Ghost stories haunt White House, Says Usher

Al-Reutereeza ^ | October 31, 2003 | nwrep

[nwrep]

Ghost stories haunt White House

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House at night is a dark and spooky place, haunted, according to legend, by ghosts of dead presidents and a former British soldier.

"It is a big old house, and when the lights are out it is dark and quiet and any movement at all catches your attention," longtime White House chief usher Gary Walters said on Friday during a Halloween chat session on the White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov.

President George W. Bush, who was spending Halloween at his Texas ranch, has never reported seeing a ghost, Walters said. But recent presidents have felt the presence of their predecessors, he said.

"The presidents that I have worked for have all indicated a feeling of the previous occupants of the White House and have all talked about drawing strength from the fact that the previous presidents have lived here," he said.

The spookiest area of the White House is probably the president's living area, Walters said. "Every sound resounds through the halls."

He declined to discuss any measures to protect the president from a malevolent ghost.

"I refer you to the Secret Service information officer, as I'm not aware of the specifics in the security area," he said.

The White House has long had a reputation for being haunted -- most famously by the ghost of former President Abraham Lincoln.

Lincoln's wife, Mary, reportedly heard the ghost of Andrew Jackson "swearing up a storm," Walters said.

Other stories of the supernatural related by Walters included a seance by Mary Lincoln to recall the spirit of their dead son, Willie.

When the wife of President Woodrow Wilson wanted to dig up the rose garden, legend has it that the spirit of former first lady Dolley Madison appeared and warned them not to disturb her garden, Walters said.

"There is a story of a British soldier who died on the White House grounds ... in 1814 when the White House was burnt by the British," Walters said. "It is said that some people have seen a British soldier with a torch in his hand, although I have no personal knowledge of this story."

Walters said several staff members have had eerie experiences and he described one he shared with three police officers.

"I was standing at the state floor of the White House. ... The police officers and I felt a cool rush of air pass between us and then two doors that stand open closed by themselves. I have never seen these doors move before without somebody specifically closing them by hand. It was quite remarkable."

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[buffyt]

I have heard of the butler who used to work there when he was living, and they often see his ghost there dusting the furniture. Mary Todd Lincoln, Dolly Madison, and George Washington are ancestors of mine, I wonder if any of their ghosts haunt DC....

[Paul Atreides]

Everyone knows there was a witch in the White House, during the 90s.

[buffyt]

Oh I see, Dolly is still there tending her garden...

When the wife of President Woodrow Wilson wanted to dig up the rose garden, legend has it that the spirit of former first lady Dolley Madison appeared and warned them not to disturb her garden, Walters said.

[buffyt]

hee hee hee

[buffyt]

I have read that my cousin Dolly Madison saved the portrait of my cousin George Washington when the White House was torched. I have a lot of these stories in my family history book about the Hargrove side of my family. We go back to England 1200's and King John.

[McGruff]

Wanna see something really scary? Just click here

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

I have read that my cousin Dolly Madison saved the portrait of my cousin George Washington when the White House was torched.

Do you have the book "Dolly Madison; Quaker Girl"? I remember reading it in that I believe and in various other books since then.

[smith288]

I have never seen these doors move before without somebody specifically closing them by hand. It was quite remarkable."

Remarkable??? Is he soulless??? Thats not remarkable, thats friggin scary and I wouldnt last 5 more minutes in that house after an experience like that... Im the rare white dude in scary movies that has brains and dont stick around to "investigate"

[Hollywoodghost]

Lots of stories of a ghost seen in the time of FDR. A servant saw Lincoln walk the halls and the Queen of Holland is rumored to have seen the ghost of old Abe.
When asked if he had seem the ghost of the White House, Reagan only laughed and answered that he wouldn't touch that question with a ten foot pole.

[BSunday]

What a nightmare! Thanks McGruff, now I won't be able to sleep tonight! Talk about night terrors!

[tob2]

Oh no, not that!

[texasbluebell]

I have read that my cousin Dolly Madison saved the portrait of my cousin George Washington when the White House was torched.

Were they cousins to each other? If so, wonder if they knew they were related. Or are those 2 separate lines of yours? Interesting.

[gitmo]

I thought George Washington died childless.

[martin_fierro]

Foster. It's White House for ghost, mate.

[hasegawasama]

you're related to three of the most famous presidents in history. how could this be.

[buffyt]

That is true. He is my 12th cousin. He came before me along with my other ancestors. He is one of my ancestors. His great grandfather was my great great great etc etc etc grandfather. He grew up across the road from my other cousins, and they played together as children. The Girards. I have great bloodline. So why am I such a goof! lol

[buffyt]

Well my husband says it is obvious that I come from same rootstock as George Washington, he had bad teeth too. We spent a fortune on my mouth, braces, crowns, etc. And once we found out that Mary TOdd Lincoln was a distant relative of mine, and also found out that she was emotionally unstable, once again my husband said That Figures. Dolly Madison, she was one great first lady! I have a huge family history book. Also had a cousin at the Alamo, Isaac Ryan. I have copies of his baptism papers and his parents wedding certif. He died on the north wall with Travis, one of the first to die.

My father's cousin researched our family tree in detail, for 25 years, before internet etc. It is fascinating to read what my people went through in the Civil War (ancestors on both sides) and Rev. War (ancestors on both sides). The book is about 3 or 4 inches thick and heavy. It is full of letters that ancestors wrote. Interesting.

Did any greatness rub off on me? NO WAY! Just a fat old lazy housewife....

[buffyt]

Also kin to Belle Star on both sides of my family.

I found my great grandmother the most fascinating in the family history book. She was Mary Ann Burch Hargrove. Tall statuesque woman, jet black hair pulled back into a cignon bun, smoked a pipe, played accordian, had about 8 kids, and was 1/2 cherokee. I would have loved to have known her. I got my straight hair and heighth from her. My grandmother, her daughter, was very tall and I am too. My mother is very short. I am probably the same size as my great grandmother was.

She died and my great grandfather remarried and had 7 more children. YIKES!