The Old Crowley Mansion
This tale that I weave is one of great sorrow. Over a century and a half has passed, but something eerie sting lingers on the shores of the great lake.
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, the Crowley family became on of the richest families in North-Western Pennsylvania through their lucrative investments backing Col. Drake's ventures in black gold. But as they say, money cannot buy happiness...
Soon after the family mansion was built, the misfortunes began to amass. Some attributed this simply to bad luck, but others say that it was a curse brought on the family by the evil deeds performed by the family during the war.
The patriarch, Miles passed away in his sleep, through rumors abounded of treachery... of poison. His two sons, Virgil and Lloyd fought constantly about who should lead the family, how and where they would invest, and on other matters of even less importance. The squabbles escalated to the point of no return and the older son, Lloyd, challenged his brother to a duel to settle matters once and for all. During the duel, Lloyd's pistol did not fire and Virgil shot his brother in the leg to end it. But Lloyd's wounds became infected and he died.
Lloyd's widow, Maria, gave birth to their son just months later. As expected of him, Virgil married Maria, though there was no love between them. One evening, Virgil went to check on the child and found him unresponsive and not breathing. When Maria saw Virgil holding the dead baby, she was convinced that Virgil had suffocated it. A short time later, Virgil was found dead as well. Many suspected that Maria had poisoned him, but there was no proof.
Most of the towns people avoided Maria, not only because some thought she was a murderer, but even those who thought she was innocent. Maria would often complain that her late husband still walked the hall of the mansion late at night trying to drive her mad. In the years that followed, she became more isolated never leaving the mansion.
Most of the towns people avoided Maria, not only because some thought she was a murderer, but even those who thought she was innocent. Maria would often complain that her late husband still walked the hall of the mansion late at night trying to drive her mad. In the years that followed, she became more isolated never leaving the mansion.
No one know how long her corpse lie undiscovered in the mansion, but it bore the petrified look on it's face that it had at the time of her death. The doctors said she died of a heart attack, those many believe it was Virgil's ghost which she saw as she drew her last breath.
The mansion no longer stands. Upon Maria's death, the property reverted to the city. No one dared to buy it and it fell to decay. In the mid 40's, the mansion was eventually torn down. Today there is nothing but a empty plot of land.
Every year around Halloween, my friends and I used to seek out the places where stories of ghosts were told in "Eerie Erie". Of all the places we visited, none have chilled me more to the bone than the site where the old Crowley mansion used to stand.
For those who cast doubt on my story know this: Everything I told you was the truth (Everything I told you was a lie). You decide :)
I hope you enjoyed my story. Let me know what you think in the comments below.
Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever seen a ghost? Or do you have your own tale you wish to share?
And of course, as always, please recommend!
