Conference hydra::dejavu

    
    
    Welcome, Ken.
    
    Carole
    

    There's a book currently in the bookstores (its been in the "occult"
    section, but it might be moved up to the front for Halloween). 
    Its called something like "The Ghostly Register".  It lists haunted
    houses all over the country, including, in most cases the addresses.
    It also provides the background for each house and makes a pleasent
    light read (keep in mind that the author was not attempting to do
    investigative journalism -- the author printed what was told to
    him?/her? -- without double-checking or looking for contradictions).
    
    					Topher

    Weelll, I did a couple DIR/TITLEs and, not finding anything except
    these 3 entries, I read the entire directory to be sure; it seems
    to me not many are interested in visiting sites of "ghost sightings". 
                                                            
    I'm sure Ken's wish to perform investigations and he rec'd many
    MAIL> replies; I just wish these outings had been reported on.
    
    Anyway, I thought I'd mention what I knew of these phenomena in
    Ma. area to see if there was any interest and possibly visits
    (pls. point me to the correct note if already reported on) to them.
     
    1.  Larry mentioned "Ghosts in the Mill?" (314); I know of another
        DEC site.   The Whitinsville warehouse.  From what I was told
        by an attendee (wait for it), the building is an old 3-story 
        affair in which it has been reported multiple "ghost" sightings 
        of at least two different ghosts.  There is even purported to be 
        a photograph!  Window sightings while the building was empty,
        noises on an empty upper floor, and an amazing tale of a dirty
        floor at closing and a nicely swept floor the next morning,
        and etc., prompted a group visit from this site to the warehouse
        on a Saturday night a few weeks ago.  I will try to get the
        attendee to write a report containing historical details and
        the events of the visit.  (What a tease, a?)  This seems to
        be the kind of place which cries out for the Digital psychically-
        inclined.
    
    2.  The Hoosaic Tunnel.  Running under the Berkshires near the towns
        of Zoar and Rowe ("Zorro" makes a great mnemonic, don't you
        think?), N.H., off I 91, it connects the Ma./N.H./VT. rail line
        with New York, etc.  This 5 mile-long tunnel was built in the
        1840s with conventional dynamite and later nitro.  There were
        a number of deaths (workmen in the tunnel who didn't hear the
        train in time to make it to one of the safety alcoves, the crew
        which suffocated to death to help the railroad realize they
        should be banking the fires and hauling them thru with electric-
        powered engines) associated with the tunnel, the most notable
        being the dynamiter who didn't make cover one day and had his head
        blown off.  Since there were 2 crews (digging from each side)
        the tunnel was finished when they met (only 6" off, BTW); before
        this a headless apparition with an old railroad lantern was
        sighted at the dead-end.  (It's been sighted after the tunnel
        was in use, also.  In addition, an old man who used to walk
        the tunnel went in one day and never returned.   This would
        make a great field trip for a small group (<5 as it is frowned
        upon by the railroad as it is still used for freight); I know,
        I've been there.  (No ghosts.)  Wear old clothes.  Maybe you'll
        be lucky (?) and a train will come thru while you're in there.
        I was.  (Does that make me an apparition?)
                                         
    3.  There are supposed to be two (or more) haunted houses in
        Londonderry (or Derry, I forget), not to mention the Captain's
        Lady who waits for her husband in a home in Kennebunkport.
       
    Anyone know of any more sites which might be visitable?
    
    							Don

re .3
.....
        2.  The Hoosaic Tunnel.  Running under the Berkshires near the towns
        of Zoar and Rowe ("Zorro" makes a great mnemonic, don't you
        think?), N.H., off I 91, it connects the Ma./N.H./VT. rail line
>>The Hoosac tunnel is in Mass, off (and under...) Rt 2.  The East Portal
>>is in Charlemont, Zoar and Hoosac Tunnel are "villages" in Charlemont.
>>West Portal is in N Adams.  Guide service available.  Detailed directions
>>below.

        with New York, etc.  This 5 mile-long tunnel was built in the
        1840s with conventional dynamite and later nitro.  There were
>>I would have said Started 1850's, but the best reference is on loan.
>>It was started with "black powder" (gunpowder).  It was finished with
>>Nitro.  Dynamite was just being invented.

        a number of deaths (workmen in the tunnel who didn't hear the
>>Most of the fatalities were during construction, its in three figures.
>>400+ comes to mind.  Largest single number was due to fall of the
>>elevator at Central Shaft.

        train in time to make it to one of the safety alcoves, the crew
        which suffocated to death to help the railroad realize they
        should be banking the fires and hauling them thru with electric-
        powered engines) associated with the tunnel, the most notable
>>When opened steam was adequate, 40 years later they needed electricity.

        being the dynamiter who didn't make cover one day and had his head
        blown off.  Since there were 2 crews (digging from each side)
>>They started from each end.  After 5-10 years of _slow_ progress, a new
>>contractor took over, who sank Central Shaft so there were four faces working.

        the tunnel was finished when they met (only 6" off, BTW); before
        this a headless apparition with an old railroad lantern was
        sighted at the dead-end.  (It's been sighted after the tunnel
        was in use, also.  In addition, an old man who used to walk
        the tunnel went in one day and never returned.   This would
        make a great field trip for a small group (<5 as it is frowned
>>Agreed.  Good spot for a field trip, though _right_now_ the RR (B&M/Guilford/
>>Springfield Termina) is involved in a strike.  It is particularly _not_ a
>>good time.

        upon by the railroad as it is still used for freight);
	...
>>About 6 trains a day, each way.  It was single tracked some years back, so
>>there is no real danger.
	....
    							Don

<set travel_agency_mode=on>
	There is much pretty country side out that way, state parks, etc.
Good museum in N Adams.  Makes a good day trip.  Reccomended access to
Tunnel is from E Portal: good parking and "out in the country".

	To E Portal:
	West on Rt 2, crossing I91.
	Right at sign for Zoar.
	Keep to the left in "Zoar", passing under the RR.
	KEEP GOING, 2-3 miles, climbing all the way.
	As you approach the RR a second time, pick a parking place,
	typically to the left of the road.  East portal is to your left.

	With reasonable amounts of advance warning, I am available for
	guide service.
     
thanks
dave pierson
(who also hangs around in RAILROAD Notes, and may have got a little long winded
here.  KP7 to select...)

    No problem.  My info was first-hand and a book entitled A PIN-PRICK
    OF LIGHT (which is what you see when you're most of the way in)
    borrowed 10+ yrs ago (same time as Field Trip) so I was sure I wasn't
    100% accurate.  I remember a plate depicting a sled which had slipped
    of a snowy road and the drivers grabbin' dirt (I can't git no lower,
    me buttons' in the way.)  because nitro was so unstable.  It was
    illustrating the discovery that the colder it was the more stable
    it was.  Maybe I saw it in another book.  Who knows, I have trouble
    remembering last week.  
    
    I didn't want to mention the central shaft, or anything else inside
    because if you give it all away a visit isn't as fun.
                              
    The warehouse, however, sounds more intrigueing everyday.  Since
    I put this reply in I've heard about 3 more occurances.
    stories.
    
    							Don
                                         

    other places>
    The Nashua Telegraph has run a couple of articles on ghostly places during
    the past few months.
    
    The latest, was the Greenville (N.H.) Inn, Tavern & Restaurant.  The
    ghost there, dubbed Frank, seems to like the utility room behind the
    bar.  He has been seen by the help, but mostly, he is *toys* with the
    employees often.  There may even be another lady ghost upstairs...
    Oooo-Oooo-Oooo! 
    
    The Inn was built in 1860 as a boarding house for nearby mill workers.
    The current proprietors are Jerry Hallinan and Loujean Dunbar (f).
    A waitress, Sandy Lafford, has had many close encounters with Frank.
    
    Another article mentioned Elizabeth, at the Country Tavern Restaurant
    in Nashua, N.H..  This eatery is in an old, post and beam structure.
    From what I recall, the article mentioned there was a murder(s) in the
    attached barn, and I'm not sure but children may have been involved.
    Hence, Liz drifts about the place. 
    
    If you visit these places, bring you Visa and don't forget; ask for an
    extra place setting. 
    
    re .3
    My home is in Londonderry, N.H., so I'll check around with the locals
    to see where the two houses might be and report back.

    I would be interested in a ghost watch also.  That warehouse sounds
    great.
    
    
    Mark