Author: Sheetal Choony
The Grey Lady spotted at Willard Library |
The Willard Library is considered one of the most haunted libraries in the world. Located in
Evansville, Indiana, this buzzing city has a rich history of spooky speculations.
According to Willard Carpenter, the founder of The Willard Library, he stated
that his library would be “a library for use of the people of all classes,
races, and sexes.” In 1885, the construction of this library was finished, just
two years after Willard Carpenter’s death. Most would think that Willard
himself would be haunting the library. This is not the case! It has been
reported that Willard’s daughter, Louise Carpenter, is the one said to haunt
the library throughout history. Shortly after her father’s death, she had
stated that her father was under too much pressure and excessively influenced
to build this library. She even tried to sue the city council to claim her
royalties. Eventually, she lost the court case and lost all rights to any of
the library’s property and market value. Because of this reason, it is said
that her ghost will continue to creep in this library until her name has been recognized.
There have been many reports and
sightings of her ghost around the library building. Most observers have reported
the ghostly figure to sport out a grey veil and general grey Victorian-era
clothing. Most librarians have stated that “The Grey Lady” lurks around the
Children’s Area of the library, occasionally picking up books and propping them
back on the shelves, despite her reported hatred and disgust for the library.
Children are most likely to see the ghostly figures, but cases have reported
that a child’s parents are unable to see her. Actual documented evidences
involving pictures or movie clips have been up for controversial debate stating
this legend’s legitimacy.
One specific example that I remember
from seeing all the articles is that of the janitor’s story. In 1937, the
janitor of the library was there to shovel coal. It was the middle of the
night, roughly around 3am, when he heard some suspicious noises. He shone his
flashlight in the direction of the noise only to see a lady covered in grey.
This has been reported to be the first sighting of “The Grey Lady”. The janitor
quickly saw the ghost subside into a foggy mist and soon disappeared. He was so
startled that that he dropped his flashlight and ran out of the library. It has
been confirmed that he soon quit his job after this sighting stating that he
would never return again! They Grey Lady may still lurk the ominous library
hallways even today!
Works Cited:
Marimen, Mark, James A. Willis, Troy Taylor, Mark
Moran, and Mark Sceurman. Weird
Indiana: Your Travel Guide to the Hoosier State's Local Legends and Best Kept
Secrets. New York: Sterling Pub., 2008. Print.
Norman, Michael. Haunted Homeland: A Definitive
Collection of North American Ghost
Stories. New York: Tom Doherty
Associates, 2006. Print
Wolfsie, Dick. Indiana
Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Guilford, CT: Morris Book LLC, 2009.
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