghostly apparition of a headless woman dressed in turn-of-the-century clothes. Others have smelled the sweet aroma of Joanna's rose-scented perfume. The jukebox, although unplugged, continues to play. And one gentleman in 1994 even tried to sue Mackey for the ghost that attacked him in the men's bathroom. Not surprisingly, the case was dismissed. Yet, despite the dismissal, Bob Mackey's reputation still attracts paranormal enthusiasts from around the world.

  MARCH 22, 1882 AMTRAK HAUNTING

  Tucson, Arizona

  A current Amtrak station nestled in the town of Tucson, Arizona, was once the scene of a western shoot-out back in 1882, when Wyatt Earp shot Frank Stillwell dead. Stillwell, along with Ike Clanton, hid and waited at the depot. Their plans? To ambush the Earp clan while they accompanied Morgan Earp (the younger brother) on his way back to California for burial. Instead, Stillwell was the one to meet with his end, as Wyatt shot him point-blank beneath his ribs. Bystanders heard shots fired. Several hours later Stillwell's body was found riddled with bullets.

  Today, Frank Stillwell is one of the more prominent ghosts thought to inhabit the railway station. Along with the sound of gunfire captured on EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) devices by various ghost-hunting teams, Stillwell's apparition has been seen wandering near the depot's platform.

  Security personal have witnessed many strange occurrences, including the ethereal screams of a woman in distress and the translucent image of a tattered man. A waiter has also reported wine bottles that rise of their own accord, only to shatter as they fall onto the tile floors. So why is this depot in Arizona so ghost inhabited? Is it Frank Stillwell reeking havoc for being bested in his plan of murder, or are there other ghostly visitors in search of a free ride?

  MARCH 23, 1828 THE OCTAGON HOUSE

  Washington, D.C.

  The Octagon is an odd-shaped house with an even odder lineup of ghostly inhabitants. The six-sided building is situated a mere block away from the White House. It was built in 1801 for Colonel John Tayloe III of Virginia. The strongest paranormal activity takes place in the central part of the building, where you will find an ornate oval staircase. Tragedy struck for the Tayloe family during the War of 1812 when one of Tayloe's daughters returned from a secret tryst with a British soldier and upon her return came face to face with her furious father. The two had a heated discussion. Tayloe's daughter lost her balance and careened over the railing, plunging to her death.

  It is said that her ghost often returns to re-enact her demise. A flicker of light is seen rising up the length of the staircase, as if someone is carrying a candle. One can then hear a scream followed by a loud thud echoing up from the bottom. Perhaps the memories were too painful, because shortly after the accident the Tayloe family packed up and moved back to their Virginia plantation.

  In 1814 British troops set fire to the White House and surrounding buildings, forcing President James Madison and his wife Dolly to find alternative living arrangements. Tayloe graciously offered his home.

  When the repairs were completed on the White House, the Tayloe's returned to the Octagon. But once again Tayloe, standing on the oval staircase, caught a different daughter sneaking back in after meeting a forbidden beau. This time, the colonel shoved her in a bout of anger, and she too, like her sister, met her fate at the bottom of the staircase. Guilt ridden, Tayloe died in March of 1828.

  It is widely believed that history and haunting go hand in hand. It seems the Octagon is terrible proof of this.

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  During the burning of Washington, D.C., a freak thunderstorm arose, dousing many of the flames of the burning buildings. The tornadoes and lightening killed more than half of the invading army.

  MARCH 24, 1878 HMS EURYDICE

  Isle of Wight, England

  The twenty-six gun HMS Eurydice was launched in 1843. At the time, it was considered one of the finest ships in the navy. But with the advent of ironclads in the 1860s, it was deemed obsolete and converted into a training vessel. On November 13, 1877, under the command of Captain Hare, the Eurydice sailed for the West Indies. Three months later, it completed its training tour and headed home, arriving in the English Channel in March 1878.

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  Since its sinking there have been numerous reports of a spectral three-mast ship, sailing with its gun ports open off the coast of the Isle of Wight, and disappearing when approached. In fact, according to one submarine's log, evasive action was taken to avoid hitting the ghost ship.

  According to a BBC report, something quite unusual occurred on the same afternoon of the ship's return. The Bishop of Ripon, Sir John Cowell, and Sir John MacNiell were dining in Windsor. Suddenly, Mac-Niell stood up and cried out, “Good Heavens! Why don't they close the portholes and reef the sails?” Stunned, Cowell asked him what he meant. MacNiell replied that he didn't know, but went on to say that he had a vision. He saw a ship under full sail cruising up the English Channel with her gun ports open being thrashed by an enormous squall.

  MacNiell's vision came true. For at the very moment, the HMS Eurydice floundered, capsized, and sank to the bottom of the channel. All but two of her 330-man crew perished. An inquiry was held. It was found that it capsized because the gun ports were open and it had too much sail. Just as MacNiell had exclaimed.

  MARCH 25, 1645 DUDLEYTOWN

  Cornwall, Connecticut

  Although now closed to the public, with all of its strange occurrences, Dudleytown, an old abandoned settlement in the northwest corner of Connecticut, is believed to be one of the most haunted locations in the United States. Thomas Griffis founded the town in 1645. Rumor has it that the Dudley brothers, after whom the town was named, were cursed, and they brought the curse with them when they settled into the town.

  Strange lights have been seen cascading throughout the wooded area and its surrounding forest. Visitors to Dudleytown have reported feeling an evil presence and encountering dark shadows that seem to rise out of the lost and forgotten foundations to chase away anyone foolish enough to enter the former settlement. Is the ghostly force trying to protect or cause harm? The answer to this question may never be resolved.

  MARCH 26, 2009 GREY'S ANATOMY

  Hollywood, California

  As reported by FoxNews.com, the set of the popular TV show Grey's Anatomy is believed to be haunted. Controversies and misfortunes among colleagues are not unusual in any workplace, but they seemed so excessive with the show's cast that psychic to the stars Nikki was called in. She believed the set was being plagued by a hostile specter and described him as heavyset and balding — the ghost of a previous facilities manager or maintenance worker. It's this entity that was thought to be behind the rash of bad luck that had afflicted the cast members of the popular medical drama. In what seemed to be a relatively short span of time, T. R. Knight was involved in a three-car accident, Aasha Davis's sister went missing, and an ex-cast member was scheduled to be evicted from his apartment for nonpayment of rent. Nikki foretold of catastrophic events unless the set was cleansed by use of Feng Shui, crystals, and other clearing methods. If not, the unfortunate events would continue. For the sak
e of cast and ex-cast members, let's hope Nikki's warnings were heeded.

  MARCH 27, 1943 ARCHERFIELD AIRPORT

  Brisbane, Australia

  During World War II, Archerfield Airport was a major military base for Australia, the United States, and the Netherlands. The airport has had several fatal accidents over the years but none more devastating than the one that occurred in March of 1943.

  It was just about 5 A.M. when a Royal Australian Air Force transport took off from Archerfield on a flight to Sydney. On board were twenty-three U.S. and Australian servicemen. Less than a minute into the flight, just as the (C-47) Dakota was about to make its ascent, it rolled, plummeted to the ground, exploded, and burst into flames, killing all on board. It was the worst aviation accident recorded at Archerfield.

  Since that fatal day, the airport and surrounding area has been plagued by a series of unusual events: phantom lights, unusual sounds, and a spectral airman.

  Early morning travelers along Beatty Road have spotted a man dressed in a flight uniform with cap and goggles, sometimes carrying a parachute under his arm. He has also been seen walking about the aircraft at the field itself. In efforts to find out who he is, witnesses have been asked to look at pictures of men from that era, especially the crew who died in the Dakota accident. No positive identity of the spectral visitor has yet been established.

  He never seems to be in distress, always smiling and waving at all those he has met. In fact one paranormal investigator is quoted as saying about the ghost, “He may not be Casper, but he sure is friendly.”

  MARCH 28, 1584 IVAN THE TERRIBLE

  Moscow, Russia

  Ivan Chetvyorty Vasilyevich, better known as Ivan the Terrible, ruled over Moscow from August 25, 1530, to March 28, 1584, becoming the first tsar of a powerful nation. Ivan met his fateful end while playing a game of chess with Belsky and Godunov, his advisors. Modern belief is that Ivan was poisoned. During the 1960s his tomb was opened and his remains examined. The lab results indicated Ivan's remains were high in mercury. But who could have killed him? Rumor has it that three days prior to Ivan's death, he'd attempted to rape Godunov's sister. His efforts were thwarted, however, when Godunov and Belsky followed the sound of her screaming. It's believed that the two, realizing they were now marked for death, took matters into their own hands.

  But was Ivan the Terrible as horrific as portrayed? It is written that he experienced bouts of rage. In fact, he once beat his pregnant daughter-in-law for her lack of modesty, causing her to miscarry. When Ivan Jr. found out what his father had done, an argument ensued, resulting in Ivan the Terrible cracking his son over the head with a pointed staff, killing him. Immediately remorseful, from that day forward, he was never the same. It seems he even lost his enjoyment of persecuting his enemies.

  Over the years, Ivan's phantom image presented itself to many of the succeeding tsars and has been seen wandering the bell tower of the Kremlin. The appearance of Ivan's malevolent spirit strikes fear into all who see him, especially since his appearance, more often than not, portends disaster.

  MARCH 29, 2002 THE SEVENTH GATE TO HELL

  Stull, Kansas

  A 1974 article in a Kansas newspaper reported that the Seventh Gate to Hell is located in Stull, Kansas. Above the local graveyard rises Emmanuel Hill, on which sit the ruins of the United Methodist Church. It is this location that is known as the Seventh Gate — a doorway between the two worlds. According to the article, the Devil himself makes an appearance twice a year in the tiny town of Stull. The legend says that he once mated with a local witch and spawned a child, who died shortly thereafter. Twice a year, at midnight, he visits his child and mate, summoning all those who have died violent deaths to dance with him.

  There are a plethora of strange stories about Stull. For instance, the pope's plane detoured around Stull to prevent the pontiff from flying over unholy ground. Rain would never fall inside the ruined church, although it was roofless. And strange winds rise up from nowhere. On March 29, 2002, Good Friday, a bulldozer knocked down the last walls of the church, sealing the Seventh Gate of Hell — or at least they hope they did.

  MARCH 30, 1826 THE DUEL

  St John's, Newfoundland, Canada

  Captain Mark Rudkin was a member of the British Army and Ensign John Philpot of the Royal Veteran Companies. Both were stationed in Newfoundland and found they competed for the affection of the same woman, the daughter of a prominent St. John's businessman. One night, during a card game, Philpot and Rudkin had a disagreement over the game. As tempers rose and anger grew, Philpot threw water in Rudkin's face. The captain tried to diffuse the situation and settle it in a gentlemanly manner, but Philpot only pressed him harder. Finally, with his honor at stake, Rudkin challenged him do a duel.

  The next day, a mile outside of town, the two men met at a place called Brine's Tavern. Each holding a pistol, they squared off, waiting for the signal. Shortly after noon, the signal was given and Philpot fired, grazing Rudkin's collar. The captain then fired harmlessly into the air, hoping to end the disagreement. But Philpot, refusing to end it, ordered a second round. Tragically, Philpot was shot and killed. Rudkin was tried for his murder and found guilty. However, the judge was not willing to accept the verdict and requested a second vote. This time, Rudkin was found innocent of any wrongdoing and was set free. However, unlike Captain Rudkin, Ensign Philpot doesn't seem to be free; many citizens of St. John's have seen him wandering about the town and countryside. Still as stubborn in death as he was in life, it appears, Philpot is yearning for a rematch.

  MARCH 31, 1993 BRANDON LEE

  Seattle, Washington

  Brandon Lee, the son of the late, famous martial artist, Bruce Lee, was a celebrity in his own right whose promising career was cut short at the age of twenty-eight. It all began during the filming of The Crow, which was based on the death of Eric Draven. In the movie, Eric returns from the dead, seeking revenge upon the criminals who took both his and his fiancée's lives.

  It's been rumored that during the filming of the movie, a string of bad luck and accidents plagued the crew. With the production company running behind schedule, a few changes had been made. One of the changes, for authenticity, was to place dummy rounds in real cartridges. With cameras rolling, Brandon entered the scene where the script dictated the actor who played “Fun Boy” was to shoot him. The second the gun fired, Brandon's body jerked backward. Falling against the door, he collapsed. Upon realizing he was actually shot and was bleeding from the abdomen, an ambulance was called. The doctors fought to save Brandon's life, but he died of his wound. The shooting was ruled an accident. Brandon's body was laid to rest beside his father, Bruce Lee, in Lakeview Cemetery, in Seattle, Washington.

  But is he really at rest? Numerous people have reported the sighting of a young man clad all in black wandering near the grave. When approached, he vanishes. His ghostly apparition has also been spotted at the underground Seattle bus station. The vision is so clear that some people are unaware that they are looking at a ghost — until he mysteriously disappears. Perhaps Brandon is returning to fulfill his role, unaware the movie was completed.

  APRIL 1, 1748 THE WITCH OF ST JOHN'S

  Burslem, England

  Margaret Leigh, also known as Molly Lee, was born in 1680. She was ostracized even from birth. It is said she refused her mother's milk and would only suckle on farm animals. According to Reverend Spencer, she was ugly as sin — so much so, in fact, that he decreed Molly a witch. Margaret eventually found a home in the woods, where she befriended a blackbird and kept a cow, making her living by selling milk.

  The Reverend continued his campaign against her. Then one day, at the local tavern, a blackbird appeared, and immediately the beer soured and the patrons, including the Reverend, became ill. The angry townspeople went looking for Molly but found her dead.

  After her burial, Reverend Spencer went to Molly's cottage and peered into the window. There, before his eyes, was the ghost of Molly sitting in a chair. Th
e good Reverend wasn't alone in seeing Molly; the rest of the village soon saw her too, walking the streets and howling.

  The people of the town, along with the clergy, devised a plan to rid themselves of Molly's ghost. Capturing her blackbird, they lured Molly's spirit to the church, where they trapped it in a pig trough. Then, at midnight, they dug up Molly's grave and moved her body. Instead of an east-west Christian burial, they buried her north-south along with her blackbird. So ended the sightings of Molly Leigh — unless, of course, you dance around her tomb three times singing, “Molly Leigh, Molly Leigh, you can't catch me.”

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  Clover is a plant used as a protection against witchcraft and fairy enchantments. The “lucky” few to find a four-leaf clover, it was believed, were given the ability to recognize evil.

  APRIL 2, 1851 EXECUTION ROCKS LIGHT HOUSE

  Long Island Sound, New York

  In 1851, William Craft became the first keeper of the towering lighthouse that was built on the stone ledge known as Execution Rocks. It received its name when the revolutionary spirit was sweeping the colonies. Condemned American prisoners were allegedly taken to the ledge at low tide and chained. Their executioners looked on, waiting for the rising tide, as the terrified prisoners awaited their fate among the skulls and bones of those who went before them. The ghosts of the executed prisoners exacted their revenge when one of the British ships, pursuing George Washington, crashed into the ledge killing all on board.