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Main Street
St Charles seems to have more than its share of mysterious
manifestations. Just glimpsed glows, unexplained noises, and flitting
shadows at the edge of vision. Lights, sights, sounds and even ghostly
smells have been reported along here. |
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From 1789 to
1853, St. Charles Borromeo cemetery was located in what is now the 400
block of South Main. According to church records, the graveyard was
closed in 1853 and the stones were moved to the new graveyard (the
current location) on Randolph Street. However, there are no records to
indicate any effort was made to move the bodies to the new location. |
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Block 28 –
between Jackson and Tompkins – is also the site of another ambitious
project. An attempt is being made to reconstruct a copy of the Old
(original) Borromeo Church, a building that will not “rest in peace.”
The log church is being rebuilt on its original location and seems to be
drawing interesting visitors even before it is finished. |
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The Lady in
White, a young woman in what seems to be a wedding dress has been seen
here a few times. She stands quietly, with her head down almost as if in
prayer. Who is this mysterious visitor? Items in the research collection
of Dr. Michael Henry could provide an explanation. |
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A letter
written by Hiram Berry (of St Charles), dated September 1822, tells of
“a nice looking woman that lives on the same march with me.” He tells of
a new son, born healthy, but she died a short time later. According to
Hiram, “she was buried in her wedding dress, cream trimmed in white
lace, the only nice dress she owned. She looked beautiful with her head
turned to one side and a smile on her face.” |
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Hiram mailed
his letter from somewhere in Kansas. He was never heard from again.
Chances are, his ghost roams somewhere along the Osage trail. The young
woman was buried here, in the “lost graveyard.” Beyond a doubt, a number
of bodies remain here, forgotten in their eternal slumber. Number among
them a young mother buried in her wedding dress. Perhaps she waits for
her lover, but he moved west and was never seen again. Perhaps this
woman, her lover and their son still roam, searching for each other. |
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In April of
2006, Dr. Michael Henry began to offer guided tours of Main Street St
Charles. A life long resident of St Charles he has been investigating
the paranormal for more than 30 years. He has written 3 books and more
than two hundred articles. He has been a teacher for more than 25 years
and currently teaches at Lindenwood University. |
Dr Henry is a
serious professional researcher and presenter – not just a “consultant.” A
highly experienced public speaker, he has spoken to thousands of audiences
all over the United States and Europe. He has appeared on BBC Radio and GMTV
(in England) and on U-TV in Belfast, Northern Ireland, just to name a few.
Several hundred people have been amazed, enlightened and entertained since
the tours began in April of this year. The tours – and Dr. Henry – have
proven to be very popular.
“Over the years I
have compiled and acquired thousands of pages of research,” says Dr. Henry.
“It is time to share some of my findings. I have waded through many dry,
dusty pages, and I have chosen the most credible and the most interesting of
these stories and I share them on this tour.”
Dr. Henry has family and family records dating back more than 150 years in the St Charles Area, including notes written in the margins of books, carefully preserved letters, photographs, post cards and personal items. Many of these items are unique and have never been available to the public before. His Great Grandfather was a Musician on the Goldenrod showboat, and another branch of the family was “wiped out” by the great New Madrid earthquake on Halloween night, in 1895.
Michael Henry was born in the Midwest, lives in the Midwest and works in the Midwest. As a result, he is not typical of the Midwest. Michael has worked as a high school teacher, college professor, musician, mechanical engineer, computer consultant, performer, speaker, and is the author of several books. Currently, he is a professional magician and speaker, performing all over the world (not just the Midwest) including Las Vegas, Chicago, St. Louis, New York, Denver and Europe.
He currently
shares a house (in the Midwest ) with a cat, 10,000 books and an
extensive wine cellar.
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