Things that go “bump!” in the night…
more tales of local haunting

Did you hear that??? Chances are, if you’ve spent any time in the wilds of Plevna, Fernleigh, Ardoch or Ompah, you have heard something go “bump” in the night. Paranormal activity has been discussed in the area for generations; sometimes it’s a tale constructed by a grandfather to thrill (and traumatize) the grandchildren, and sometimes there’s more to Grandpa’s story…

There are, scattered around the area, a multitude of unmarked graves. Native peoples buried near waterways, and settlers buried in fields on the family homestead due to the absence of organized cemeteries, or epidemics. The forest has reclaimed some older cemeteries and if you know where to look, you can find the crumbling markers. One source reported several river drivers buried near the dam along the Mississippi River, where there are three names chipped into the Canadian Shield circa late 1800s.  

Certain local buildings also have a “feeling” about them. Skeptics dismiss this as indigestion, but some attribute this to spirits or ghosts. One local house gives off a distinct “suffocating” feeling at the top of the staircase and a commanding “do not enter” feeling on the steps to the cellar. Some old houses exude a general sensation of being “un-quiet,” despite being uninhabited by the living for decades. Does a troubled past cause these present day sensations, in several individuals who visit the house? At this point a collective bellyache seems unlikely. It is important to remember that people died at home, and were “waked” there too before burial. Perhaps seeing a translucent face peeking from a window is to be expected…

Last winter a local gentleman looked out his window, across the field, and was startled to see a large orange glowing area near where an old barn stands. “It didn’t seem like a fire, and the snow was too deep to investigate in the dark,” he noted. The next day, upon snowmobiling over, there was no sign of activity, tracks or fire. The century-old building had seemingly glowed on its own…  perhaps it was a good, very old-fashioned barn dance, circa 1868.

Local lodges seem to be a hive of ghostly activity as well. Several people have reported feeling watched, seeing shadows move across rooms where shadows should not be, entering rooms on hot days only to shiver and even seeing translucent folk here and there. With their rich and storied pasts, along with the sheer number of people who have passed through them, it is no wonder these lodges are populated year round with spectral guests.

Whether or not you have had a ghostly experience, the stories of these meetings are intriguing. Some people believe that we leave impressions, on places and objects that have personal significance to us. Whatever you choose to believe… have a Happy Halloween!

If you have a ghostly tale, or strange occurrence, please share it with the Plevna desk for the Clar-Mill Archives! You can remain anonymous if you wish.