More Halloween Hauntings

Halloween is just a few days away.

A few years ago I wrote a blog post, Haunted Mercer County, which turned out to be a fairly popular post. People still write me about it. We had fun researching that post, visiting those local haunts, trying to verify the supernatural stories or debunk them.

I was looking though Haunted Ohio IV, one book in the series by Chris Woodyard, looking for information about other haunted places in our area.

The book mentions the Curse of Saint Michael, a curse connected to a white marble statue of the Archangel Michael, located in the Catholic cemetery in St. Marys. The Curse of Saint Michael will kill those who look into his eyes. A girl was reportedly paralyzed by just looking into its eyes.

Assuming this legend refers to the town of St. Marys in neighboring Auglaize County, Gethsemane Cemetery is the Catholic cemetery there.

We visited Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery to take a look and found a life-sized statue of an angel near the west entrance, the Mooney family plot. Although weathered and gray, it looks as though the angel was once a white statue.

Mooney memorial, Gethsamane Catholic Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio. (2021 photo by Karen)

The Archangel Michael is a defender in battle and usually holds a sword. This statue may have held a sword in its right hand at one time, but unfortunately, his right hand is missing.

I stared into the face of the statue through my camera lens and walked away unscathed.

Mooney monument, Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio. (2021 photo by Karen)

A haunting tale has been spread about a couple in another local cemetery in Van Wert County. The impressive monument of Philip and Jane Kuhl is located in Woodlawn Cemetery, on the edge of Ohio City. Life-sized statues of both Philip and Jane stand at each end of a sarcophagus. Philip and Jane each hold an item in their hands.  

Kuhl monument, Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

The legend tells that Philip used the rope he is holding to hang Jane. But before Jane died she used her sewing scissors to stab Philip in the heart. Supposedly they both died together, about the same time.

In actuality, they were a nice, happy, ordinary farm couple. When you look closely at the statues you will see that Philip is holding wheat stalks and Jane is holding her sheep-shearing scissors.

Philip Kuhl holding wheat stalks. (2005 photo by Karen)

Jane Kuhl holding sheep shears. (2005 photo by Karen)

Besides, the couple died years apart. Philip in 1908 and Jane in 1920.

Story debunked.     

In my Halloween blog post a few years ago I talked about Mercer County’s Cry-Baby Bridge, located on Palmer Road near Mendon. Mercer’s Cry-Baby Bridge is one of several bridges with that same name in the state of Ohio. Bridges that share that name are located all over the state, the nearest being northwest of Bellefontaine, one in Preble County, and another in Darke County. A name like Cry-Baby Bridge conjures up all sorts of images and is probably a good name for a bridge with a notorious story.  

Cry-Baby Bridge, Palmer Road, Mendon, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Finally, below is a ghostly photo given to me by an acquaintance some years ago. The family was visiting a cemetery in Kentucky where some of their ancestors are laid to rest. They said the day of their visit was very hot, clear, and still. No wind was blowing, but as they approached the cemetery a slight gust of wind from out of nowhere blew into their faces and moved some leaves on the trees. They felt a chill. They felt a presence. Later, when looking at the photos they took that day, the family was shocked to see strange white puffs floating in the air near the cemetery. The thing is, they never saw any white puffs near the cemetery when they were there on that clear day.

Did they have a supernatural encounter with their ancestors?     

Houck Cemetery, Kentucky.

Happy Halloween!

 

4 comments

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    • Kenneth Miller on October 29, 2021 at 8:03 am
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    You did not show my ghost picture from Superstition mountain in Arizona. It just showed up on a regular picture we took of the mountain. Just ask Vernie about it.

    1. Hmmm. You will have to refresh my memory. I vaguely remember that photo and I suspect it may be easily debunked. 🙂

    • Judy Stetler on October 29, 2021 at 9:10 am
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    I’ve been enjoying your posts, Karen!

    1. Thank you!

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