Ghosts of Ohio Newsletter - June 2007
JUNE 2007 NEWSLETTER
THE GHOSTS OF OHIO NEWSLETTER
Volume 4 / Issue 4
So here we are: the first issue of The Ghosts of Ohio newsletter since we made the jump from quarterly to bi-monthly issues. For those of you who have been with us a while, you'll notice the return of columns such as Ohio Ghost Stories. Other sections like Tools of the Trade and our movie and book reviews have taken some time off. But no worries; they will be back again next issue.
As I started looking at all the exciting things going on in The Ghosts of Ohio organization this month, I realized something: we've really come a long way in the 8 years since I started everything up back in 1999. And believe it or not, some of you out there have been with me almost the entire time. So I just wanted to take a moment to thank all of you, our fans, for sticking with us all these years. That really means a lot to us.
Cheers,
James A. Willis
Founder/Director
SUMMER PRESENTATIONS
Seems the rest of Ohio is finally realizing something we've known for a long time: ghosts aren't just for Halloween anymore! In fact, The Ghosts of Ohio is as busy as we've ever been with presentations this summer. So be sure to check out our schedule of events calendar on our Myspace page to see when we're coming to your town. www.myspace.com/ghostsofohio
GREEN LAWN CEMETERY CLEANUP
On Saturday, May 26th, The Ghosts of Ohio conducted their monthly cleanup of their adopted section, lot 50, in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus. After greeting our lot's favorite residents, James Thurber and Emil Ambos, members of our Columbus and Cincinnati divisions got to work and collected over 5 leaf bags full of dead sticks and dead leaves. We then spent some time weeding around the stones and, since it was Memorial Day weekend, writing down the names of all the veterans in our section so we could learn more about them at a later time.
MYSPACE
No one can have too many ghostly friends. So if you have a MySpace account, swing by and add us to your friends list: www.myspace.com/ghostsofohio
INVESTIGATIONS
The Ghosts of Ohio is actively seeking investigations for 2007. If you or someone you know is experiencing something unexplained in their home or place of business, contact us at info@ghostsofohio.org or visit our web site to fill out an investigation request. All investigations are offered free of charge, and confidentiality and discretion are assured.
THE GHOSTS OF OHIO'S 8th ANNIVERSARY
Hard to believe, but on May 9th of this year, The Ghosts of Ohio celebrated it's 8th anniversary. Of course, it's taken us an extra month to finally get around to celebrating it, but we will! Oh, how we will! We're planning an outdoor jamboree complete with a cookout, games, visits to local haunted places, and of course, ghost stories. Jealous? Don't be. Just visit our web site, fill out a membership application, and you just might be able to join us for our 9th anniversary celebration! http://www.ghostsofohio.org/oapp.pdf
THE GHOSTS OF OHIO MERCHANDISE
>From baseball caps to baby clothes, we have everything you and your family need to be well dressed, well supplied, and well GOO-ed. Join the dozens who have purchased our best-selling thong or our exclusive "Investigate This!" T-shirt. All proceeds help support The Ghosts of Ohio organization. www.cafepress.com/ghostsofohio
OHIO GHOST STORIES
Eden Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
There's nothing we like more than a ghost story that is tied to real-life events. Throw in an old bootlegger and you've got yourself one heck of a tale! Such is the case of the legend surrounding Eden Park in Cincinnati. Back in the 1920s, George Remus was a successful lawyer in Cincinnati. Being a high-priced criminal defense lawyer, Remus was often called upon by some very wealthy members of the criminal underworld. And Remus started to notice that many of these clients had gotten quite wealthy in the illegal liquor business. So he divorced his wife, quit his day job, and ran off with his secretary, Imogene, to start a new job as a bootlegger.
It didn't take long for Remus to start making an impact. As a lawyer, and a smart one, Remus knew the letter of the law…and how to get around it. Using loophole after loophole, Remus' liquor empire spread quickly throughout Cincinnati and into neighboring Kentucky. The money kept pouring in and George and Imogene were married shortly thereafter, throwing a huge wedding reception. After their honeymoon, Mr. and Mrs. Remus became the talk of Cincinnati due to the lavish parties they would throw. All seemed to be going well until people in town started whispering that all was not well in the Remus camp. They said that Imogene was planning to divorce George and take him for all he was worth. As proof, they pointed to the fact that Imogene was no longer living in the Remus mansion and had instead taken up residence in a hotel downtown. For once, the rumor mill turned out to be true, for Imogene was indeed planning on divorcing George. In George's eyes, not only could a divorce spell financial ruin for him, but if Imogene were to open her mouth, all his bootlegging secrets could get out. He couldn't let that happen.
On October 6th, 1927, Imogene left the downtown Cincinnati hotel where she was staying and got into a cab, bound for a meeting with her lawyer to discuss the divorce. Apparently, someone had tipped George off about the meeting because he was right behind Imogene's taxi as it wound its way through the streets of Cincinnati. When the taxi took a shortcut through Eden Park, George overtook it and forced it to the side of the road in front of the gazebo. Imogene jumped from the taxi, but was shot dead by a single bullet from George's gun.
George was arrested and tried for murder. During the trial, Remus defended himself and claimed that the murder had been committed during a moment of temporary insanity. Due largely to the fact that Remus was well-liked in Cincinnati (not to mention his mob ties), the jury deliberated a mere nineteen minutes before finding him not guilty by reason of insanity. The state made a weak effort to have Remus committed to an asylum, but then gave up and simply let him walk. After the trial, Remus attempted to get back into the bootlegging business, but was unsuccessful. And after Prohibition was repealed several years later, Remus moved to Kentucky, where he would spent his remaining years in relative obscurity.
As for Imogene Remus, however, she reportedly never found peace. In fact, the ghost of a woman believed to be Imogene is sometimes seen standing by the side of the road near the gazebo in Eden Park, dressed in a long black dress.
JOIN THE GHOSTS OF OHIO
Do you have an interest in ghosts and the paranormal? Would you like to join The Ghosts of Ohio on an investigation? Here's your chance! Simply follow the link below, complete the online application, print it out, and mail it to us. It's that simple!
http://www.ghostsofohio.org/oapp.pdf
INVESTIGATE THIS!
Thinking about visiting someplace spooky this summer? Take The Ghosts of Ohio along with you. Here's how:
*Purchase a GOO-exclusive "Investigate This!" T-shirt from our online store (www.cafepress.com/ghostsofohio).
*Have your picture taken (while wearing the shirt) in front of a haunted landmark**--it can be around the corner or around the globe!
*Send it to info@ghostsofohio.org with the names of everyone in the picture and location information.
*We'll add it to the rogues' gallery on our Fan Page, complete with credits.
**The Ghosts of Ohio organization does not condone or encourage trespassing or the breaking of any laws in order to obtain photographs. We will not post any photographs on our site that appear to have been obtained by such means. In addition, we will not post any photographs of private residences unless you are either the current owner or have obtained written permission from the owner(s).
GHOSTLY WHISPERS
The Ghosts of Ohio is currently researching these stories for inclusion on our web site or future editions of our newsletter. If you have any information on these allegedly haunted locations, let us know. And if you give us a tip, we'll post a special "thank you" to you when we complete the story and post it. We'll also let you know where and when the story is going to run so you can be the envy of all your friends!
Beach Grove Cemetery (Corning/Perry County)
Ellis Bike Path Bridge (Zanesville/Muskingum County)
Gibbs Bridge (Sylvania/Lucas County)
Lockbourne Hell House (Lockbourne/Franklin County)
Screaming Mimi Bridge (?????/Seneca County)
ADMINISTRATION
The Ghosts of Ohio Newsletter is a free, quarterly email newsletter. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or change your email address, please visit http://mailman.ghostsofohio.org/mailman/listinfo/ghostsofohio. Please do not send vacation notices or other auto-responses to us, as we may unsubscribe you.
The Ghosts of Ohio collects your name and email address for the purpose of sending this mailing. We will never share your name or email address with advertisers, vendors, or any third party, unless required by law. The Ghosts of Ohio will never sell, trade, or rent your personal information.
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