AUTHOR VISITS A "SPIRITED" EMMITT HOUSE
For years, the historical Emmitt House has had rumors of haunting and paranormal activity.
To further investigate scares, guests and citizens contacted Chris Woodyard, author of the "Haunted Ohio" book series.
Woodyard responded by visiting the restaurant Saturday to consider writing about it in her up and coming "Haunted Ohio V: 200 years of Ghosts."
"It is a fascinating place, I had a really good visit." Stated Woodyard.
The Columbus native said that seeing ghosts runs in her family. "My father and grandfather could both perceive things. It is kind of like another sense that some have and some don't."
As for whether ghosts reside in the building, Woodyard believes they do. "The first thing I saw was a stout woman dressed in 1900s type clothing in the restroom. She had her arms crossed and was looking at me as if questioning me," explained Woodyard. "She was also all over the dining areas on the first floor."
Woodyard also said she felt activity in room 29. "I leaned up against the wall, closed my eyes, and sensed a teenage boy. He walked up to me and reached out his hand to touch my cheek but I drew back."
In a room on the third floor, Woodyard said she felt somone who was having lung trouble. "They were beating on the wall with their hand, as if calling for help. In this same place, I felt something touch the top of my head."
"I really didn't like the attic," expressed Woodyard. "I just looked at that dark door and panicked." In the attic, the author said she felt the presence of a very threatening young male. "After we got out of there, I felt the pressure just come off. It seems like the further from the living or up a building you go, the stronger the dead become."
Woodyard felt that the basement of the building was very uncomfortable. "I saw a ghostly black man hiding in one of the rooms. It is such a scary place, especially with the walls and windows being all bricked up."
The ghost hunter said she only caught a "bare whiff" of Mr. Emmitt. "I asked him why he was here, and he responded with "This is where I am comfortable."
Besides finding the paranormal herself, Woodyard spoke with employees of the restaurant.
Workers said there were times when they would see a customer walk down a hallway and enter a room. Upon goint to assist them, the thought customer was nowhere to be found.
"It sounds like many people have experienced things at the Emmitt House," said Woodyard.
Although she affirms that nothing she says can be proven, the author plans to write about the Emmitt House in her next book.
Woodyard has written several books.
The Pike County News Watchman
August 2003
Copyright © 2003
Pike Co. Genealogy Society a Chapter of O.G.S.
P. O. Box 224, Waverly, Ohio 45690