Ghost Comforts Couple in Bicknell Haunted House

Note: This is a haunted house story submitted by a well-known Knox County journalist from Bicknell. As a newspaper editor and reporter she has covered all manner of area events for many decades. According another email, Mrs. Ducharme has more stories, including "the coal miners who haunted the old newspaper plant and the haunting of the two-story yellow house. I have to write those down because if I don't I'll forget them." Perhaps she can be encouraged submit these and to dig into more of her files of unusual (supernatural?) happenings again to entrall readers of these folklore pages.

Subject: Haunted House
Date: 12/30/97
From: Betty Ducharme 
To: rking@indian.vinu.edu

Hey Richard,

I hear you are looking for ghost stories. Well, here is a modern-day ghost story. It is as factual as any ghost story can be. Missing items and footsteps are the only signs the family has witnessed. No blinking lights nor ghostly images. His presence is really rather comforting, one of the owners said, when she is there alone while her husband is off on a hunting trip.

I am still looking for other stories. Today I heard one about a red devil and I saw a little boy's eyes light up and a shy smile cross his face. It was a story his Grandpa has told often and he has even taken the children for a ride on the lonely country road at night, with the car lights out. But they didn't see the red devil.

About 10 years ago as newly-weds, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (fictitious names) bought a home in Bicknell. An older house, it was partially furnished with belongings of the former owners, whom we'll call Mr. and Mrs. Jones (fictitious names), now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Jones (pseudonyms had lived in the home for many years and after his wife died, Mr. Jones continued making his home there. After his death, his relatives chose the furniture they wanted and let the remainder, including some interesting antiques, go with the house when it sold. This arrangement pleased the new owners because they did not have to purchase furniture until later and Mrs. Smith really liked antiques.

Shortly after moving into the house, some minor changes were made including moving some of the furniture. There were two bedrooms and since the new owners needed only one, they made one of the bedrooms into a dining room. The huge square oak table was moved from the kitchen to the new dining room, and other changes were made. As each piece was placed in the room, footsteps could be heard, circling the room as though someone was inspecting the changes. The newlyweds decided it must be the previous owner; Old Mr. Jones coming back to note the changes.

Then came the day they decided to make structural changes. Every night their visitor came to see that day's progress. At this time he began to express his opinion. One day a hammer was missing and when it was found, no one could remember having it in that particular room, so Mr. Jones got the blame.

After the minor changes were made, life settled down. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smith worked so the house was empty all day long, but at one time, the two, in addition to working, were busy with other appointments requiring them to be away from home several evenings a week. Mrs. Jones came home from work one evening and dropped her keys on top of the television, as she did each evening. Later when she was leaving, the keys were nowhere to be found. A search through the entire house failed to turn up the keys, so she borrowed her husband's set and went on her way, laughing, and commenting, "Mr. Jones probably has them and he'll return them. He probably thinks I'm running around too much." Several days went by and the keys did not surface. Then one day she found them in the glove compartment. They had been locked in the trunk. She thanked Mr. Jones for allowing her to find the keys.

Several such episodes occurred and Mr. Jones was always accused of the deed, until finally it was like he was a beloved member of the family. His presence was never frightening, instead the two looked forward to his visits.

Then came the day major remodeling was undertaken. Addition of another bedroom, a bathroom, a hobby room for the husband and a laundry room were planned. Mr. Jones came back to oversee the work and the footsteps could be heard once again, as he checked the workmen's progress. Their plans must have met his approval, because no pranks were played. However, a treasure for the wife's collection was found. In tearing out the old bathroom to be replaced with the laundry room, one wall was found to be filled with used razor blades and among the blades was an old safety razor, a rare find for Mrs. Smith who added it to her growing collection of razors.

Mr. Jones has not made an appearance for some time now, not even to sneak a look at the couple's new son although he was expected. During his visits he must have sensed the love and happiness which now fills his home and the Jones' would like to believe he is pleased they are making his home theirs.