Spookey


Scary Eyes1
On July 4th 1907 the "New Orleans Daily News" reported a phantom on St ann Street near Royal. Becoming known as the "Witch of the French Opera" the apperation, described as a woman with snow white hair and a bony ashen face lit with fiery red eyes, would begin a nightly pilgrimage from the Old French Opera House to St Ann and Royal streets where she would enter a rooming house.

They reported seeing her on the streets and residents of the rooming house reported meeting her on the stairs and in the hallways of the building - Most moved the next day.

Legend says that she was an old woman who had taken a much younger lover. After she found he was having an affair with a young woman she reportedly wroth a letter to the police saying would be back and then committed suicide. The next night, it is said, her spirit entered the room while the two lovers were sleeping, turned on the gas and asphyxiated them.

For a decade after the newspaper report her ghost was seen making the journey from the opera house to the room where she had killed the young lovers. The rest of the legend says that one day a new tenant discovered a yellowed love letter between the mantel and the chimney of the fireplace. When she tossed it into the fire the ghost appeared and tried to save it from the flames. Failing she let out a furious shriek and vanished never to be seen again.

The Vieux Carre' is reportedly haunted by scores of ghosts, almost every building has tales of spirits of every description. With Halloween almost upon us I thought it would be a good time to pass on a few things to do in and around the Quarter this time of year.

The French Quarter and Halloween are made for each other. From ghost stories to parties to, what is usually, some of the most comfortable weather of the year it is a great time to visit New Orleans and the French Quarter.

Before hitting Bourbon Street and the parties you may want to visit the Voodoo Museum or take one of the scarier tours such as the Haunted History Tour. Another tour worth the trip this time of year is a visit to one of the famous New Orleans Cemeteries. I strongly recommend going with a group or recognized tour, the cemeteries can be dangerous alone or at night. Another popular side trip is to author Ann Rice's house in the garden district.

The copyright of the article Spookey in French Quarter is owned by G. L. Tyrrell. Permission to republish Spookey in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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