Notebook of Ghosts

Christmastime is an excellent time for a ghost story, especially one with buried treasure. The following story was published in The Cincinnati Enquirer (Cincinnati, Ohio) on December 22, 1890 (page 4).

In December of 1890, The Cincinnati Enquirer published a story about ghosts and hidden treasure. Back in the day, a man robbed a State bank, stealing money and a fancy clock that sat on the mantel in the President’s room. The money and robber was never recovered.

One day, boys were playing in the Millcreek bottoms and found an “out-of-the-way” antique: the before mentioned clock. Theories spread that the money had to be buried someplace nearby. Search party efforts were fruitless and the legend faded away with time.

It was believed that the robber’s ghost guarded the treasure, appearing in a variety of shapes near Christmastime. A sighting on the Friday prior to the published article, gave new life to the legend.

Fifteen minutes before midnight, a big white ball appeared in front of Fred* while he walked along Gest street. The ball moved across the street and disappeared. Sharing his experience with others, he soon learned that John* had a similar experience 30 minutes prior. The object John saw, though, was in the shape of a “deformed cow.”

There were similar tales around Christmas seven years prior and that the ghost beckoned witnesses to follow, only to disappear before reaching the treasure.

Citizens decided to take action by waiting for the ghost at night so to follow it to the treasure. “Many of the night watchmen in the neighborhood,” the article explained, “have given up their jobs.”

Merry Christmas. Here’s hoping they and you find buried treasure! 🎁

*last names were hard to decipher from newspaper clipping