Newspaper Clipping of the Day

Via Newspapers.com

As I believe I've mentioned before, once you start browsing old newspapers, it doesn't take you long to learn that some of the damndest things happen in cemeteries.  Throw in that ever-popular Fortean staple, the "Woman in White," and you know things are going to get fun.  The "Omaha Daily Bee," July 18, 1874:

It was not long since that the report that the house standing at the northwest corner of Thirteenth street and Capitol avenue was haunted, excited considerable curiosity among the superstitious. This morning, however, we were told a reliable story that puts the haunted house way in the shade. 

The scene of this strange and true narrative is Prospect Hill Cemetery, adjoining which Mr. H.P. Stanwood, the well-known sculptor, has a small dwelling and a marblecutting shop, in which several hands are employed. 

On Tuesday night, shortly after one of two brothers, who sleep in the shop, happened to step out of doors before retiring, and looking out over the silent city of the dead, a vision, a ghost, a "woman in white," the invariable costume of ghosts, met his astonished gaze. The mysterious being was slowly flitting towards the building, when he ran in and brought his brother out to view the strange sight. Both became scared, and hastening out of the back door, just as the ghost in the front door came in and blew out the light, they ran over to Mr. Stanwood's residence to inform him of what had happened. 

Mr. Stanwood and the men went out to see what was the matter, and sure enough they saw before them the ghost, who hit Mr. Stanwood on the back, and asked where her children was--if they were buried in that tomb. The ghost then flitted into the house, blew out the light, and entering a bed-room, so scared the occupant that he jumped out of the window and ran away. 

One of the two brothers mentioned above, having pulled out his revolver, deliberately took aim, and fired twice at the ghost, but without effect. She then took her departure into the cemetery, followed by the men to a certain grave, where she vanished.

On Wednesday night the mysterious ghost again made her appearance, and so frightened the two brothers that they came down town to sleep during that night, and the next night. 

The above is a true statement of the facts, as related to us by a gentleman of veracity. 

Mr. Stanwood himself is not a superstitious man, and has no faith in ghosts, but our informant assures us that he substantiates the above statement.

Newspaper Clipping of the Day

via Newspapers.com

Reports of headless ghosts are hardly rare. However, one who removes her own head and tosses it around like a basketball is novel enough for me to welcome her through the hallowed gates of Strange Company HQ. From the "Coffeyville Daily Journal," April 6, 1897:

The country north of Anderson, Ind., has an up-to-date, twentieth century ghost. The people in the vicinity of Florida, a small town, are in a state of excitement, the result of the appearance of the apparition and its unheard of actions.

McClelland Beagle, a gas line inspector, was the first to encounter the ghost. He was riding along a deserted road when his horse suddenly shied and stopped. He looked before him, and his blood froze in his veins. There in the center of the roadway was a white figure strolling along in front of the horse in an unconcerned manner. The form was that of a woman. She did not seem to have any concern for the chilly atmosphere. Beagle whipped up his horse and made a dash at her, but the faster his horse went the swifter the Apparition moved on in front. She took down her hair leisurely, and let it fall down over her white robes. At last she turned into a barn belonging to Andrew Scott, and disappeared.

The next night Beagle induced John Haggarty to accompany him. As they neared the strip of wood the white figure again appeared, singing this time a German lullaby. She strolled along ahead of them and again took down her hair. They tried to run her down. She suddenly stopped, and the next second the buggy passed over the spot but she was not there. A few seconds later they saw a white form appear in the center of the road. The lullaby was again heard. She glided on ahead of them and, coming to the end of the strip of wood, turned in and went up to the barn again and disappeared.

The next night a party of 60 people went on an investigating tour. George Brown and Andy Montgomery headed the party. They encountered the apparition at the end of the wood, and she glided on before them, carefully taking down her hair. When it was done she proceeded to give them a few pointers on what a real, up-to-date, twentieth-century ghost could do. Calmly she took her head from her shoulders and tossed it into the air. It sailed along overhead and at length quietly returned to her shoulders. She then took her head by the hair and as though throwing a sling-shot she sent it sailing along in front of her. It came to no harm, and finally returned to her and she adjusted it on her shoulders.

Finally she took her head off and tucked it under her arm. She seemed in a very pleasant mood as she strolled along headless, and when she reached the end of the woods she again set it on her shoulders, carefully did up the long black tresses, and, as happy as a lark, began singing one of her German songs, strolled up to the barn and disappeared.

A few miles from this spot a great deal of excitement was occasioned a few months ago by a nightly tragedy near an old gas well. A giant would come out. and, strolling down the road, would meet a beautiful young woman spirit, and taking her in his arms would draw a long knife and plunge it into her heart.

Okay, let's all sing: "With her head tucked underneath her arm, she walks the bloody tower..."