A Gentle Presence
The Music of the Night
The Ditney Man
The Pekin Ghost
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Throughout the process of compiling and writing this book I was constantly reminded of the Hoosier warmth, and friendliness.
A very special thanks to my friends, Eric Mundell, Madonna Snyder, Bob and Carolyn Schmidt, Bill and Berky Davis and Tom Castaldi.
There are two other very special individuals who derserve recognition. Joy, my Belgian shepherd, who more than anyone else was my slave driver unfailingly awakening me at 2:00 AM each morning. And my dear friend, Nelson Price, who was always there with caring friendship, support and enthusiasm. If Joy got me up, Nelson kept me going. Much love to both of you.
My sincere thanks to the following people for supplying information on local ghosts to supplement the hundreds of hours of historical research among old newspapers and county histories:
The Mason Long House:
Laura McCaffrey, present homeowner
Charlie Roduta, Fort Wayne News-Sentinel reporter
The Pfeiffer House:
Clark Valentine, present homeowner
Cindy Lauer, Pfeiffer House chef
Charlie Roduta
The Phantom of the Embassy:
Steven M. Toor, Embassy Theater House Staff Chairperson
Charlie Roduta
The Manitou Monster:
Shirley Willard, President, Fulton County Historical Society
Sister Sarah:
Bob Bradway, former homeowner
Marilyn French, retired reporter
Shirley Willard
Merbrink Cottage—The Winona Lake House of Love:
Marge Priser, Kosciusko Historical Society
Norm Hagg, General Manager, Editor-in-Chief, Warsaw Time Union
The Ghosts of “I” Street:
Jim Rodgers, Curator, La Porte County Historical Museum
Paukooshuck’s Ghost:
Shirley Willard
Joan Dugger, Historian, Culver Antiquarium & Historical Society
Linda Rippey, Executive Director, Marshall County Historical Society
Child’s Play:
Dr. John Johnson, owner of the Inn at Aberdeen
Irline Holley, Portage Public Library
Osceola Poltergeist:
Sean Walton, Reference Librarian, St. Joseph County Public Library
Oscar, The Beast of Busco:
Susan Richey, Whitley County Historical Society
Things go Bump in a Grand Manor—Hazelcot Castle:
Susan Richey
The White Hall Tavern:
Don Dunaway, Franklin County Historian
The Plantation Club’s Hoodlums and Haunts:
Michael and Doni Nickerson, owners of Casio’s Restaurant
Sam Maag . . . is it You?:
Toni R. Hepfer, present homeowner
“Good Night, Mr. ‘G’”:
Beth E. Oljace, Anderson Public Library
Miss Robert’s Mansion:
Mr. Charles Sanqunetti, present homeowner
The Acton Mystery:
Sylvia C. Henricks, Vice President, Franklin Township, Marion County Historical Society
The Slippery Noodle:
Hal Yeagy, Jr., Owner
The Peek-A-Boo Ghost:
Bill and Berky Davis, present homeowners
Locust Hill:
Dave and Dixie Arnold, present homeowners
The Ultimate Long Distance Call:
Mary Margaret Lacoli, Vigo County Public Library
The Azalia Bridge:
Jennifer Gearries, Director, Bartholomew County Historical Society
The Laughery Creek Road Massacre:
Chris McHenry, Lawrenceburg Public Library District
Blue Balls of Light:
Ben Schneider, reporter
Dave B. Floyd, County Historian
The Legend of Poor Pollie: Linton’s Beloved Eccentric:
Mary Witte, researcher
Hush Little Baby, Don’t You Cry,
The Medora Haunted House,
The Witch of White Chapel:
Charlotte Sellers, Jackson County Public Library
Dark Hollow,
Purple Head Bridge,
The Spirit of Otter Pond,
The Coal Miner’s Ghosts:
Richard Day, Research Assistant, Vincennes University Library
The
