6/30/2009 3:08:00 PM
Paranormal request
Galena City Council approves PRI’s overnight visit to Turner Hall
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by Richard Clark
GALENA-Is there, or is there not, a ghost in Turner Hall?
And if there is, whose ghost is it?
Practically all of the many different individuals and groups that have worked in the hall over the years, including this writer, have favorite candidates and names for the visitants; "Spencer Spook" attended and even occasionally was thought by some to have helped at rehearsals of the Galena Art Theatre in the 1960s and '70s.
Daryl Watson, former director of the Galena/JDC Historical Society and Museum says some people have suggested the Turner Hall ghost might be Charles Scheerer.
Scheerer was the first manager of the hall after it was built in 1874 and continued his interest in the building until March 14, 1910, when he was found dead in the Turner Hall, apparently of natural causes.
Watson, a skeptic, has written a book, "Ghosts of Galena," recounting many of Galena's ghost stories from the Turner Hall and elsewhere in Galena.
Soon to be revealed?
Soon we may know-or may not know-if there's a ghost.
The Galena City Council received a letter on June 5, from Chad Griffiths, founder of Paranormal Research of Illinois, requesting permission to visit the building during the day, and spend a night there in order "to conduct a series of scientific tests that are designed to possibly collect evidence of the paranormal."
Griffiths notes that he has conducted several investigations of buildings in Galena, including the DeSoto House Hotel and One Eleven Main. He also stated that he is working with a producer of a documentary for A&E who is interested in including a segment on Galena in his film.
The council agreed to allow Griffiths to make his investigation in Turner Hall, after payment of a $75 rental fee.
Alderwoman Sue Cording suggested that, in fairness to other groups who rent the hall, the paranormal investigators should pay a reasonable rent for using the hall.
Alderman Todd Lincoln voted against the motion to rent the hall to the investigators; all other council members voted in favor of the motion.
Final word
This writer, speaking as one who believes he several times received assistance from Mr. Scheerer in the matter of stage lighting, is going to be really disappointed by a negative finding!
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