Echos of the Eastland

Perhaps one of the most terrible tragedies to hit the Windy City short of the Chicago Fire was the Eastland disaster. On a sunny July day in 1915, nearly 3200 passengers boarded the Eastland steamer moored on the Chicago River. Bound for a company picnic, eager men, women and children crowded the boat, excited for the lovely day they had planned. No one's sure what happened next, but when the Eastland pulled away from the dock, the boat capsized sending people sailing from the top decks into the river and trapping many other poor souls inside. What had been laughter moments before turned into terrified screams as onlookers from the nearby bridge and boats did their best to save as many as they could. Sadly, what began as a rescue mission swiftly turned into a recovery mission as rescue workers including police divers and local volunteers hauled corpses out of the river. In the end, 840 people including 22 entire families were among the dead in the makeshift morgues set up in hospitals, warehouses and even the 2nd Regiment Armory. The victims of the Eastland may be gone, but they ensure they aren't forgotten. On occasion, those passing over the bridge where the boat sank have heard terrible screams rising from the otherwise calm river. At the old Armory, now Harpo Studios, ghostly footsteps, sobs, and childish laughter have all been heard and an eerie woman in gray has appeared not only to employees but on security camera footage as well. Echos to remind us that even the seemingly happiest of days don't necessarily have a happy ending.

Seaweed Charlie

If you find yourself desiring a drive on a balmy Chicago eve, follow Lake Shore Drive north to Sheridan Road. This street lazily winds its way along Lake Michigan, past humble row houses and prestigious universities alike. However, pay attention as the pavement snakes around a sharp bend between the lake and Calvary Cemetery. Those who don't keep their eyes on the road have nearly collided with the spectral form of Seaweed Charlie. In the 1950's, during World War II, it was common to see pilots from the Glenview Naval Air Station practicing maneuvers over the calm, azure waters of Lake Michigan. Most of these training flights were uneventful until the day a plane lost radio contact, never to be heard from again. Two days after the plane fell off radar, the body of the unfortunate pilot washed up on the rocks along Sheridan Road directly adjacent to the cemetery. To this day, unlucky motorists continue to see a dark, drenched figure in an aviators jacket drag itself out of the lake and across the road. The horrifying wraith disappears inside Calvary Cemetery, leaving only the stunned drivers and a slimy trail of water in his wake.

The Bride of Mount Carmel

"Because I could not stop for Death, he kindly stopped for me..."

Everyone who knew Julia knew she was going to be a beautiful bride, and on her wedding day she did not disappoint. Much beloved by family and friends, she led a happy existence until her life was tragically cut short at the tender age of 20, dying in childbirth. In their grief, the family erected a life size statue of Julia in her wedding dress to mark her tomb. For whatever reason, Julia didn't go quietly into the afterlife. After her daughter's death, her mother had dreams of Julia calling to her, pleading for help. For 6 years, her mother endured these nightly visitations until she could stand it no longer. Julia's casket was exhumed and much to everyone's shock when it was opened, beautiful Julia was laying there, her body in pristine condition as if she wasn't dead, merely sleeping. Julia has since been returned to her resting place, but she does not rest easy. She can frequently be seen roaming the grounds of Mount Carmel Cemetery at night, a vision in her white wedding dress. In death, as in life, ever the blushing bride.

Shades of Darkness

"As I was going up the stairs, I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. Oh, how I wish he'd go away."

I love a good ghost story. As the leaves start to turn colors and the breeze is crisp and cool, nothing makes me happier than curling up under a blanket with a scary book. It's the accounts of real hauntings which strike my fancy. As a kid, I used to read all the ghost books I could find in any spare minute I had which made me stand out as the dork at recess, but helped to mold me into the creative juggernaut I am today. This picture has been stuck in my head since 5th grade. It's reportedly of the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. Her sad tale began after her marriage to a man with a cold heart and fiery temper. In order to escape her loveless marriage, she had an affair with local beau. When her jealous husband discovered this, he locked his wife in their estate house, isolating her inside, forbidding her from leaving even to see her own children. She eventually died of old age, neglected and forgotten, but it was rumored she never truly left. For over two centuries, she has been sighted by both kings and commoners alike, a wretched wraith in a brown silk dress, wandering the grounds in death as she did in life. Unable to escape her lovely prison where she is doomed to roam eternity alone.

Dark side of the moon

I am fascinated by violence. How the human mind can go totally awry and lash out against itself and others. Case in point (fitting for a Monday): Brenda Ann Spencer. On a fine Monday morning in 1979 at the tender age of 16, she fired thirty plus rounds of ammo at the elementary school across from her home killing the principal and a custodian. Eventually, she surrendered to police after a lengthy stand-off. The explanation she offered for such a senseless act? "I don't like Mondays. This livens up the day." Mark Twain said, "Everyone is a moon with a dark side he never shows to anybody." Perhaps it's better that way when we are reminded how horrific that dark side can be.

Dog days of summer

In taking inventory of my summer now the season is mercifully transitioning into fall, I am realizing everything I learned was due to my dogs. The following comes from their unspoken canine wit and wisdom: 1. Everyone is susceptible to seasonal allergies and they are universally no fun. 2. If you're scared, growling is an acceptable response (try this sometime at work it's a trip). 3. No matter how cute you are, you still have to follow the rules. 4. A firm "no" and standing your ground stops nearly anything in its tracks. 5. Even the worst of days are improved by peanut butter and belly rubs. 6. If you protect and provide for your pack, it will protect and provide for you. 7. You don't have to be friends with everyone just because that's expected of you. 8. There are days it's not worth leaving the crate.

Lamentations of the women

All I ever wanted was to be ordinary. I guess no one can really be normal since normalcy itself is a moving target. Everyone has their little quirks, but mine get in the way more often than not. And after what happened recently, there's no way I am ever going to attain the uncomplicated life. I suppose it was inevitable. You can't escape who you are no matter how hard you try. As much as I wanted to keep everyone and everything from my long and unusual past out of my present, in the end, I couldn't. It's like everyone knows how hard you work to make everything copacetic and that makes it more fun for them to send it all crashing to the ground. Sorry about that. I have a bad habit of telling stories backwards. Maybe I should start at the beginning. My name is Narcissa, Cissa to pretty much everyone. I am a vampire.