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.

Do Legendary Ghosts Still Haunt Detroit?

Detroit Free Press, July 22, 1928 (enlarge)

She's on the Lookout For Flying Saucers

Detroit Free Press, May 26, 1956

Keywords: Laura Maxner, 1956, Captain Edward J. Ruppelt, Truman Bethurum, Desmond Leslie, Major Donald E. Keyhoe, John Otto, 24720 Carlysle, Dearborn, Interplanetary Foundation, Russell Rouse, Clarence Green, Flying Saucers Have Landed, Midge, George Adamski, Fordson High School, John Maxner, Michael Maxner.

'Spooks' Figure in Divorce Suit

Detroit Free Press, August 27, 1931

"I have a complex against seances," Mrs. Ethlyn Mann, Detroit Conservatory of Music dancing and dramatic art director, explained when she was granted a divorce Wednesday by Circuit Judge Theodore J. Richter.

In a cross-petition filed and later withdrawn by her husband, Carl F. Mann, operatic director at the conservatory, he charged Mrs. Mann with constantly attending "spook" parties and showing too much interest in occult matters. Her more prosaic petition complained merely that he failed to provide her with a home.

Mrs. Mann is living with her mother at 70 Highland avenue. Mr. Mann is living with his mother at 1941 West Grand boulevard.

Detroit Is Center of Unique and Ancient Art

Detroit Free Press, October 5, 1924 (enlarge)

Ghost Must Be Quiet: Court Ruling Prohibits Noisy Spooks' in G. P.

Detroit Free Press, June 12, 1943

Phantoms are ruled out of order when they create a nuisance in restricted areas in an unprecendented ruling handed down Friday by Circuit Court Judge George B. Murphy granting neighbors a permanent injunction restraining Mrs. Henrietta A. Schnelker from holding seances, trances and readings in her home at 1357 Devonshire, Grosse Pointe.

Climaxing a two-week hearing Murphy upheld the petition of 20 residents of the exclusive neighborhood that the peace of their homes was disturbed by frequent seances.

"The proofs showed that music and weird noises emanated from the residence loud enough to be heard by the neighbors and create a disturbance in the community," according to Murphy.

"During the seances the lights were out and a large, metallic trumpet was in use, allegedly floating around in space, touching occupants and through which trumpet the spirits were alleged to have communicated with the audience, with Mrs. Schnelker acting as medium."

Murphy also held that traffic congestion developed in the neighborhood and that frequent disturbances resulted when children gathered in the neighborhood "in their desire to see 'the ghost.'"