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Some of my Halloween week experiences!  Seeing ghosts! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mw1rbZ6I9SQ

Ghost Investigation #1 October 27th around 7:00pmEST off we go to Blue ghost tunnels. A local site we have always gotten pictures at.. some of our best

actually!  

Some history

By the year 1836 George Keefer, grandfather of Frank keefer (Actually relatives to my hubby) (M.P.P.) was the first churchwarden and trustee of the burial grounds. As Thorold grew in

the middle years of the 19th century it did so above the Escarpment, in a southerly and westerly direction, toward where the center of town is today.

As this happened, St. Peter's Church gradually fell into disuse, being replaced by the Church of St. John the Evangelist in and around the mid 1860's.

When this happened the former St. Peter's Church had become nothing more than a funeral chapel.

As the town's attention shifted elsewhere, the old cemetery that was adjacent to St. Peter's Church likewise was more and more ignored.

In 1875 and 1876 by the Thorold Post were some articles about the Old Cemetery.....

One read the "Old German Cemetery"

This article was printed in the year 1875 by the Thorold Post describing the poor conditions of the burial grounds by where the old German Church once

stood.The article was placed by a Pro Bono ....

He wanted to direct the attention of the city fathers to the poor state of the cemetery by saying it was like "a crying evil that was in the midst" as to the

state of the cemetery. He further claimed it was "a disgrace to humanity." He also said "if a stranger came to see the new canal, what would they think

by coming across such a site. I am sure they would have a low opinion of the region."

The second article that appeared in the Thorold Post was made in the year 1876....

The article read "Why Is It So"

It was submitted by "Fair Canada"

They wrote asking why the town's church yard was in such bad condition and unattended too....... They were talking about the Old German Church

Cemetery, describing that near the old stone church (St. Peters) had it's gate open, the fences broken in many places and cattle of various kinds roaming

at will amidst the graves, injuring the monuments sometimes over throwing them...

In conclusion asking "Why Oh Why is it so"........

Shortly after the articles were written it was proposed to the towns council in August 1876 that Thorold find space for a new cemetery. The town council

recorded the minutes of this proposal and did nothing about this immediately, but the seed was planted..... A decade later Lakeview Cemetery was opened

on top of the escarpment and a safe distance east of the new third canal. But Old St. Peters Cemetery still remained "populated" with the graves of

Thorolds oldest, most distinguished citizens.....Below is a picture of the old cemetery..

Back in 1867, the Welland Canal became a federal matter. John A. Macdonald's goverment made plans to construct a 3rd canal to accommodate the

vessels using the other two canals that were already in use. The construction of the 3rd canal started in the year 1870 and was to take 17 years to

complete, although the third canal was offically opened in April of 1882....

A provision had to be made after the new canal opened for vehicle traffic that crossed the 3rd canal. Wooden swing bridges were in place, but concerns

came in by the Great Western Railway Company for they required a more durable and less interrupted way to cross the new canal. So a tunnel was

decided upon.....

Its location was decided to be between locks 18 and 19 and was to pass under the third canal itself. This was a huge excavation project, not only for the

tunnel itself but also for the long graded railway approaches to and from the tunnel. Work began in early 1875. Hundreds of men with picks and shovels

and horses were used to have the excavation done..... After the tunnel was excavated the stone masonaries moved in and within a year the tunnel was

complete.

The tunnel itself ended up to be 665 feet long and with the winged stone work at both ends giving the tunnel a total length of 713 feet... The entire tunnel

was built with Queenston Limestone that was hauled by wagon and rail from the Queenston Quarry.

When the third canal was opened in 1882 the Great Western Railway Company was in the process of being incorpated into the Grand Trunk Railway

system. It was the latter railway company that used the tunnel first.

The tunnel was destined to a short period of usage for it had a single track that ran through the tunnel. By the late 1880's the Grand Trunk Rail Line was

double tracked throughout its length. So a new double tracked swing bridge was constructed a little north of the tunnel near lock 17. This swing bridge

was made of steel and is still being used today.......

The tunnel however, was used off and on as late as 1915 before being abandoned. An engineer named Harry Eastwood was the last one to pilot a train

through the tunnel. In the years that followed the once vibrant tunnel was forgotten and abandoned. Sometimes the only persons that used the tunnel

would be the occasional farmer that lived in the vicinity who used it as a means of getting his cattle from one field to the other. The tunnel also made for a

weather proof passage way once the rails and ties had been removed.....

In the year 1913 plans were in process to construct the present day Wellands 4th canal... The abandoned tunnel still stands today as a reminder of times

gone by. The tunnel would be 122 years old this year of 2004.

Tragic Deaths

The tunnel had its share of death over the years. One being that of the Great Rail Disaster near the western end of the tunnel.

As reported by the Daily Standard dated January 3rd 1903........

The headlines flashed across the front cover "BAD TRAIN WRECK, No.4 Express Collides with a light Mogul Near Merritton Tunnel." (Known today

as the "Blue Ghost Tunnel")

"On the Grandtrunk rail line near Merritton a serious and fatal accident occurred near the Merritton Tunnel today. The accident occurred around

7:03am at a point about 100 yards from the tunnels western entrance. Engine Number 975 was an 80 ton mogul train to leave from Niagara falls at

6:00am each morning and run through to Hamilton .

Engine Number 4 express train was one of the best and fastest trains on the G.T. R. and was scheduled to arrive in Merritton at 6:28am. The Engineer's

name was Duke and the fireman that manned the boiler was Abraham Desult both from Sarnia. As nearly as can be learned it was 7:03 am when the ill-

fated express train passed a small telegraph station near the tunnel,

A few moments later and almost one third of a mile down the track the engine of the express train and the light mogul train met with a terrible crash.

Both engines at the time of the collision were in full steam when they met head on. The accident happened on a sharp curve where both engineers could

not see each other for a distance of 200ft. The estimated speed of both trains were about 22MPH at the time of the collision.

Both engineers escaped with only broken limbs and minor cuts to face and arms while Mr. Charles Horning (firemen) for the express train was killed

instantly. The reporter described the condition of the body as being jammed between the boiler and tentler, his body was horribly mangled. When

rescuers went to pull on the limbs of the man to try to free him they broke off. When some of the remains were taken away, his mid section was so tightly

wedged between the tentler and boiler that his remaining body could not be pulled free. It was even noted that his watch on one of his arms was still

working......

The other firemen (Abraham Desult) from the mogal train was smashed into the boiler of the train, and received burns to 90% of his body. He was rushed

to the St.Catharines General Hospital were he died 5 hours after the accident."

The entrance to the tunnel that one can explore today was the side where the accident had happened. The trains did not collide in the tunnel as most folks

had thought. It happened about 100 yards from the entrance of the tunnel just beyond the path we walk down to get to the BGT.....

The spirit of the two firemen could be part of the paranormal activity that is found at the BGT today .......

Lock 6 Disaster

Then there was the lock six disaster that happened on August 6th/1928 where 8 men had been killed and two others near death that later died of the

injuries sustained..... The lock itself over time was said to be cursed, for two years later from the day of the last disaster of August 6th/1928 another fatal

accident occured killing 8 men.... There were other accidents along the canal. During the time it took to construct the canal 107 lives were lost....

Does the Blue Ghost Tunnel act as a magnet for all that died around the area ? We can not answer that question with any certainty, but we do know that

the tunnel holds paranormal activity and hosts many spirits within the depths of the tunnel itself.......

The Cemetery

Before Lakeview Cemetery;

As documented at the Library in St. Cathrines Ontario, the cemetery was not located beside the tunnel itself, as some folks thought. It was, and still is, in

the poundage area by the pump house. Here are the facts that were found.....

There once was a time when the township of Thorold had many small churchyards that once existed. For almost a century Thorold's main cemetery was

the one established early in the 1800's near Thorold's first church building, commonly known as the Old German Church. The Old German Church was

located at the intersection of the former Ten Mile Creek Road and ST. David's Road, in what is today a sort of wasteland near the south edge of the

poundage area below the escarpment and east of the pump house.

In the year 1773 The Old German Church was a log building and it was built by the Lutherans. They were the first United Empire Loyalists that occupied

the area. In 1802 one Jacob Ball gave a deed for a piece of land containing 5 acres, to be used forever as a burial ground to the Old German Church.

The picture below is an artist's conception of what the old church and cemetery looked like. By the early 1830's the OLD German Church was pretty

much abandoned and was replaced by a new church building, erected on the opposite side (west) side from where the Old German Church had long

stood.

St. Peters Anglican Church was the church that replaced the Old German Church in the year 1832 as pictured below...

By the early twentieth century the cemetery's condition had gotten so bad that in the following article from the Thorold Post (July 3.1908) you would

think the reporter was describing an archaeologist's trek through the Mexican jungle rather than simply a walk through Tholord's old cemetery......

The reporter had printed in his own words that it was like "walking through a jungle, with overgrown brush , and neglected grave markers that popped

up through the brush. Some of the stones were broken and the fence that surround the grave yard was broken in many areas."

At this time the cemetery was called the "Old Cemetery" formerly "The Grave Yard" formerly "St. Peters Burial Grounds" formerly " The Lutheran

Burial Place" then formerly "The Old German Church Cemetery"

By the early 1920's came the final blow to the cemetery when it was decided upon to build a new canal that would be later called the Fourth Welland

Canal. This would require that the area occupied by the Old Cemetery and once the site of St. Peters Church be covered by a canal pondage area.

The call went out for any persons having relatives in the Old Cemetery to arrange to have their remains moved to the new Lakeview Cemetery. Those

that made claims to have their loved ones moved got underway by July 1923. This would make the cemetery 150 years old by this date. Total graves that

were in the cemetery was numbered at 913 graves, the oldest one being that of a Hannah Lampton, Buried in 1793. Many of these graves were that of the

United Loyalists and their entire families. The government at the time that was to perform the removal of the graves stated "Graves that were not

claimed or those without markers would remain in the grave yard."

By the time all was said and done a total of 250 graves had been removed out of 913 graves, leaving a total of 663 graves that are still in the area that is

now under water in the pondage area by the Blue Ghost Tunnel.

Just some of many part tombstones here.

Although we had many many pictures in the past from here, and feeling a bit nervous, at the end of the tunnel both brave people who went back there

heard foot steps coming closer and closer.....  And getting alot of orb action.. Besides this we didnt get anything. Besides tons of orbs!

We knew we were not alone, but that was mainly it. No realy action. The day seems to be the most action in this place from the 3 times we went at night

vs. the most of the times the day.. brought Tons of action!!!

Next we went to The Victoria Lawn cemetery, it was extremely quiet... Maybe 2-3 orbs after looking back.. but really that was it.

So after being #! disapointed.

and wondering if we were going to see anything???!!!

Hoping this was not all a loss.  

We headed to Fort Mississauga.  Just walking up thru the golf course.. It was dark, cool, crisp.. As we walked we were uneasy.

It was here I saw first the 3 men walking towards us.  Which my fear here ghost hunting is .. I hate to run into people.. first its private property

Either way.. I dont want some kids jumping out at us.. Or anything like that.  so when I said there were 3 people coming I meant it.. I told them to o all to

be quiet .. dead sure that there were people coming as I could see them clearly heading our way.... After standing there for 10 minutes .. I realized nothign

was there.... Realizing that there were many people in the fields by this point....  just not real people.

So nervous.. but continuing on .. at least they werent real people.

So the rest of the time we walked thru.  Looking in tunnels and walkign around the small single area.  and around the rather one large building.

We already jumped ahead two of us.. I especially stuck by Jill.. Together we were pointing areas out, and information we picked up....

Bouncing ideas visions, and feelings off each other... And there he was.  Crouching down.  Like he just finished a cigerette and just thru it away

was a young man.. I said under 21.. no older then that.. Jill guessed 17.  Some where in this age range. a very young looking, scruffy face.. but the look

like he couldbnt grow a beard.  Crouching the entire time at most likely a post area to the left hand side of the building and up half way the hill.. a a large

flat land section.  He crouched.  Maybe a few feet away from us. Starring right thru us.. blinking as a human would. We both said just a solomn

expression..

Like you would do expressionless .. and bored*   Like he was bored of being there... and there was no fear at all... he didnt notice as at all..

Although right there in front of him.  white, clear but a full figure.. and no problems seeing him at all!!!!!!!!

Freaked I think Mr.x you have my camera! I go yelling in the tunnel they are to the right of him.. not far away.  X   X  ... I need my camera!!!

Take a picture over here.. He was gone.  

And the camera was no longer working.. All night having difficulties.. Only getting a few shots in the tunnels.. Lots  of orbs... but thats it.

More lack pics then anything else!   Jill not ready to see ghosts... cried. and will likely admit that on the show.. October 31 at 1:00pmEST Or listen to the

archive show afterwards! http://blogtalkradio.com/chairity!!!  Me I was ready tho freaky.. the entire way was wow I finally saw a ghost.. since I do not

open up to seeing them.. Knowing that I have released a   new learning activity.. I suppose you can say lol....

Leaving we all described just feeling surrounded..

After then we walked around Fort George.. Jillian did not want to go anywhere after that!!!

But we dragged her along.. I was ready for more.. Although little activity again at Fort george....  We only walked around..

Jill hearing a young male in the right hand distance, Myself and X heard a distinct moan.. to the left.

That was really it..

Last but not least was by Navy Hall .. along Niagara river.. heading to a battle field where X had previous invetsigations before we joined and

had a creepy experience of at least 100 eyes starring at them.. and sounds of dogs .. they quickly left..

When we went.. I never saw anything, or heard anything.  They were all nervous... There really personally wasnt much to it.. to me.. the field I was

drawn too.. and know wonder because there were battles.. but that was really it... It was heading towards the car... In an unepected place I saw my other

man... Heading to the card I see a stealth young nimbal man take a few long strides and hunkering low.. I knew this one was a ghost or a shadow...

And All I did was star.. thinking what are you doing.. Just 2-4 long strides keeping low .. like sneaky... and fast.. he practiced this one...

And that was that.. IT looked like a pole there!   but he disappeared.. So I opened my mouth and said I just saw something.... and I am not sure who

spoke next.. If I go the man out . I think I did.. and Jill said So did I ,,, I looked and said oh the man too.. she looked at me.. a boat.  

Now understand this is a sight people have actually reported seeing a few times down the Niagar River.. A smaller 3 sail Christopher columbus style boat

as Jill put it.. lol  But I knew right away.. and assured her it was a regular thing.. The poor girls didnt need anymroe tonight lol...

And I said ooohhh now I know what that boy was doing.. tying the boat up

At the exact some time.. I was soo busy watching the boy... wondering what he was doing.. and she was busy and amazed that she was lookign at this

boat here!  The exact sametime but missed each others seeeings.. But together they mad soo much sense to me......  

Oh btw These are mainly all sites from 1812** war

Absolutely a day to remeber.. there is sooo much more to hear about on my show....  October 31st 2010 1:00pmEST

Or listen archive laters\http://blogtalkradio.com/chairity

Last but not least Well  today We went to Fort George ghost tour..  It was ok. the last time we got to use photography .. this time no flash well at

11:00pmest good luck getting pics then So that sucked*) Next well I did see a few ghosts... I saw the little girl by a bed* Watching us.. and she laughed

at the man when telling a story..  because it was her who did it! The tour guide was pretty decent.. Con they had a security guy at the end/... lol

redicuous.. so no pics again! with flash He followed making sure he was last.. I didnt like that...  I saw a woman or a tall thin man over to the side

before the little girl.. but these were all just small things.. that I really didnt see super long.. or anything... I think the neatest thing was the man walkign

from one building to another... He had no light but he worse a black outfit similar to the tour guides... he held out like and keys... he waslked notmally

strolling .. It was probably like a 10 minute walk from one side to the next building. I sat there and watched him walk.. thinking is that a guide?

At first walking normally.. and strolling.. Wondering mmm....

It was weirrd no light and no one with him....   Not sure yet.. I watched from the beginning to the end.. and by the end he picked up alot of speed..

his legs moving fairly fast... Almost weirdly fast.. By that point I knew.. But amaxing because from beginnign to the he reached the side of the next

building and he disappoeared.. watching if there he was goign to come back or go to the next.. I didnt see anymore.. After like 10 minutes of watching this

ghost walk.. I went around the other side of X nudged him and pointed showed him what I just saw... and that was really it... I was fine with that.

At the end... The tour guide asks anyone see anythign unusual.. I dont say anything.. I am good.. but one man spoke up..

Asking if after the end of the day or tour if there is a ghost that likes to lokck up.. and right away we were all told yes.. And before he could finish the

sentence I said yes.  And he looked right at me and said yah I saw you looking at him too... Right away noticing and we quickly mentined at the end

how fast he walked.. by the end He was towards the back of the group like us.. and I noticed him right from the beginning!  He must have noticed me

starring.. as I know I was and then watched him too.. I dont know how mure didnt lol.. Really it was the full walk... But I was glad someone did..

and Im glad they asked and knew I saw too Sometimes its nice not being the only one to see things.  Thats why I love going with Jill as well!

XXXXX

Ghost Investigations #1 + 2 were quite successful I would say!!!!

Chairity!!!

Some notable places we went:

Butlers Burial ground, Butlers barracks, Fort Missisauga, George, Queenston height, navy hall, some sort of battle area around Navy Hall, Blue ghost

tunnels!

thanks everyone for the help in investigating.. I know there will be more!