Folklore and fact: ghost stories of Delaware grounded in histor

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Folklore and fact: ghost stories of Delaware grounded in history
9/23/10
Rachel Ramey
The Transcript

Public Safety Officer John Ciochetty's new book, "Ghosts of Historic Delaware Ohio," explores paranormal activities like the vaudeville ghost of the Strand, the haunted Arts Castle and the infamous Red Slipper Murder.

Ciochetty's first book, detailing hauntings on Ohio Wesleyan's campus, was released in March 2007. Ciochetty said his second book, published by The History Press, is much longer and focuses on hauntings in the city of Delaware.

"I take a no-nonsense approach in this book," Ciochetty said. "There's a lot of history in it-it was an honor to be picked by The History Press. The professionalism in it is second to none; overall, it was a lot of fun to write."

Ciochetty said the Delaware Historical Society, the Delaware Gazette and the OWU Historical Collection provided invaluable assistance and research for his two books.

"The archives have a lot of ghostly information in them," Ciochetty said. "The book offers a detailed history that people at OWU don't know about. These ghost stories have been told from one generation to another, and they connect citizens and students throughout history."

Ciochetty said he has received support for his books from university administrators, former president Mark Huddleston, faculty, staff, students, alumni and community members.

"A lot of Delaware citizens have come forward with their hauntings," Ciochetty said. "A lot of hair-raising stories have been told to me. My books are a matter of folklore and fact-traditional ghost stories grounded in historical details."

Ciochetty said this book centers around the northwestern and eastern areas of the city, with three chapters regarding OWU.

"Delaware is a picturesque place where people stick to traditional values," Ciochetty said. "Delaware cannot do without OWU, and OWU can't do without Delaware. Their histories are intertwined, and so are their ghost stories."

Ciochetty said the female ghost of the 1953 Red Slipper Murder still walks Henry Street and disappears from vehicles as they pass the spot where she was murdered. The story of John Robinson the pirate, who mysteriously disappeared from his lavish mansion, is also in the book.

Ciochetty said he has kept his second book "under-wraps" because he does not want to give away too much.

"It only gets better because there is a lot I don't tell," Ciochetty said. "I don't try to force this stuff on people; I let other people bring things up. I don't go looking for departed souls or spirits."

Ciochetty said OWU ranks high on the list of haunted places.

"We're not the only one though," Ciochetty said. "Ohio University, Miami University and other schools have ghost walks and storytelling sessions also. OWU is not different in that respect; there are a lot of similar traditions on other campuses."

Ciochetty said Elliot Hall, Stuyvesant, Monnett Gardens, the Peace & Justice House, Edwards Gymnasium and University Hall all have ghosts. He said he first became involved with the ghosts on campus when he arrived in 2001.

"I got here and I noticed a lot of things were out of place," Ciochetty said. "I saw an apparition near Elliot Hall and went to the archives where I discovered similar reports."

Ciochetty said the ghost he saw died when General William Henry Harrison had an outpost near Elliot. He said there was a fight between two soldiers, then one was killed and placed in a tanning vat by the murderer.

"I became more and more involved in this stuff," Ciochetty said. "I received a lot of support. Everyone loves a good ghost story."

Ciochetty said the University Hall hauntings include a hand on the shoulder from a fatherly ghost and a woman chastising children in the hallways. Also present is the little boy who fell from the balcony and died. Ciochetty said this little boy now darts around the aisles of Gray Chapel.

Ciochetty said one of the more famous ghosts at OWU is that of Mrs. Perkins in P&J.

"Once my name was being mentioned, but no one was there," Ciochetty said. "It was very eerie."

He said Mrs. Perkins passed away in room 207, the quad, of P&J. According to Ciochetty, a moderator once called him because she felt a presence in the house when she was by herself. Ciochetty said he has a recording of the voice of Mrs. Perkins.

"I went to a house meeting once and played back the CD," Ciochetty said. "One of the students became visibly upset when he recognized the voice."

Senior Jack Schemenauer, the student in question, said his encounter with Mrs. Perkins happened during his first semester of residence at P&J. Schemenauer said several students were thinking of bringing a medium to contact Mrs. Perkins when he heard her voice late one night.

"I heard someone whisper, 'don't do it,' to me," he said. "So I freaked out and couldn't sleep for the rest of the night."

Schemenauer said he forgot about the incident until Ciochetty came to their house meeting and played the tape much later.

"I freaked the f*** out, teared up and said that was the voice, that was the voice," Schemenauer said.

"Her voice was so creepy. It was really soft and scary at the same time."

Senior Will Condit, another resident of P&J, also had an eerie experience in his house. Condit said he was returning from the library late one night and all of the lights were off when he entered the house and went upstairs.

"I could see the reflection of the computer's blue screensaver on the wall, but then it went blank for one second," Condit said. "It was as if the blue slid off the side of the monitor and was replaced by darkness."

Condit said he then looked down the stairwell and saw something strange.

"I could see some sort of shadowy something at the foot of the stairs," he said. "I watched the shape slide around the edge of the staircase before running to my room."

Ciochetty said hauntings and ghost stories are his hobby because he is looking for the explanation behind them.

"History is so interesting to me and I keep learning more," Ciochetty said. "What caused this? Did someone die?

"Knowledge is power in any situation."

He said the supernatural is evident in every country of the world and is unavoidable.

"A lot of societies and cultures depend on the paranormal for their livelihoods and belief systems," Ciochetty said.

"I would tell disbelievers to do the research-ghosts are everywhere. You can either take it or leave it."

Ciochetty said he plans to write another book called The Miracles of Christmas because he has seen miracles happen at that time of year.

"I love a good ghost story, but Christmas is my number one holiday," he said. "Everything about it just makes you feel good-all of my cares just melt away. I like traditions and I like holidays."

Ciochetty said he enjoys writing because of other people's enthusiasm.

"It gives me a little lift," Ciochetty said. "It makes it all worthwhile."

Ciochetty's Ghosts of Historic Delaware Ohio will be released on Sept. 24