The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-01
From the Fremont Messeng
TPUBLIsHED BY REQUEST.
[PUBLIsHBD BY REQUEST
The Haunted House of the Blacl
swamp.
A Ghost Story of Thrilling Interest.
BY MAJOR WARD.

In lonely and unfrequented spot, far from
any habtation, in the back swamp, on the road
as you approximate Fnday from the Maumee,
between Portage and Van Buren,, is an uncom-
monty large, old-tashioned house in the Ian
guage of the Dutchmen, /" one of the old and
besest kind II is extensively known through
out Northern Ohio as the Woodbury. house. and
has been reported for many years, as the haunt
ed house of the black swamp. At what period
it was erected, tradition fails to tell US; but
aside from the narrative, there is no doubt that
it was built in the year 1920, or thereabout but
it has changed owners SO often that it is even
difficult to tell who is its presedt landlord. Dr..
Duncan late member OF Congress from Cincin-
natl, deceased, and one Mr.. Gibson, Of New
York. seem somewhat strangely mixed up in its
ownership at one time, but whom its present
owner or owners may be is unknown. The Glib
son here spoken of, is no relation to William
Gibson, one of the institushuns of the city OF
tiffn'
The building. still remains as melancholy in
stance of one Of the blackest deeds ever perpe-
trated by the wickedness of mana deed Of
blood.
About the year l9lO the house was occupied
by one John Cleves, who according to the ghost
committed the murder of the ancient pedler
Syms. Cleves. although suspected was never
punished for the murder of the old pedler, as he
was called
But murder will out" secret vengeance
seemed to follow him. He caught in the
act Of committing the crime Of incest with his
own sister, convicted of il, and sentenced for
number Of years to the Ohio state prison.
Oleves was discharged from prison at the ex
plration of his sentence, and was for some time,
though his present whereabouts are unknown,
wandering about Toledo.
There is, within few miles of the Woodbury.
house, an old rookery kept as tavern, and ten
anted by singular looking old fellow, who calls
himself McCrory, who could, if he were incn
ed, tell thing or two concerning the old house
that might throw considerable light on the sub
ject, but for reasons best known to himself, he
refrains as much as possible, from any allusou
TO the curious mystery that seems to enshroud
ahis deserted ruin.
McCrory is man with strangely marked
ccountenance. In the slang of the Snowman
he has a rummy nose; as the negro preacher
says, it is too large for one man, and not large
enough for two. To use an expression OF Gray
of the Plain Dealer, McCrory is rather a "ques
by gug,"
would state here, that our business through
the country, was to buy up the old silver coin,
coined before the year 1858, and, also, the bank
notes of most of the deprecated banks through
out the country. This necessarily brought us in
contact with all classes of persons who are to
be met with in business operations.
At McCrory's tavern met with the veteran
Snowman, John Stow, fellow of generous as
sociationS with whom | had no difficulty in
forming an acquaintance. With this person
made arrangements to visit and remain night
in the haunted house. We took seats at the
table to talk the matter over. soon found
that Stow, like myself did not believe in the ex-
istence OF ghosts and hobgoblins. There is to-
some source OF delightful participation arising
from the luxurious indulgence of the inebriatng
bowl. Ny friend was an ardent admirer of the
rosy god. For consideration, McCrory fur
nished us with some cigars of an inferior quail
ity, and quart of uncommon bad whiskey
with these, while awaiting the time of night
proper for us to visit the haunted house, we
whied away an hour or two, in social conver-
sation upon the various events Of our past his
tory.
Previous to leaving the hotel I carefully ex-
amined my pistols. | had but two, one large
horse pistol, and a Colts six shooter they
were all right. 1t has been nay habit for twenty
years to carry side arms. Lest the thing should
touch the moral sensibiliies of my religious
friends, would solicit them to stretch their inn
agination, and fancy that carry arms more by
mistake than otherwise.
On the 18th of May, 1883 about ten o'clock
at night McCrorY took Stow AMI myself in al
thing he called a wagon, and left us at the
haunted house. The building has for years been
tenantless and is free to be occupied BY any one
who wishes to reside in it.
OF course there was no one to deny us adms-
ion TO the house. 1t Was a coll dark night.