A Ghost a Day

by Maureen Wood

  Unfortunately for the Driskill, it has certainly seen its share of ill luck. The most recent fatality to stain the walls of this national landmark was in the 1990s when a young woman, who, after being jilted by her fiancé, took his credit cards and went on a spending spree. Not long after, she was found in the bathtub of her room, bleeding from what appeared to be a self-inflicted bullet wound to her abdomen.

  Since then, visitors have reported seeing a young woman walking to room 29, her arms overflowing with packages. One visitor, confused as to why someone would be staying in an area that was being renovated, informed the front desk. Together they went to the room, but found only plastic sheeting. The room was completely empty. Unbeknownst to the guest, it was the same room in which the young woman had committed suicide.

  DECEMBER 18, 2008 FAMILY PLAGUED BY SPIRITS

  Kolkata, India

  According to the Times of India, a frantic Ratan Das called the Khardah police station for help. It appears that a ghost had targeted him and his family. At first, the family watched as household goods began to fall from the shelves. Soon after, the refrigerator door cracked and then fell off the hinges. Flower vases vibrated, then crashed to the floor. Das began to understand the seriousness of the haunting when his daughter Rima fell to the floor after being shoved from behind by an invisible force. And the girl's books were set ablaze.

  Then the Dases walked into a bedroom and watched in horror as the corner of the bed ignited into flames and the almirah doors on the clothing cabinet opened wide. Inside were saris, shirts, and the like, what was left of them anyway. All the garments had been cut up and tossed haphazardly around the room. Ratan's wife and daughter were so terrified by the ghost attacks that they pleaded with Das to leave the home immediately. Word of the paranormal phenomena spread throughout the neighborhood. The police, along with scores of curious onlookers, arrived at their home to find it in shambles. The police offered the family moral support. They were hopeful that they would find the culprit behind the mischievous acts. Let's hope for the sake of the Das family that the ghostly specter moved on. Because unfortunately for the Khardah police department, the chances of detaining a ghost are slim to none.

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  In India, an Ukobach or a Urobach (Unk) is also known as a fire demon.

  DECEMBER 19, 2003 HENRY THE VIII'S GHOST CAUGHT ON CCTV

  Herefordshire, United Kingdom

  Alarms sounded at Hampton Court Castle in the United Kingdom. As guards rushed to the scene, they found, nothing. The heavy doors that they thought had triggered the alarm were closed and no one could be found. Perplexed by the situation, they decided to review the footage captured by a nearby closed circuit television camera. To their astonishment, the camera had captured the doors being flung open by themselves. Perhaps even stranger, they were then closed by what appeared to be a figure in a heavy robe or coat. Footage from other cameras in the area was reviewed, but it revealed no one else was in that part of the building. The next day, at approximately the same time, one o'clock in the afternoon, the door alarm went off again. This time the camera failed to pick up the image of the ghostly figure affectionately nicknamed “Skeletor” by the guards. Further review revealed that this incident had occurred three days in a row. At first they thought it was one of the guides working at the castle. However, this theory has been ruled out. Guides do not work in that part of the castle.

  The press picked up on the story of the medieval specter, and they had their own take on the story. It was soon reported that Henry the VIII's ghost had been captured on CCTV at Hampton Court Castle.

  DECEMBER 20, 2009 THE ENFIELD DEMON

  Enfield, Connecticut

  A local family living in a 200-year-old home is being tormented by an elemental, a small demon, recognized by the Native Americans as a “soul stealer,” or, more formally, “Windago.”

  The Yaples' story was aired on national television, as part of Animal Planet's new series, The Haunted. But what sort of paranormal phenomenon has the Yaple family encountered that would garner national attention? Although Jay and Elke Yaple have endured a multitude of horrors at the hands of this entity, it was the Yaples' concern for the safety of their children that had them reaching out for help. The abhorrent event attracted the attention of the media as well.

  One evening, while listening to the soft crackle of their baby monitor, the Yaples' heard a guttural voice say, “You're all going to die.” Terrified, they ran to their children's bedroom. Then looked on in horror at the scatter of bloody handprints on the crib. Thankfully, their children were unharmed.

  That's when they called the Connecticut Paranormal Investigators for help. It took nearly two hours for Jay to relate the lengthy list of paranormal afflictions the Yaple family had been forced to endure. Bob Baker, the team leader, put a plan in motion. The team, along with Father Bob Bailey, a veteran demonologist, set about to rid the family of the demonic presence. Their plan was to start the blessing at the uppermost level of the home, sequentially visiting each room. During their investigation they noted the oppressive atmosphere when they walked into the home, a feeling that for some on the team lingered on for several days. While the team was in the attic, unexplainable footsteps were heard climbing the attic steps. Then there was the slow creaking sound moments later as the team stood in the master bedroom and the invisible presence walked back down the attic steps, stopping between two members of the group. Later review of the camera footage revealed an orb exit a closet, make a right, and head toward the attic. Upon completion of the investigation and the blessing by Father Bob, the Yaple family has reported that at the time of this printing, the demonic presence wreaking havoc in their lives has dissipated.

  DECEMBER 21, 1843 SPRAGUE MANSION

  Cranston, Rhode Island

  Rhode Island businessman William Sprague built the Sprague Mansion in 1790. Through the years it has seen its share of tragedy, mystery, and murder. In 1843, Amasa Spague left the mansion and never returned. His body was discovered the next morning by the road. He had been bludgeoned to death, shot, and bitten by a dog. John Gordon, an employee of the mansion, was arrested and on circumstantial evidence convicted of his murder. Hanged in 1845, Gordon was the last person executed in the state of Rhode Island. Sometime after his death, evidence came to light as to his innocence in the murder. This led to a public outcry, which eventually resulted in the abolishment of the death penalty in Rhode Island. Although Gordon was hanged, it seems that he may be one of the many spirits still roaming the mansion. Keeping Gordon's ghost company are Kate Chase Sprague, who has been seen on the staircase; Amasa Sprague; William Sprague II; Amasa's wife, who went insane; and “Charlie the Butler.”

  The mansion has many paranormal hot spots as well. Photographs of strange light anomalies have been captured in the dank wine cellar. The creepy doll room with its odd collection of porcelain dolls is known to unnerve the most seasoned paranormal investigator. And the carriage house, where dark creatures move among the shadows, has added to the mansion's reputation as the most haunted place in all of Cranston.

  DECEMBER 22, 1973 THE STAGECOACH TAVERN

  Gloucester, Rhode Island

  The Stagecoach Tavern, now called Tavern on Main, is arguably the most haunted building in the small Rhode Island town of Chepachet. During the eighteenth century, it was a stopover for coach passengers on their way to and from Hartford and Providence. In 1842, it became a staging area for the Doer Rebellion, nearly bankrupting owner Jedediah Sprague. Through the years, the tavern has had different owners, but one thing they all agreed upon is that it is haunted.

  In 1973, a woman was murdered by her jealous lover as she sat on a bar stool in the tavern. Her spirit remains there today. Employees as well as patrons have seen a wispy woman, thought to be the murder victim, sitting in a corner booth. Other times she has been spied by the kitchen, checking in on the cook. One paranormal investigator, Thomas D'Agostino, recorded strange electromagnetic fluxes near the bar s
tool where she was shot, revealing her invisible presence.

  The ghost of a little boy haunts the women's room, kind of a spectral peeping Tom. He has also been seen in the dining room and is thought to be responsible for the mysterious moving of the place settings there. Orbs constantly show up in photographs, glasses break, coasters fly off the shelves, and employees are startled by disembodied voices, testifying that the Stagecoach Tavern is the most haunted building in Gloucester.

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  An electromagnetic field meter (EMF) is used to measure fluctuations in the magnetic fields. Many believe that ghosts cause a disturbance in the field.

  DECEMBER 23, 1843 THE DEER PARK TAVERN

  Newark, Delaware

  In the 1700s the Saint Patrick's Inn was a popular stopping place for travelers. In 1764 Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon spent some time at the inn with their pet bear. They were described as a jolly bunch that consumed large portions of brandy. Of course they are most noted for their work in creating the Mason-Dixon Line, separating free states and slave states. During the American Revolution, General George Washington and other members of the Colonial Army stayed there as well. In 1843, Edgar Allen Poe made a visit to the area. When he attempted to get out of his carriage, it is reputed that he fell in the mud. He became so angry that he put a curse on the inn. The inn burned down shortly thereafter. In 1851, the Deer Park Hotel was built on the land once occupied by the St. Patrick's Inn. It was reported to be one of the finest hotels on the east coast. Now it is named the Deer Park Tavern, but if you ask the staff, some of the hotel's former residents have never left. The front door opens as if someone's walking in, but nobody is there. Employees have heard soft whispers and sometimes get the feeling that someone is behind them even though they know the tavern is empty. And the bar's security cameras once captured the most compelling evidence, as the bar stools were tossed about by an unworldly force.

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  During its active years, Fort Delaware was home to 40,000 prisoners. And with the highest mortality rate of any Union prison, it claimed over 2,500 deaths. It's no wonder why it's considered by many to be one of the more haunted forts in the nation.

  DECEMBER 24, 1548 WAWEL CASTLE

  Krakow, Poland

  Wawel Royal Castle was erected on Wawel Hill in 1548 by King Sigismund the Old. It has been the seat of Polish royalty for hundreds of years. Kings were crowned and laid to rest in its vaults. In the hill is a deep cave known as the Smocza Jama, the “Dragon's Den.” According to legend, there was a dragon that dwelled within and that ventured out to cause great harm to the people of Poland, devouring livestock and virgins alike. Prince Krak finally slew the dragon and saved the land. Today the cave contains a statue of the dragon, reminding all of his feat. But deep within, it houses a chamber of the conference of kings. Every December 24, there is a council of all the dead Polish kings. The ghosts of the kings roam the castle as well, looking after their beloved land. It is also said that when Stancyk the king's jester appears, Poland is in peril.

  DECEMBER 25, 1727 MISTLETOE BOUGH GHOST

  Hampshire, England

  The last place you would expect to see a ghost would be Britain's Police College. Yet there have been sightings of no less than fourteen ghosts there. The Jacobean building, known as Bramshill House, has its roots back to the 1600s. Baron Zouche built the current building, but it is the next owner, Sir John Cope, or to be more precise, his daughter Anne, who is the most famous ghost associated with the property.

  Anne was married on Christmas. During the wedding feast, Anne suggested a game of hide and seek. The guests and wedding party immediately dispersed throughout the mansion. The young bride soon found herself in a little-used part of the house where she came upon an oak chest. She opened it and climbed inside. It was a perfect but deadly hiding place. For little did she know, as the lid snapped shut, that she would be entombed in the ornate box for fifty years. When her hiding place was finally uncovered they found her decayed remains still in her wedding dress, her mummified hands still clutching her mistletoe bouquet. Scratch marks on the lid were silent testimony of her desperate fight for her life.

  In 1953, Bramshill House became a police college; the oak chest and Anne still remain. Although the chief superintendent laughs at the reports, many of the cadets have admitted seeing Anne, the lady in white, and more notably, catching the sweet aroma of her Christmas bouquet.

  There have been so many reports of Anne and the other ghosts at the college that the administration keeps a detailed record of all of the sightings associated with the mansion. If you happen to visit the college and you see Anne or one of the other spirits, don't forget to report it to the secretary so they can update the “ghost file.”

  DECEMBER 26, 2004 GHOSTLY TOURISTS

  Ao Nang, Thailand

  Four days after the Thai tsunami took its deadly toll, reports of the sounds of laughter and cries along with sightings of ghostly apparitions frolicking through the waves began to surface from the Phi Phi and Khoa Lak islands. Yet when volunteers who were brave enough ventured a look, the only thing they found was darkness and sand.

  Taxi drivers have reported picking up customers and their luggage, yet moments later they glance into their rearview mirror and find that their backseat is empty of passengers.

  Although mental health workers attribute these paranormal experiences to mass hysteria, the Thai people are steadfast in their beliefs. Thai custom dictates that a friend or loved one must cremate and bless the deceased or else they will continue to be at unrest. This is why many of the locals are certain that it's the foreigners who still haunt the island. They are tourists who, due to their sudden death in the tsunami, are eternally vacationing, unaware of their demise.

  TERRIFYING TIDBIT

  In an attempt to alleviate the worry of the deceased spirit, Thai custom discourages family members from crying at the funerals. And monks are asked to chant prayers to prevent the dead from rising and returning as a malicious spirit.

  DECEMBER 27, 1972 LORD CALVERT'S MANSION

  Riverdale, Maryland

  In 1972, Mr. Smith, a seventy-five-year-old gentleman, afraid to live alone in Lord Calvert's mansion, asked Rick, a deputy sheriff in Prince George's County, Maryland, to be his live-in companion. The mansion was rumored to be haunted by the son-in-law of Lord Calvert, who hanged himself from a tree in the front yard. But did Rick believe it was haunted? He can't say for sure. However, one night, while the elderly man was away, Rick was out tending to the horses. Afterward, when he started back toward the house, he noticed the light in the attic. For a moment he just stood and stared. The attic had no electricity. How was this possible? He knew by the clarity of the rafters that the light source had to come from inside the house. To be certain his eyes weren't playing tricks on him, Rick looked around for an alternate light source, but found none.

  Since Mr. Smith was away visiting someone for Christmas and no one else should have been in the house, Rick's police training kicked in, and he became concerned with the possibility of an intruder. He rushed back into the house and searched the three lower floors, verifying that all entrances were secured, before finally making his way up to the attic. He slowly opened the attic door. But there was nothing but darkness.

  This didn't make a whole lot of sense. He knew he'd seen the light only moments before, and although there was a lamp stored in the attic for emergencies, the bulb was completely cold. In Rick's profession he has seen a lot of strange happenings, but a light coming from an attic without electricity topped his list for unexplainable events. Did he see the spirit of Lord Calvert? Rick will forever wonder.

  DECEMBER 28, 1879 THE DIVER

  Tay Rail Bridge, Scotland

  Despite the foul December weather, the powerful locomotive NBR (Northern British Railway) 224 steamed through the raging winter winds on rain-swept tracks. By the time it reached the Tay Bridge between Dundee and Wormit, Scotland, gale-force winds were howling acr
oss the firth. As 224 reached the center of the bridge, aptly referred to as the High Girders, the center span began to creak and moan with the violent winds. Then the unthinkable happened. The bridge began to collapse, sending the NBR 224 and it's carriages into the frigid waters of the estuary.

  Seventy-five poor souls lost their lives that night, including the son-in-law of the designer of the bridge. Some of the bodies were never recovered. But they managed to raise the NBR 224 from the bottom of the firth and salvage it. The bridge was rebuilt using some of the girders from the original bridge, and the 224 was reconditioned and put back into service. Nicknamed the Diver, the engine had many engineers spooked, and they were deathly afraid to drive it, especially over the newly constructed Tay Bridge. Despite its reputation, however, the locomotive remained in service until 1919, but that's not the end of our story or of the Diver.

  For years, folks have reported that if you stand on the shore at 7:15 P.M. on the anniversary of the accident, you can see ghostly lights and hear ghastly screams and the screeching of the 224's brakes, as the spectral locomotive replays that dreadful night.