Heady Idea Is No Help in a Pinch

The Detroit News, November 17, 1960

Lula Tennis (great name!) had the gift of soothsaying but didn't have a license. So she used the opportunity of her aunt, Madam Mary, going out of town to surreptitiously fill in for her. Unfortunately for her she encountered Patrolman John Ruane and his "daughter" who was supposedly suffering a terminal illness. After directing Ruane to bring back a pound of coffee and five pounds of sugar Mrs. Tennis would brew up a good luck compound. It was then that Ruane pulled the curtain off the charade and identified himself. She was fined $25 by the court. Of course, the session likely wasn't her first so the money likely came out of her profits and not her own pocket.

Keywords: fortune telling, 2920 Chene Street, Judge Joseph A. Gillis,

The Ghost-Man

Detroit Free Press, December 2, 1874 (enlarge)

Keywords: William Severine Johnson, 518 Croghan Street, Croghan Street, Detroit Free Press, Davy Crockett, ghost stories, ghosts, spirits, city directory, 1874.

Ghost Story #18: Saw Ghosts

Detroit Free Press, August 4, 1870

It was reported at the Central Station yesterday that a negro named Sam Myers, living on Clinton street, had left home in an insane condition, and that his malady was brought on by "seeing ghosts." It was asserted that he thought the spirit of his mother followed him night and day, but would not reply when spoken to. This failure to bring on a conversation with the spirit of the old lady so worked upon the man's feelings that he got light in the head.

Ghost Story #17: That Croghan Street Ghost

Detroit Free Press, August 23, 1879

Ghost Story #16: Pursued By A Ghost, He Hides Behind Skirts

The Detroit News, September 4, 1927

No matter where he went, a ghost pursued Arthur Jackson, 21 years old, 2212 Sherman Avenue, so assiduously that he was nearly frantic until he conceived the plan of outwitting the specter by disguising himself as a woman, he told Judge Frank Murphy when arrained in the Recorder's Court Saturday, charged with stealing four dresses from the store of Emil Gries, 4420 Dix avenue.

"A real ghost?" the court inquired.

"A real one, your honor," the defendant replied. "He walked beside me all day long, and kept me awake at night. Unless you've been followed by a ghost yourself, you can't imagine what I went through."

So earnest did Jackson appear that Judge Murphy let him off--with $25 fine.