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January 23, 2005
The Mysterious Haunting of Stone's Public HouseBy David Retalic. Photos by Haunted HappeningsStone's Public House 179 Main Street Ashland, Massachusetts There are numerous stories and theories behind the haunting of this famous Inn. We will look at some of the most well known. ![]() Popular belief is that the spirits that roam the inn are that of McPherson, still looking for his money, Sadie the maid, Sam Thompson the cook, and Will the Bartender. Remorseful of being conspirators in this terrible deed; they wander the inn with regret over the past, while John Stone wanders about with an ever watchful eye on his establishment. ![]() In speculation, this is how the story may go. The little girl is playing outside when the train strikes, people at the inn witness the horrible accident and rush to help her. Someone picks up the girl and brings her to the inn, while someone else runs to get the local doctor. Remember in the 1800s Doctors still made house calls. During this process the girl succumbs to her injuries and dies. This would make sense as to how a bloody dress ended up in the attic, wouldnt it? There is also the story of a local fellow by the name of Burt Phillips. The story of Burt is one of a local fellow who was quite found of the inn and its hospitable atmosphere. Rumor is that Burt was also quite found of his drink as well. It was in the year 1890 that Burt came to the end of his life. As fate would have it, Burt expired at the inn. The jocular spirit that muses about at the bar is believed to be Burt, simply refusing to leave because he is still enjoying himself. The last story we will deal with is the secret room. The story is that during a renovation workman uncovered a secret room at the end of the building that was thought to be used to hide runaway slaves along the underground railway. There are also rumors that there were tunnels in the front of the building that lead to a real train station that once stood down the street. ![]() 1. Is this really a secret room, or just remnants of an old foundation closed over? 2. If this was a secret room, where was the secret entrance? The theory that could support the secret room best would be that it was the foundation of an old outbuilding that connected the livery. During those days it was not uncommon to have servants areas and servant access to avoid them being viewed by the patrons of the inn. No matter what the scenarios were, it is up to what you believe, there have been many unexplained events that have taken place at the inn. Most of these can be explained but there are others that cant. So come on in sit down and have a meal, you never know who will be dining with you.
David Retalic is the Lead Investigator and Team Historian for Haunted Happenings paranormal investigators.
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