Charles A. Stansfield Jr. - 26 Jun

Charles A. Stansfield Jr. taught geography at Rowan University for forty-one years and published fifteen textbooks on cultural and regional geography. In the course of his research, he realized that stories of ghosts and other strange phenomena reflect the history, culture, economy, and even physical geography of a region. He is the author of Haunted Arizona , Haunted Jersey Shore , Haunted Maine , Haunted Minnesota , and Haunted Vermont , and coauthor with Patricia A. Martinelli of Haunted New Jersey and The Big Book of New Jersey Ghost Stories .

HAUNTED OHIO

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ISBN 978-1-4930-4083-4 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4930-4084-1 (e-book)

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For my nearest and dearest: Diane, Wayne, Paul, Beth, Jordan, Aidan, and Bryce

Haunted Ohio is a unique tour of the Buckeye State, one that crosses both space and time. This collection of tales of the supernatural illustrates the geography and history of the great state of Ohio. The stories of ghosts, witches, monsters, and aliens from outer space take you to every part of Ohio, from the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the mighty Ohio River, from the Appalachian hills to the western flatlands, from the great cities to remote farms. Every part of the state has its tales of the supernatural, traditions of haunted buildings, ghostly apparitions, UFO appearances, and scary witches. You will meet the ghosts of the rich and famouspresidents, first ladies, and military heroesas well as the shades of ordinary folks such as schoolteachers, firefighters, and coal miners.

Just why do we find tales of ghosts, witches, and monsters so fascinating? Why are there so many popular movies, television shows, books, and articles with supernatural themes? This fascination with the realm of spirits is a constant and major theme throughout history. Great writers from William Shakespeare to Stephen King have intrigued and entertained us with stories in which ghosts and witches play important roles.

What scares you? Did you really catch a glimpse of a strange figure on the stairs, or was it only your imagination? Are those creaking sounds up in the attic just an old house responding to the wind or something much more disturbing, some supernatural presence?

It is said that a wise man once was asked if he believed in ghosts. No, was his reply, but I am afraid of them. Are you one of the many who would agree, not certain that there are spirits out there haunting the living, but not sure that there arent?

Whether you happen to be a true believer in the supernatural, a firm skeptic, or part of the uncertain, unconvinced middle, you can enjoy a good story. In this guided tour of haunted Ohio, you will meet both legendary figures like Mike Fink and Johnny Appleseed and historic personages like abolitionist John Brown and sharpshooter Annie Oakley. You will encounter Satan himself, in several guises, as well as heroic clergymen, courageous warriors, and a gentle poet. Supernatural snakes, a truly scary phantom cat, and a dog that chased ghosts likewise all await your acquaintance. Enjoy your visit with Ohios many ghosts, monsters, devils, and witches. And lock all your doors at night.

T HE LAKESHORE REGION OF OHIO stretches along the shores of Lake Erie from the Pennsylvania border to the Toledo metropolitan area at the Michigan border. This region includes the great industrial center of Cleveland as well as many charming lakeshore resorts, including the islands north of Sandusky and Port Clinton. This land of Indian warriors, great industrialists, smugglers, and sailors has its dark side, with stories of the supernatural including a presidential ghost, a vampire cat, and a mysterious fortune-teller.

Is it possible for one ghost to haunt several different locations? And if it is, do the spirits travel instantaneously? Many believe that ghosts choose to appear, if at all, at places that had special meaning to the living person or where the body is buried.

The phantom of James A. Garfield, twentieth president of the United States, reportedly has been seen, at various times, in the White House; in his last home before becoming president, in Mentor, Ohio; and in Hiram, Ohio, where he was a student working his way through college as a janitor, and later as an English teacher and college president. His ghost, some claim, has also been seen at Elberon, on the New Jersey shore, where he died.

A number of recent sightings suggest that at least on occasion, Garfields ghost chooses to haunt his tomb in Clevelands Lakeview Cemetery. Some think that his spirit began to haunt the tomb after Garfields beloved wife, Lucretia, joined her martyred husband in death, having outlived him by thirty-six years.

All deaths by violence are tragic, but James Garfields agonizing death was especially sad in that better medical careor, more exactly, less intrusive medical carecould have saved his life. It is a curiosity that out of four US presidents who have been assassinated, two were from OhioJames Garfield and William McKinley. McKinley and Garfield also shared other common circumstances: Both were wounded by the assassins bullet, and both survived for a time, though critically woundedMcKinley for a few days, and Garfield for eighty days. Whereas Lincoln and Kennedy both suffered massive head wounds that they could not have survived, McKinley probably could have been saved if modern antibiotics were available, and Garfield definitely would have lived if his infection had been controlled by antibiotics.

Although many Civil War veterans at the time were walking around with bullets lodged in them, Garfields doctors probed endlessly with non-sterile fingers and instruments trying to retrieve the bullet. In doing so, they spread the infection, which eventually overwhelmed the president. At his trial, the assassin, Charles Guiteau, commented that it was Garfields doctors, not the bullet, that really killed him. True, but it was beside the point. Guiteau was executed.

Now, almost 130 years after his agonizingly prolonged struggle with infection, James Garfields ghost is said to roam about his impressive memorial, a tower 50 feet in diameter and 180 feet high, with a chapel in which his casketand perhaps his ghostcan be viewed.