Quality Inn at General Lee's Headquarters
Monday, September 26, 2011
Ghosts Trip Silent Motion Detector Alarms!
Monday, November 24, 2008, 4:07 p.m.
Attached to General Lee's Headquarters, which which is located on hotel property and which houses a museum on the lower level, is a gift shop. A guest or visitor must go through the gift shop in order to visit the museum. The museum and gift shop are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from approximately March 1st to November 22.
As I was driving into work today, I was contemplating the fact that the soldier spirits at the hotel had not been very active as of late. As I was walking up to the lobby building, I actually said out loud: "Boys, you haven't done anything lately. Don't you love me anymore?" Be careful what you ask for!
When I arrived, it was the shift change and the only people left in the building were myself and the day manager. She was in the process of informing me of all the things that I needed to know for the upcoming night, when the phone rang. The security company was on the phone letting us know that the silent alarm in the workshop, which is located behind the hotel, had been tripped. I immediately contacted one of the maintenance men, who was still on the hotel grounds, and he went down to investigate the cause of the silent alarm. He found nothing amiss.
At approximately 6:05 p.m., I was going over some paperwork in the inner office, when the museum/gift shop alarm went off. The alarm itself is very loud and is wired to be heard in the lobby building. The security company immediately called and informed me that the motion detectors in the museum/gift shop had been tripped.
Within three minutes, my maintenance man was sent to go through the museum and gift shop. After a careful inspection of the building, he could find nothing that would have tripped any of the motion detectors. He even checked the heating system that may have inadvertently blown hot air over one of the sensors. Since the building had already been closed for the season, he thought perhaps the last staff person in there may have forgotten to shut down the system. After checking all the motion detectors, he realized that none of them are located anywhere near the heating system or air conditioning vents and that the entire system had been turned off for the season.
When the maintenance man returned and explained everything to me, he was puzzled. He said: "Do you think it was a ghost?" I said: "Actually, yes, I do."
He looked at me as if I was nuts and left.
At 6:51 p.m., I was standing at the front lobby counter checking in an elderly gentleman. I suddenly heard a loud click behind me. The lobby lights immediately went out. The guest asked me if one of the other employees was playing a prank by shutting off the lobby lights. I informed him that I was the only person working in the building at this time.
I then explained to the guest that there is a panel on the other side of the wall behind me which houses the light switches for the entire building and the outside lights. I left the guest to look at that panel inside the inner office and found the panel closed. When I opened it, I discovered that the light switch for the lobby lights had been flipped into the "off" position. I flipped the switch back on and went back to the guest. I explained to the guest that the switches are hard to snap into place and cannot slip on their own. The gentleman was shocked and asked me to finish up the check in process as quickly as possible. He wanted out of there!
At 9:07 p.m., I was finishing up some early audit paperwork, when the museum/gift shop alarm went off again. Once again, the security company called and informed me that the motion detectors indicated that someone had tripped the sensors. Once again, my maintenance man was inside the museum/gift shop in minutes. Yes, you guessed it! The maintenance man told me that there was no one inside the museum/gift shop and he could find nothing that would trip those motion sensors. This time, however, he didn't say anything to me about "ghosts." I just smiled at him when he came to me with his report and he quickly left.
The only other times the motion sensors have gone off have been in the dead of winter when it is extremely windy. The hotel sits out on the first day's battlefield and it is wide open for many miles. When the high winds kick up, it will often set off the alarms in the museum/gift shop. There was no wind on this night.
Okay, my soldier spirit friends, I have gotten the message! You are still here. No more alarms please. It scares the crap out of me when they go off.
There were no more alarms going off this night.
Ghosts Opening Cabinets In Middle of Night
Thursday, October 16, 2008, 5:30 a.m.
Courtney and I were visiting the soldier spirits on the battlefield when she related the following events that took place in today's early morning hours:
Courtney walked into the breakfast room to prepare the coffee for the guests' breakfast service. As soon as she approached the antique cabinets located in the rear of the room, she noticed that the doors were open on two of the cabinets.
All of the cabinets have wooden latches that lock and keep the doors closed. Courtney noticed that the latches were turned, unlocked and the doors were open. The last time Courtney was in the breakfast room was at 1:30 a.m. when she was getting some coffee for herself. At that time, the locks were securely in place and the cabinet doors were closed.
No guests had entered that area since the entire building, which comprises the lobby, inner office, breakfast prep room, laundry room and breakfast area, is closed at midnight.
This is a common occurrence and Courtney and I have both tried to re-create the latches unlocking by themselves to no avail. The latches have to physically be unlocked to get the cabinet doors to open.
Courtney and I were visiting the soldier spirits on the battlefield when she related the following events that took place in today's early morning hours:
Courtney walked into the breakfast room to prepare the coffee for the guests' breakfast service. As soon as she approached the antique cabinets located in the rear of the room, she noticed that the doors were open on two of the cabinets.
All of the cabinets have wooden latches that lock and keep the doors closed. Courtney noticed that the latches were turned, unlocked and the doors were open. The last time Courtney was in the breakfast room was at 1:30 a.m. when she was getting some coffee for herself. At that time, the locks were securely in place and the cabinet doors were closed.
No guests had entered that area since the entire building, which comprises the lobby, inner office, breakfast prep room, laundry room and breakfast area, is closed at midnight.
This is a common occurrence and Courtney and I have both tried to re-create the latches unlocking by themselves to no avail. The latches have to physically be unlocked to get the cabinet doors to open.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ghosts Shutting Off Outside Lights
Monday, September 22, 2008, 7:43 p.m.
I was inside the inner office chatting with Carrie. Carrie works on Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to assist me during the peak check-in time. At the time of our chat, I was standing one foot from the closed wall panel which displays the light switches for all the outside hotel lights.
I had previously turned the outside hotel lights on at 7:00 p.m. As I stood there chatting with Carrie, I heard a loud click and immediately looked at the closed light panel. I asked Carrie if she heard that click and she said yes.
I opened the panel and saw that the switch for the portico lights, which illuminate the front door of the lobby, had been turned to the "off" position. It was then that I looked toward the front door and saw that, indeed, the lights in the front of the hotel were off.
I told Carrie that what we apparently heard was the light switch being flipped, shutting off the outside lights.
"Oh, no, they did NOT shut off," was Carrie's immediate response. I laughed and told her to look for herself. Carrie kept saying, "I did not hear that; I did not see that."
"It's too late, Carrie. You already admitted it, and you are a witness."
It never ceases to amaze me how the soldier spirits can flip those switches with the panel door closed. It have witnessed this countless times and it still astounds me.
On a side note, the soldier spirits at the hotel do love to tease Carrie. I believe it is because her reactions to their playful deeds are so priceless.
Ironically enough, Carrie lives in a house which is also located on the first day's battlefield, not far from the hotel, in an area that saw considerable action. She sits on her front porch at night and often hears invisible horses galloping down the road in front of her house, along with other phantom sounds.
I was inside the inner office chatting with Carrie. Carrie works on Mondays from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to assist me during the peak check-in time. At the time of our chat, I was standing one foot from the closed wall panel which displays the light switches for all the outside hotel lights.
I had previously turned the outside hotel lights on at 7:00 p.m. As I stood there chatting with Carrie, I heard a loud click and immediately looked at the closed light panel. I asked Carrie if she heard that click and she said yes.
I opened the panel and saw that the switch for the portico lights, which illuminate the front door of the lobby, had been turned to the "off" position. It was then that I looked toward the front door and saw that, indeed, the lights in the front of the hotel were off.
I told Carrie that what we apparently heard was the light switch being flipped, shutting off the outside lights.
"Oh, no, they did NOT shut off," was Carrie's immediate response. I laughed and told her to look for herself. Carrie kept saying, "I did not hear that; I did not see that."
"It's too late, Carrie. You already admitted it, and you are a witness."
It never ceases to amaze me how the soldier spirits can flip those switches with the panel door closed. It have witnessed this countless times and it still astounds me.
On a side note, the soldier spirits at the hotel do love to tease Carrie. I believe it is because her reactions to their playful deeds are so priceless.
Ironically enough, Carrie lives in a house which is also located on the first day's battlefield, not far from the hotel, in an area that saw considerable action. She sits on her front porch at night and often hears invisible horses galloping down the road in front of her house, along with other phantom sounds.
More Ghostly Pranks
Sunday, September 21, 2008, 3:00 a.m.
This was relayed to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor, Courtney:
Courtney received a call from a guest who needed assistance at 1:30 a.m. She left the office by way of the back door in the laundry room, making certain the door was locked securely behind her, and proceeded to go down to the lower wing of the hotel. When she returned, she entered by the same back door, walking through the well lit laundry room, opened another door, closed it and passed through the inner office into the lobby to do some work on one of the computer workstations located there.
At approximately 3:00 a.m., Courtney finished work on the lobby computer and walked into the inner office. It was at this time that she noticed the door to the laundry room, which she had previously closed, was wide open and the laundry room was dark. Courtney was startled to see the door open and the lights turned off. She checked the entire area and found no one there.
She told me she never heard the door into the laundry room open or heard the light switch in the laundry room click off.
This was relayed to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor, Courtney:
Courtney received a call from a guest who needed assistance at 1:30 a.m. She left the office by way of the back door in the laundry room, making certain the door was locked securely behind her, and proceeded to go down to the lower wing of the hotel. When she returned, she entered by the same back door, walking through the well lit laundry room, opened another door, closed it and passed through the inner office into the lobby to do some work on one of the computer workstations located there.
At approximately 3:00 a.m., Courtney finished work on the lobby computer and walked into the inner office. It was at this time that she noticed the door to the laundry room, which she had previously closed, was wide open and the laundry room was dark. Courtney was startled to see the door open and the lights turned off. She checked the entire area and found no one there.
She told me she never heard the door into the laundry room open or heard the light switch in the laundry room click off.
Ghosts Moving Things Again
Thursday, September 18, 2008, 5:30 a.m.
This was relayed to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor, Courtney:
Courtney was working her overnight shift and had been in and out of the breakfast room getting coffee several times during the night. When she stepped into the room at 5:30 a.m., she immediately noticed that one of the chairs at the tables had been pulled completely out and away from the table.
When Courtney described it to me, she said it looked like someone had been sitting there with their feet up on the table relaxing. Courtney also noticed that the bowl which contains sugar packets that is normally placed in the center of the table had been moved to the edge of the table. No one, with the exception of Courtney, had been in the breakfast room since midnight.
I have often walked through the breakfast room during the middle of the night and found those sugar bowls moved to the edge of the tables, as well as chairs pulled away from the tables.
This was relayed to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor, Courtney:
Courtney was working her overnight shift and had been in and out of the breakfast room getting coffee several times during the night. When she stepped into the room at 5:30 a.m., she immediately noticed that one of the chairs at the tables had been pulled completely out and away from the table.
When Courtney described it to me, she said it looked like someone had been sitting there with their feet up on the table relaxing. Courtney also noticed that the bowl which contains sugar packets that is normally placed in the center of the table had been moved to the edge of the table. No one, with the exception of Courtney, had been in the breakfast room since midnight.
I have often walked through the breakfast room during the middle of the night and found those sugar bowls moved to the edge of the tables, as well as chairs pulled away from the tables.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Phantom Cigar Smoke
Wednesday, September 17, 2008, 4:30 p.m.
I walked back into the laundry room to get some items out of the big freezer for breakfast the following morning. As soon as I opened the door to step into the laundry room, I smelled the heavy odor of cigar smoke. I looked around to see if the back door was open thinking that perhaps it might be a guest outside near the beverage machine who was smoking a cigar. The door was closed. I looked outside and there was no one in the vicinity.
I immediately left the laundry room to get some air freshener to spray around the laundry room because I didn't want that strong cigar smoke smell to permeate the clean, fresh sheets located there. When I returned to the location where I noticed that very strong cigar smoke odor, it was completely gone. I walked all around the room, but couldn't find a hint of that smell anywhere.
At 6:40 p.m., I went back into the laundry room to retrieve my dinner from the microwave and noticed that the back door was locked. I asked my co-worker, Courtney, if she had locked that back door and she said no.
Thanks, boys! You are taking that "keep us safe and keep the doors locked" seriously!
I walked back into the laundry room to get some items out of the big freezer for breakfast the following morning. As soon as I opened the door to step into the laundry room, I smelled the heavy odor of cigar smoke. I looked around to see if the back door was open thinking that perhaps it might be a guest outside near the beverage machine who was smoking a cigar. The door was closed. I looked outside and there was no one in the vicinity.
I immediately left the laundry room to get some air freshener to spray around the laundry room because I didn't want that strong cigar smoke smell to permeate the clean, fresh sheets located there. When I returned to the location where I noticed that very strong cigar smoke odor, it was completely gone. I walked all around the room, but couldn't find a hint of that smell anywhere.
At 6:40 p.m., I went back into the laundry room to retrieve my dinner from the microwave and noticed that the back door was locked. I asked my co-worker, Courtney, if she had locked that back door and she said no.
Thanks, boys! You are taking that "keep us safe and keep the doors locked" seriously!
More Ghostly Tricks!
Monday, September 15, 2008, 9:20 p.m.
I was standing at the front counter in the lobby checking in a guest and happened to look out the front door (which is glass paneled) to see the vehicle the guest was driving to complete the registration. I could clearly see the vehicle in the well-lit area out front.
Only a few minutes later, at 9:31 p.m., I stepped out to the front counter to answer the phone. As I was speaking on the phone taking a reservation, I happened to glance up and noticed that the outside lights that illuminate the front of the hotel were out and it was very dark.
I finished with the reservation, when into the inner office to check the panel with the light switches and saw the the light switch for the front hotel lights was turned in the "off" position. I was surprised that, this time, I didn't hear the soldier spirits flip that switch, which I usually do. The switches are old, make a loud click and are difficult to snap into place. Snuck that one in on me!
I was standing at the front counter in the lobby checking in a guest and happened to look out the front door (which is glass paneled) to see the vehicle the guest was driving to complete the registration. I could clearly see the vehicle in the well-lit area out front.
Only a few minutes later, at 9:31 p.m., I stepped out to the front counter to answer the phone. As I was speaking on the phone taking a reservation, I happened to glance up and noticed that the outside lights that illuminate the front of the hotel were out and it was very dark.
I finished with the reservation, when into the inner office to check the panel with the light switches and saw the the light switch for the front hotel lights was turned in the "off" position. I was surprised that, this time, I didn't hear the soldier spirits flip that switch, which I usually do. The switches are old, make a loud click and are difficult to snap into place. Snuck that one in on me!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Phantom Artillery Shells? Phantom Small Arms Fire?
Sunday, September 14, 2008, 2:40 a.m.
I was sitting in the inner office reading, when I heard a series of loud bangs which sounded like something heavy was hitting the front of the building. I immediately went to the front door of the lobby and stepped outside.
There was no one there. I didn't find anything at all lying on the front porch or on the surrounding ground that might have hit the building. Everything was peaceful and quiet on the battlefield.
I went back inside to continue my reading. Approximately three minutes later, I heard two loud bangs which, once again, sounded like the front of the building was being hit with something heavy.
Once again, I went to the front door of the lobby and walked outside. There was nothing on the porch or the surrounding ground. Once again, everything was peaceful and quiet on the battlefield.
Phantom artillery shells? Or phantom small arms fire? Interesting. Considering that all the night staff have had the experience of hearing phantom artillery fire and/or phantom small arms fire in the middle of the night, it is a possibility.
I was sitting in the inner office reading, when I heard a series of loud bangs which sounded like something heavy was hitting the front of the building. I immediately went to the front door of the lobby and stepped outside.
There was no one there. I didn't find anything at all lying on the front porch or on the surrounding ground that might have hit the building. Everything was peaceful and quiet on the battlefield.
I went back inside to continue my reading. Approximately three minutes later, I heard two loud bangs which, once again, sounded like the front of the building was being hit with something heavy.
Once again, I went to the front door of the lobby and walked outside. There was nothing on the porch or the surrounding ground. Once again, everything was peaceful and quiet on the battlefield.
Phantom artillery shells? Or phantom small arms fire? Interesting. Considering that all the night staff have had the experience of hearing phantom artillery fire and/or phantom small arms fire in the middle of the night, it is a possibility.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
EVP Session in Hotel Lobby
Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 3:55 a.m.
I was, once again, getting one of the many cups of coffee that I drink during the night and it suddenly came into my mind to do some EVPs. I have learned, through the years, to trust my instincts and when something pops into my head without consciously thinking about it, it usually means someone is communicating with me. So, I didn't hesitate to grab my digital recorder.
I spent approximately one and one-half hours (beginning at 2:30 a.m.) in the breakfast room and lobby speaking with a soldier spirit. More on that below.
I finished my recording session and walked back into the inner office and stood listening to what the soldier spirit had been saying to me on the digital recorder when I heard a loud creaking sound. I immediately looked toward the source of the sound and watched the seat cushion on the leather recliner move or "un-depress" like someone just got up from sitting on it.
This is the not the first time I have witnessed this. Courtney, a co-worker and fellow night auditor, has also witnessed this several times.
MY EVP SESSION:
I was using my Sony digital recorder, which is set to record when a voice and/or sound is picked up by the recorder. I first started recording in the breakfast room and then moved from the breakfast room into the lobby. As soon as I turned on my digital recorder, I knew from the blinking light that someone was trying to communicate with me. Just as I stepped into the lobby, I noticed a marked difference in the temperature. When I checked the thermostat on the wall in the lobby, it read 75 degrees; however, the air around the front counter and in the lobby itself was ice cold. I thought that I should be seeing my own breath, it was that cold.
I have communicated with the soldier spirits on the battlefield thousands of times via my digital recorder, so I wasn't surprised to see that one of our many soldier spirits in the hotel was speaking to me. On my first playback, I realized it was not our Confederate soldier in the attic. He has a very distinct, frantic, speech pattern and he calls me by name constantly. This was someone completely new.
This new soldier spirit had a low, slow, deep voice. Sometimes, the soldier spirits speak very clearly; other times, they need some practice. We must remember that spirits have no physical body and they have to learn to speak in spirit. This soldier spirit was definitely one who had a lot of practice and knew how to use his energy to speak in spirit.
I proceeded to ask several questions, waiting long minutes in between each question to give my soldier spirit plenty of time to gather his energy to respond. (1) What is your name?; (2) What state are you from?; and (3) What regiment did you fight with? On playback, there were definite responses to my first two questions.
It was difficult to understand what he was saying because he spoke so slow and with such a low tone. However, he must have become frustrated with my last question because he shouted out his response. His response to my last question was: "I'M FROM THE SOUTH!" I immediately tried to confirm this with him, but he was silent.
I then noticed that the temperature in the lobby was no longer ice cold. After several more attempts to record him speaking to me to no avail, I decided to try again on my next all-night shift. It was clear he was finished speaking with me.
I have since listened to the recordings with Courtney, my co-worker and fellow night auditor. We both heard the same responses to my three questions. His answer to my first question (What's your name?) appears to be either Tom or John.
His answer to my second question (What state are you from?) appears to be Alabama.
There is no doubt about his response to my third question.
NOTE: I found in my research that one Alabama regiment, under the Third Corps. Division command of Maj. General Henry Heath, passed over the property on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg exactly where the hotel sits today. The 13th Alabama regiment, commanded by Col. Birkett D. Fry, directed by Brig. General James J. Archer, did, indeed, come through the area during their engagement with the Union Iron Brigade (2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 24th Michigan and 19th Indiana).
How cool is that?
I was in the process of checking out one of the guests at 7:10 a.m. and had to go into the inner office to retrieve some new keys, when I heard that loud creaking sound once again. I looked at the leather recliner and, once again, watched as the seat cushion moved up. I had not been sitting in that chair since 5:40 a.m. No one else was in that office during this time.
I was, once again, getting one of the many cups of coffee that I drink during the night and it suddenly came into my mind to do some EVPs. I have learned, through the years, to trust my instincts and when something pops into my head without consciously thinking about it, it usually means someone is communicating with me. So, I didn't hesitate to grab my digital recorder.
I spent approximately one and one-half hours (beginning at 2:30 a.m.) in the breakfast room and lobby speaking with a soldier spirit. More on that below.
I finished my recording session and walked back into the inner office and stood listening to what the soldier spirit had been saying to me on the digital recorder when I heard a loud creaking sound. I immediately looked toward the source of the sound and watched the seat cushion on the leather recliner move or "un-depress" like someone just got up from sitting on it.
This is the not the first time I have witnessed this. Courtney, a co-worker and fellow night auditor, has also witnessed this several times.
MY EVP SESSION:
I was using my Sony digital recorder, which is set to record when a voice and/or sound is picked up by the recorder. I first started recording in the breakfast room and then moved from the breakfast room into the lobby. As soon as I turned on my digital recorder, I knew from the blinking light that someone was trying to communicate with me. Just as I stepped into the lobby, I noticed a marked difference in the temperature. When I checked the thermostat on the wall in the lobby, it read 75 degrees; however, the air around the front counter and in the lobby itself was ice cold. I thought that I should be seeing my own breath, it was that cold.
I have communicated with the soldier spirits on the battlefield thousands of times via my digital recorder, so I wasn't surprised to see that one of our many soldier spirits in the hotel was speaking to me. On my first playback, I realized it was not our Confederate soldier in the attic. He has a very distinct, frantic, speech pattern and he calls me by name constantly. This was someone completely new.
This new soldier spirit had a low, slow, deep voice. Sometimes, the soldier spirits speak very clearly; other times, they need some practice. We must remember that spirits have no physical body and they have to learn to speak in spirit. This soldier spirit was definitely one who had a lot of practice and knew how to use his energy to speak in spirit.
I proceeded to ask several questions, waiting long minutes in between each question to give my soldier spirit plenty of time to gather his energy to respond. (1) What is your name?; (2) What state are you from?; and (3) What regiment did you fight with? On playback, there were definite responses to my first two questions.
It was difficult to understand what he was saying because he spoke so slow and with such a low tone. However, he must have become frustrated with my last question because he shouted out his response. His response to my last question was: "I'M FROM THE SOUTH!" I immediately tried to confirm this with him, but he was silent.
I then noticed that the temperature in the lobby was no longer ice cold. After several more attempts to record him speaking to me to no avail, I decided to try again on my next all-night shift. It was clear he was finished speaking with me.
I have since listened to the recordings with Courtney, my co-worker and fellow night auditor. We both heard the same responses to my three questions. His answer to my first question (What's your name?) appears to be either Tom or John.
His answer to my second question (What state are you from?) appears to be Alabama.
There is no doubt about his response to my third question.
NOTE: I found in my research that one Alabama regiment, under the Third Corps. Division command of Maj. General Henry Heath, passed over the property on the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg exactly where the hotel sits today. The 13th Alabama regiment, commanded by Col. Birkett D. Fry, directed by Brig. General James J. Archer, did, indeed, come through the area during their engagement with the Union Iron Brigade (2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin, 24th Michigan and 19th Indiana).
How cool is that?
I was in the process of checking out one of the guests at 7:10 a.m. and had to go into the inner office to retrieve some new keys, when I heard that loud creaking sound once again. I looked at the leather recliner and, once again, watched as the seat cushion moved up. I had not been sitting in that chair since 5:40 a.m. No one else was in that office during this time.
Ghosts Playing Tricks Again!
Monday, September 8, 2008, 6:40 p.m.
My co-worker, Carrie, was heating up our dinner in the microwave which is located in the laundry room. I stepped back into the room to say something to her and looked to my left to check on the back door. I noticed that the door was locked. I asked Carrie if she had locked it and she said: "Oh no, I did NOT lock that door!"
I laughed and said: "Well, our soldier spirits are certainly doing what I requested . . . locking the door and keeping us safe!"
At 8:30 p.m., I was sitting inside the inner office attending to some paperwork. Carrie had left for the day and I was all alone. I heard the front, lobby door open. I walked three steps to the front counter in the lobby. No one was in the lobby. I walked all through the front of the building and into the breakfast room. Not a living soul. Here we go!
At 8:36 p.m., I was back inside the inner office and, once again, heard the front, lobby door open. I, again, walked three steps to the front counter. No one was in the lobby. Once again, I walked all through the front of the building and into the breakfast room. Once again, there was not a living soul there. Okay, that's enough. I don't want to be jumping up and down all night, please!
There were no more incidents that night involving the front, lobby door opening of its own accord.
Note: The front, lobby door is a very heavy door with a spring latch located at the top of the door. I often watch as guests struggle to open the door.
My co-worker, Carrie, was heating up our dinner in the microwave which is located in the laundry room. I stepped back into the room to say something to her and looked to my left to check on the back door. I noticed that the door was locked. I asked Carrie if she had locked it and she said: "Oh no, I did NOT lock that door!"
I laughed and said: "Well, our soldier spirits are certainly doing what I requested . . . locking the door and keeping us safe!"
At 8:30 p.m., I was sitting inside the inner office attending to some paperwork. Carrie had left for the day and I was all alone. I heard the front, lobby door open. I walked three steps to the front counter in the lobby. No one was in the lobby. I walked all through the front of the building and into the breakfast room. Not a living soul. Here we go!
At 8:36 p.m., I was back inside the inner office and, once again, heard the front, lobby door open. I, again, walked three steps to the front counter. No one was in the lobby. Once again, I walked all through the front of the building and into the breakfast room. Once again, there was not a living soul there. Okay, that's enough. I don't want to be jumping up and down all night, please!
There were no more incidents that night involving the front, lobby door opening of its own accord.
Note: The front, lobby door is a very heavy door with a spring latch located at the top of the door. I often watch as guests struggle to open the door.
Smell of Death
Thursday, September 4, 2008, 10:57 p.m.
This was relayed to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney stepped outside the lobby through the private, side door and was immediately assaulted by a foul, rotting smell which overpowered her. She told me: "Carolyn, it turned my stomach." Courtney then walked down the breezeway, which is a covered walkway located between the office and the northern wing of the hotel. When she came back to the side, private entrance into the lobby, she noticed that the foul odor was gone.
I spoke at length with Courtney about this incident and she described the same, sickening stench that I once smelled in this same location several months ago. I conveyed to her my thoughts on this, that it might be a slip or an opening in a window of time, and that we were both smelling rotting dead bodies. She agreed with my description of the smell and that it matched her thoughts as well.
Considering that there was considerable fighting on the hotel property during the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as in the railroad cut which runs the length of the hotel, and in all the fields which surround the hotel, it makes sense that there would be many dead soldiers either on the property itself or surrounding the entire area.
This was relayed to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney stepped outside the lobby through the private, side door and was immediately assaulted by a foul, rotting smell which overpowered her. She told me: "Carolyn, it turned my stomach." Courtney then walked down the breezeway, which is a covered walkway located between the office and the northern wing of the hotel. When she came back to the side, private entrance into the lobby, she noticed that the foul odor was gone.
I spoke at length with Courtney about this incident and she described the same, sickening stench that I once smelled in this same location several months ago. I conveyed to her my thoughts on this, that it might be a slip or an opening in a window of time, and that we were both smelling rotting dead bodies. She agreed with my description of the smell and that it matched her thoughts as well.
Considering that there was considerable fighting on the hotel property during the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as in the railroad cut which runs the length of the hotel, and in all the fields which surround the hotel, it makes sense that there would be many dead soldiers either on the property itself or surrounding the entire area.
Phantom Pipe Tobacco
Friday, August 29, 2008, 5:11 p.m.
I was sitting at the desk inside the inner office working on some paperwork when Carrie, a co-worker, stepped in on her way to get some extra towels for a guest. She went to the door which leads into the laundry room, but found the door locked.
Carrie asked me if I had locked that inside door and I told her no. She then unlocked the door and went into the laundry room. When she came out with the towels, she reported that the back door was also locked. I did not lock that door either. I could not help but laugh at this, much to Carrie's chagrin.
After she gave the towels to the guests, I explained to Carrie the problem Courtney and I had been having with the soldier spirits unlocking the doors to the outside in the middle of the night. I related the fact that I had gone to each door with a request that the soldier spirits NOT unlock the doors to keep us safe.
It seems that they are letting me know that they got my message and are now locking ALL the doors, including those inside the building!
At 6:18 p.m., Carrie came inside the inner office to tell me that she smelled pipe tobacco in the lobby. I walked out into the lobby and, sure enough, I smelled that wonderful, sweet cherry pipe tobacco aroma. I have often smelled this very distinct aroma out on the battlefield when there was not one person visible for miles.
I asked Carrie if anyone had come into our "no smoking" lobby with a pipe, and she said no. The aroma was strongest behind the lobby counter where we stand. It lasted for just a few minutes, then it dissipated.
Note: The most popular pipe tobacco that was smoked by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War was a cherry pipe tobacco.
At 8:10 p.m., Carrie was preparing to go home. We were together inside the inner office chatting. Carrie was standing at the doorway of the office with a clear view into the lobby. We both heard the front, lobby door open. Carrie walked out to the lobby counter, walked all around the lobby and into the breakfast room and then came back into the inner office. I looked up from the paperwork I was attending to and saw that her face was a white as a sheet. She told me that there was no one in either the lobby or breakfast room. Carrie told me that she watched the front door open, but no one came in.
Yes, I know. It happens all the time. Carrie quickly departed for the day.
I was sitting at the desk inside the inner office working on some paperwork when Carrie, a co-worker, stepped in on her way to get some extra towels for a guest. She went to the door which leads into the laundry room, but found the door locked.
Carrie asked me if I had locked that inside door and I told her no. She then unlocked the door and went into the laundry room. When she came out with the towels, she reported that the back door was also locked. I did not lock that door either. I could not help but laugh at this, much to Carrie's chagrin.
After she gave the towels to the guests, I explained to Carrie the problem Courtney and I had been having with the soldier spirits unlocking the doors to the outside in the middle of the night. I related the fact that I had gone to each door with a request that the soldier spirits NOT unlock the doors to keep us safe.
It seems that they are letting me know that they got my message and are now locking ALL the doors, including those inside the building!
At 6:18 p.m., Carrie came inside the inner office to tell me that she smelled pipe tobacco in the lobby. I walked out into the lobby and, sure enough, I smelled that wonderful, sweet cherry pipe tobacco aroma. I have often smelled this very distinct aroma out on the battlefield when there was not one person visible for miles.
I asked Carrie if anyone had come into our "no smoking" lobby with a pipe, and she said no. The aroma was strongest behind the lobby counter where we stand. It lasted for just a few minutes, then it dissipated.
Note: The most popular pipe tobacco that was smoked by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War was a cherry pipe tobacco.
At 8:10 p.m., Carrie was preparing to go home. We were together inside the inner office chatting. Carrie was standing at the doorway of the office with a clear view into the lobby. We both heard the front, lobby door open. Carrie walked out to the lobby counter, walked all around the lobby and into the breakfast room and then came back into the inner office. I looked up from the paperwork I was attending to and saw that her face was a white as a sheet. She told me that there was no one in either the lobby or breakfast room. Carrie told me that she watched the front door open, but no one came in.
Yes, I know. It happens all the time. Carrie quickly departed for the day.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Watched Items Move By Themselves! More Cold Spots.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 1:36 a.m.
At the time of this post, the coffee machine was still located in the breakfast room. We have since built an addition, and the coffee machine is now located in the breakfast prep room.
I went into the breakfast room to get my fourth cup of coffee. I keep the coffee urn on top of one of the antique cabinets located there for easy access for my many trips during the night.
On the front of this particular antique cabinet are two doors latched with an ornamental piece of wood. The wooden latch pieces keep the doors securely closed and in order to open the doors, you have to twist the wood pieces.
As I stood there making my fourth cup of coffee, I watched one of the cabinet doors below and in front of me open fully. I literally had to step back from the cabinet to get out of the way of the door as it opened. I checked the latch and it was moved to the unlock position.
On previous occasions, in the middle of the night, I had discovered all the cabinet doors on all the antique cabinets wide open. However, I have never witnessed them open by themselves right in front of me before.
At 3:36 a.m., I was sitting inside the inner office reading. I suddenly noticed a significant drop in temperature. It became so ice cold so quickly that I went to get my fleece jacket to warm up. It sounds ridiculous, but it was one of those bone chilling cold blasts that seemed to fill the entire office area.
I walked into the lobby to check the thermostat which is located there. The gauge read 76 degrees and the air temperature there appeared normal. I ventured back into the inner office and was, once again, hit with ice cold air. It remained ice cold in this area for about 10 minutes. Then, just as quickly as it started, the air temperature inside the inner office returned to normal. It was some time, however, before I could remove my fleece jacket. I felt chilled to the bone. The thought that came into my head at that time was that it must have been quite a few of our soldier spirits marching on through!
At the time of this post, the coffee machine was still located in the breakfast room. We have since built an addition, and the coffee machine is now located in the breakfast prep room.
I went into the breakfast room to get my fourth cup of coffee. I keep the coffee urn on top of one of the antique cabinets located there for easy access for my many trips during the night.
On the front of this particular antique cabinet are two doors latched with an ornamental piece of wood. The wooden latch pieces keep the doors securely closed and in order to open the doors, you have to twist the wood pieces.
As I stood there making my fourth cup of coffee, I watched one of the cabinet doors below and in front of me open fully. I literally had to step back from the cabinet to get out of the way of the door as it opened. I checked the latch and it was moved to the unlock position.
On previous occasions, in the middle of the night, I had discovered all the cabinet doors on all the antique cabinets wide open. However, I have never witnessed them open by themselves right in front of me before.
At 3:36 a.m., I was sitting inside the inner office reading. I suddenly noticed a significant drop in temperature. It became so ice cold so quickly that I went to get my fleece jacket to warm up. It sounds ridiculous, but it was one of those bone chilling cold blasts that seemed to fill the entire office area.
I walked into the lobby to check the thermostat which is located there. The gauge read 76 degrees and the air temperature there appeared normal. I ventured back into the inner office and was, once again, hit with ice cold air. It remained ice cold in this area for about 10 minutes. Then, just as quickly as it started, the air temperature inside the inner office returned to normal. It was some time, however, before I could remove my fleece jacket. I felt chilled to the bone. The thought that came into my head at that time was that it must have been quite a few of our soldier spirits marching on through!
Phantom Cigar Smoke, Moving Objects Witnessed!
Monday, August 25, 2008, 3:50 p.m.
When I arrive at work, I always park in front of General Lee's Headquarters, which is located on the hotel property. Yes, this was General Robert E. Lee's headquarters during the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg.
After parking my car, I opened my door and the very strong, pungent smell of cigar smoke hit me hard in the face. I immediately looked around to see if there was a visitor for the museum that is located in the headquarters building with a cigar. No one was in the area. As I walked up to the main building, which is several hundred yards away, the very strong odor seemed to accompany me the entire way.
It wasn't until I opened the lobby door and stepped into the building that it dissipated. I hesitated to even make note of this, except that this is the same reception I have been receiving the last three days that I have worked at exactly the same time I arrive. My arrival times on those three days were always different. I always check the area for cigar-smoking visitors and never see anyone. I will make a notice of the frequency of any future occurrences.
We continually hear many comments from guests who stay in the suite that is located on the top floor of the building where General Robert E. Lee made his headquarters. One comment that is repeated more than any other is the smell of cigar smoke in the suite. There is no smoking allowed in the historic building.
Given the fact that this building was used for strategic meetings regarding the battle and that every Confederate general involved in the battle was present at one time or another inside the building, the possibility certainly exists that at least one of those generals smoked a cigar.
At 4:30 p.m., I went into the breakfast room to push in all the chairs at the tables that were pulled out from the day shift's vacuuming and place the bowls of sugar on the five tables back into the center of the tables that may have been moved by the guests having their morning coffee.
After I had straightened all the chairs and centered all the sugar bowls on the tables, I walked to the back of the breakfast room to check on various items to see if they needed replenishing. Only one minute had passed, when I heard the front lobby door open and turned to see if my co-worker needed any assistance.
I immediately noticed that three of the chairs in the breakfast room, which I had just pushed flush against the tables, had been pulled out about two feet. I also noted that all of the sugar bowls, which I had just centered on the five tables, had been moved to the very edge of the tables. I walked back into the lobby and saw that my co-worker was well into the process of checking in a guest, with another guest standing on the other side of the lobby, well away from the breakfast room, waiting to be checked in.
The last time the sugar bowls "walked" across the tables was approximately one year ago, and it happened in the middle of the night when I was there alone.
At 5:10 p.m., I was sitting at the desk inside the inner office working on some paperwork. Sitting next to the desk is a two-drawer file cabinet. Laying on top of the cabinet is the machine that makes all the room keys, the master key to program the machine, along with a box of unprogrammed keys. The master key is secured to the machine with a one foot length of plastic cord.
As I was sitting at the aforementioned desk, facing the cabinet, watching the news on t.v., a movement caught my eye. I watched the master key, which at the time was located in the very middle of the file cabinet with the cord right next to it, move across the cabinet to the edge and fall off. To say I was stunned would be an understatement. It did not move quickly, but appeared to be deliberately pushed across.
I retrieved the key and tried repeatedly to recreate what I just witnessed. Nothing I did, including hanging part of the cord off the side, made it move from the center of the cabinet. Cool!
When I arrive at work, I always park in front of General Lee's Headquarters, which is located on the hotel property. Yes, this was General Robert E. Lee's headquarters during the three days of the Battle of Gettysburg.
After parking my car, I opened my door and the very strong, pungent smell of cigar smoke hit me hard in the face. I immediately looked around to see if there was a visitor for the museum that is located in the headquarters building with a cigar. No one was in the area. As I walked up to the main building, which is several hundred yards away, the very strong odor seemed to accompany me the entire way.
It wasn't until I opened the lobby door and stepped into the building that it dissipated. I hesitated to even make note of this, except that this is the same reception I have been receiving the last three days that I have worked at exactly the same time I arrive. My arrival times on those three days were always different. I always check the area for cigar-smoking visitors and never see anyone. I will make a notice of the frequency of any future occurrences.
We continually hear many comments from guests who stay in the suite that is located on the top floor of the building where General Robert E. Lee made his headquarters. One comment that is repeated more than any other is the smell of cigar smoke in the suite. There is no smoking allowed in the historic building.
Given the fact that this building was used for strategic meetings regarding the battle and that every Confederate general involved in the battle was present at one time or another inside the building, the possibility certainly exists that at least one of those generals smoked a cigar.
At 4:30 p.m., I went into the breakfast room to push in all the chairs at the tables that were pulled out from the day shift's vacuuming and place the bowls of sugar on the five tables back into the center of the tables that may have been moved by the guests having their morning coffee.
After I had straightened all the chairs and centered all the sugar bowls on the tables, I walked to the back of the breakfast room to check on various items to see if they needed replenishing. Only one minute had passed, when I heard the front lobby door open and turned to see if my co-worker needed any assistance.
I immediately noticed that three of the chairs in the breakfast room, which I had just pushed flush against the tables, had been pulled out about two feet. I also noted that all of the sugar bowls, which I had just centered on the five tables, had been moved to the very edge of the tables. I walked back into the lobby and saw that my co-worker was well into the process of checking in a guest, with another guest standing on the other side of the lobby, well away from the breakfast room, waiting to be checked in.
The last time the sugar bowls "walked" across the tables was approximately one year ago, and it happened in the middle of the night when I was there alone.
At 5:10 p.m., I was sitting at the desk inside the inner office working on some paperwork. Sitting next to the desk is a two-drawer file cabinet. Laying on top of the cabinet is the machine that makes all the room keys, the master key to program the machine, along with a box of unprogrammed keys. The master key is secured to the machine with a one foot length of plastic cord.
As I was sitting at the aforementioned desk, facing the cabinet, watching the news on t.v., a movement caught my eye. I watched the master key, which at the time was located in the very middle of the file cabinet with the cord right next to it, move across the cabinet to the edge and fall off. To say I was stunned would be an understatement. It did not move quickly, but appeared to be deliberately pushed across.
I retrieved the key and tried repeatedly to recreate what I just witnessed. Nothing I did, including hanging part of the cord off the side, made it move from the center of the cabinet. Cool!
More Tricks From Our Ghostly Friends
Saturday, August 23, 2008, 12:32 a.m.
I was sitting in the inner office finishing up the midnight audit when I heard the front lobby door open. Given the fact that I had locked it at midnight, I became alarmed. I immediately jumped up, walked the three steps that would bring me to the lobby and saw that the door was closed.
The front lobby door has a pressure bar across the top, and when opened, it takes some time to close by itself. After checking the lobby, breakfast area and the door itself (it was still locked), I returned to the inner office to finish the audit.
If you have read my posts previous to this one, you will know that this is a frequent occurrence at the hotel. Thanks boys! I was beginning to get tired, but I had no trouble staying awake the rest of the night.
I was sitting in the inner office finishing up the midnight audit when I heard the front lobby door open. Given the fact that I had locked it at midnight, I became alarmed. I immediately jumped up, walked the three steps that would bring me to the lobby and saw that the door was closed.
The front lobby door has a pressure bar across the top, and when opened, it takes some time to close by itself. After checking the lobby, breakfast area and the door itself (it was still locked), I returned to the inner office to finish the audit.
If you have read my posts previous to this one, you will know that this is a frequent occurrence at the hotel. Thanks boys! I was beginning to get tired, but I had no trouble staying awake the rest of the night.
Ghosts Opening Doors
Friday, August 15, 2008, 5:07 p.m.
I arrived at 4:00 p.m. to begin my 16-hour shift and was busy running between the front lobby desk and the laundry room getting the non-perishable items together for breakfast in the morning. My co-worker was covering the front desk and the phones so that I could accomplish all the tasks that needed to be done in advance. She is a sweet, older lady who sits on a high stool behind the lobby counter.
One of the things I always do when I first arrive is to be sure that the attic door, which is located in the middle, breakfast prep room, is closed to keep the heat out of the office that drifts down from the attic.
On one of my many trips through the middle, breakfast prep room, I noticed that the attic door was wide open after I had closed it upon my arrival at 4:00 p.m. I pulled it closed tight again, making certain I heard the "click."
Five minutes later, I found the attic door wide open again and followed the above-mentioned procedure once again. I questioned my co-worker, asking her if she had opened the attic door for any reason. She told me that she never left her chair or the front lobby.
Twenty minutes later, I noticed the attic door was wide open again. Once again, I questioned my co-worker and received the same response. Once again, I made certain the door was closed tight and heard that "click" indicating that the door was closed completely. It was at this point that I realized that I forgot to say "Hi" to our Confederate soldier spirit who walks around in the attic.
So, I laughed, said my hellos, and continued about my duties. There were no more incidents with the attic door that night.
At 7:46 p.m., I was finishing up some early paperwork in the inner office and stepped into the lobby to see how my co-worker was doing before she left for the evening. I immediately noticed that something did not appear right. The sun was just beginning to set and it was still light outside. It was then I noticed that the breakfast room, to the left of the lobby, was dark.
I walked into the breakfast room and saw that all the overhead lights were turned off. I asked my co-worker if she turned them off and she said, "No, why would I do that?" I realized then that I would have seen her turn them off because the switch for the breakfast room overhead lights is located in the inner office where I was previously working. I turned the lights back on.
As a side note, the elderly lady who works with me does not believe in anything paranormal. She refuses to discuss it with any guests who come in asking questions. The few times I have mentioned things to her, or when things actually occur in her presence, she raises her eyebrow, shakes her head and totally shuts down.
I arrived at 4:00 p.m. to begin my 16-hour shift and was busy running between the front lobby desk and the laundry room getting the non-perishable items together for breakfast in the morning. My co-worker was covering the front desk and the phones so that I could accomplish all the tasks that needed to be done in advance. She is a sweet, older lady who sits on a high stool behind the lobby counter.
One of the things I always do when I first arrive is to be sure that the attic door, which is located in the middle, breakfast prep room, is closed to keep the heat out of the office that drifts down from the attic.
On one of my many trips through the middle, breakfast prep room, I noticed that the attic door was wide open after I had closed it upon my arrival at 4:00 p.m. I pulled it closed tight again, making certain I heard the "click."
Five minutes later, I found the attic door wide open again and followed the above-mentioned procedure once again. I questioned my co-worker, asking her if she had opened the attic door for any reason. She told me that she never left her chair or the front lobby.
Twenty minutes later, I noticed the attic door was wide open again. Once again, I questioned my co-worker and received the same response. Once again, I made certain the door was closed tight and heard that "click" indicating that the door was closed completely. It was at this point that I realized that I forgot to say "Hi" to our Confederate soldier spirit who walks around in the attic.
So, I laughed, said my hellos, and continued about my duties. There were no more incidents with the attic door that night.
At 7:46 p.m., I was finishing up some early paperwork in the inner office and stepped into the lobby to see how my co-worker was doing before she left for the evening. I immediately noticed that something did not appear right. The sun was just beginning to set and it was still light outside. It was then I noticed that the breakfast room, to the left of the lobby, was dark.
I walked into the breakfast room and saw that all the overhead lights were turned off. I asked my co-worker if she turned them off and she said, "No, why would I do that?" I realized then that I would have seen her turn them off because the switch for the breakfast room overhead lights is located in the inner office where I was previously working. I turned the lights back on.
As a side note, the elderly lady who works with me does not believe in anything paranormal. She refuses to discuss it with any guests who come in asking questions. The few times I have mentioned things to her, or when things actually occur in her presence, she raises her eyebrow, shakes her head and totally shuts down.
Phantom Sounds!
Saturday, August 9, 2008, 12:46 a.m.
I was sitting in the inner office at the day manager's desk finishing up the midnight audit when I heard the front door of the lobby open. Given the fact that I had locked that door at midnight, I was up out of my chair like a shot. In two seconds, I was standing at the front counter looking at a closed, locked front door.
I immediately stepped to my left toward the breakfast room to examine the entire lobby and breakfast area. As soon as I stepped to the end of the counter, I heard the lobby floor in front of me creaking as if someone was walking across the floor. I followed the progress of the sound with my eyes until it stopped after about five "steps."
As I was standing there staring at the floor, I heard a snapping sound coming from the direction of the breakfast room on my immediate left. It sounded like someone had snapped their fingers. My head spun around and I looked into the breakfast room. There was no one there.
I stood there for several minutes waiting for that proverbial "other shoe to fall," but nothing happened. I then went back into the inner office to finish the audit.
At 8:00 p.m. the evening before, I had emptied the garbage bin in the middle, breakfast prep room, placed a fresh bag in it, and positioned it close to where I would be working in the morning next to the counter.
As I walked up to the counter at 5:45 a.m. to begin getting breakfast together, I noticed that the bin had been moved four feet to my left from the original position where I had placed it on the previous evening. This area is within my view the entire night while I sit and read. I never heard it move and didn't notice that it had moved during my many trips through that room during the night.
I was sitting in the inner office at the day manager's desk finishing up the midnight audit when I heard the front door of the lobby open. Given the fact that I had locked that door at midnight, I was up out of my chair like a shot. In two seconds, I was standing at the front counter looking at a closed, locked front door.
I immediately stepped to my left toward the breakfast room to examine the entire lobby and breakfast area. As soon as I stepped to the end of the counter, I heard the lobby floor in front of me creaking as if someone was walking across the floor. I followed the progress of the sound with my eyes until it stopped after about five "steps."
As I was standing there staring at the floor, I heard a snapping sound coming from the direction of the breakfast room on my immediate left. It sounded like someone had snapped their fingers. My head spun around and I looked into the breakfast room. There was no one there.
I stood there for several minutes waiting for that proverbial "other shoe to fall," but nothing happened. I then went back into the inner office to finish the audit.
At 8:00 p.m. the evening before, I had emptied the garbage bin in the middle, breakfast prep room, placed a fresh bag in it, and positioned it close to where I would be working in the morning next to the counter.
As I walked up to the counter at 5:45 a.m. to begin getting breakfast together, I noticed that the bin had been moved four feet to my left from the original position where I had placed it on the previous evening. This area is within my view the entire night while I sit and read. I never heard it move and didn't notice that it had moved during my many trips through that room during the night.
Ghosts Turning on Lights and Unlocking Doors!
Monday, August 4, 2008, 1:08 a.m.
The following was relayed to me, in person, by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was in the process of walking through the breakfast prep room when she noticed that the light in the laundry room was turned on. She told me that she had purposely turned it off one-half hour before.
The lobby at the hotel is always closed and locked at midnight. However, a night auditor is always on duty from midnight until 7:00 a.m., when we unlocked the lobby door, in case a guest requires assistance, in case of an emergency, for early check outs and/or late check ins.
At 5:45 a.m., Courtney went to retrieve the newspapers that are dropped off each morning outside the front door. She discovered, much to her shock, that the front door was unlocked.
At 6:30 a.m., Courtney went into the laundry room where we have large freezers and refrigerators to pick up some items to set out for breakfast. On her way back from one of the freezers, she happened to glance over and saw that the backdoor was unlocked. She had locked it at 7:10 p.m. on the previous evening.
Courtney stopped by the hotel on an evening when I was working to tell me about these occurrences because she was so concerned and quite unnerved. I walked with Courtney to each location in the building where we have doors which lead to the outside and kindly asked the soldier spirits NOT to unlock anymore doors at night. I explained to them that we need to be safe and we are counting on them to protect us. I told Courtney to do this each evening when she is locking the doors. Hopefully, we will have no more incidents of this nature!
The following was relayed to me, in person, by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was in the process of walking through the breakfast prep room when she noticed that the light in the laundry room was turned on. She told me that she had purposely turned it off one-half hour before.
The lobby at the hotel is always closed and locked at midnight. However, a night auditor is always on duty from midnight until 7:00 a.m., when we unlocked the lobby door, in case a guest requires assistance, in case of an emergency, for early check outs and/or late check ins.
At 5:45 a.m., Courtney went to retrieve the newspapers that are dropped off each morning outside the front door. She discovered, much to her shock, that the front door was unlocked.
At 6:30 a.m., Courtney went into the laundry room where we have large freezers and refrigerators to pick up some items to set out for breakfast. On her way back from one of the freezers, she happened to glance over and saw that the backdoor was unlocked. She had locked it at 7:10 p.m. on the previous evening.
Courtney stopped by the hotel on an evening when I was working to tell me about these occurrences because she was so concerned and quite unnerved. I walked with Courtney to each location in the building where we have doors which lead to the outside and kindly asked the soldier spirits NOT to unlock anymore doors at night. I explained to them that we need to be safe and we are counting on them to protect us. I told Courtney to do this each evening when she is locking the doors. Hopefully, we will have no more incidents of this nature!
Ghosts Move 100 Pound Laundry Carts!
Monday, July 28, 2008, 4:35 p.m.
I was busy re-stocking some non-perishable items that I needed for the next morning's breakfast setup. This entails spending time in the laundry room where the deep freezer and refrigerators are located and carrying various items to the middle breakfast prep room. I usually am interrupted several times during this routine, running to the front desk lobby area to assist my co-worker with guests checking in, answering the phone or responding to those guests who require immediate attention. In other words, it can be pretty hectic during this peak check-in time. My co-worker remains at all times at the lobby desk, covering it while I'm completing these various tasks.
When I first arrive at the beginning of my 16-hour shift at 4:00 p.m., I always move the laundry carts so they will not impede my movements when I have to get in and out of the area quickly to handle any of the above tasks. On one of my trips back into the laundry room, I immediately spotted one of the 100-lb. laundry carts that I had moved out of my path only minutes before. The cart had been moved back to its original location, directly impeding my walkway.
I proceeded to move it again to another location out of my way. Several minutes later, I was back in the laundry room and, lo and behold, the cart was now moved directly in front of one of the refrigerators where I was headed. Once again, I moved the cart to an entirely different location.
Five minutes later, I was back in the laundry room. Once again, the 100 lb. laundry cart had "moved," only this time it had moved to an area that required it to travel around a large table, but still placed directly in my path. Okay, boys, I don't have time for this! Please knock it off. The carts did not move again that afternoon.
At 10:03 p.m., I had stepped out to the front desk to answer the phone. As I was in the process of taking a reservation, I looked up and noticed that the lights in the portico, which illuminate the outside of the building entrance, were turned off. The last time I had been at the front desk as 9:17 p.m. to check in a guest. At that time, I heard a car pulling up and was able to clearly distinguish the people getting out of their car. I would not have been able to do that if the lights were not on.
After I finished taking the reservation, I went back into the inner office to check the panel on the wall where all the light switches for the building are located. The switch for the portico lights was in the "off" position. I turned it back on, hearing that very loud click indicating that it was back in the "on" position. The soldier spirits have done this before, but I usually hear that loud click when they flip the switch. On this occasion, however, I didn't hear a thing.
There were no more incidents with the lights the rest of the night.
I was busy re-stocking some non-perishable items that I needed for the next morning's breakfast setup. This entails spending time in the laundry room where the deep freezer and refrigerators are located and carrying various items to the middle breakfast prep room. I usually am interrupted several times during this routine, running to the front desk lobby area to assist my co-worker with guests checking in, answering the phone or responding to those guests who require immediate attention. In other words, it can be pretty hectic during this peak check-in time. My co-worker remains at all times at the lobby desk, covering it while I'm completing these various tasks.
When I first arrive at the beginning of my 16-hour shift at 4:00 p.m., I always move the laundry carts so they will not impede my movements when I have to get in and out of the area quickly to handle any of the above tasks. On one of my trips back into the laundry room, I immediately spotted one of the 100-lb. laundry carts that I had moved out of my path only minutes before. The cart had been moved back to its original location, directly impeding my walkway.
I proceeded to move it again to another location out of my way. Several minutes later, I was back in the laundry room and, lo and behold, the cart was now moved directly in front of one of the refrigerators where I was headed. Once again, I moved the cart to an entirely different location.
Five minutes later, I was back in the laundry room. Once again, the 100 lb. laundry cart had "moved," only this time it had moved to an area that required it to travel around a large table, but still placed directly in my path. Okay, boys, I don't have time for this! Please knock it off. The carts did not move again that afternoon.
At 10:03 p.m., I had stepped out to the front desk to answer the phone. As I was in the process of taking a reservation, I looked up and noticed that the lights in the portico, which illuminate the outside of the building entrance, were turned off. The last time I had been at the front desk as 9:17 p.m. to check in a guest. At that time, I heard a car pulling up and was able to clearly distinguish the people getting out of their car. I would not have been able to do that if the lights were not on.
After I finished taking the reservation, I went back into the inner office to check the panel on the wall where all the light switches for the building are located. The switch for the portico lights was in the "off" position. I turned it back on, hearing that very loud click indicating that it was back in the "on" position. The soldier spirits have done this before, but I usually hear that loud click when they flip the switch. On this occasion, however, I didn't hear a thing.
There were no more incidents with the lights the rest of the night.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Camera Battery Draining Episode
Friday, July 18, 2008, 8:30 p.m.
I decided to bring my new camera into work with me to take some pictures of some of the active areas around the lobby building to see if anything would show up in a photograph. I already have around 100,000 photographs that I have taken on the battlefield where the soldier spirits have gifted me with their images, so I'm pretty familiar with the process.
Most of the guests were already checked in and my co-worker had already left for the day, so I thought I would take a few quick shots around the inside of the building. I snapped two quick pictures of the breakfast area, where cabinets open on their own, gunshots are heard, chairs are moved, etc., and decided to take some pictures of the inner office.
I was at the doorway to the office, walking in and looking down at my camera when it suddenly went dead. I had placed a fully-charged battery in the camera before I arrived at work. However, this has happened to me two previous times while taking photographs on the Gettysburg battlefield in an area notorious for cameras having their batteries mysteriously drained.
Of course, suspecting the battery-draining stunt was perpetrated by the soldier spirits at the hotel, I expected some fun activity that night. They were very quiet. However, I learned that we had a paranormal group staying in one of the historic suites. Maybe the boys used their new found energy to play with them!
Since I have experienced this battery-draining phenomenon before, I didn't panic when it first occurred. However, just to be certain it wasn't something to do with the camera itself, when I arrived home in the morning, I re-charged the battery. Sure enough, after re-charging the battery and taking some photographs around my house, it worked perfectly. Those boys!
I have taken my camera to work many times and this had never happened before. And, as I mentioned above, it had only happened to me on the Gettysburg battlefield known for this phenomenon to be reported. As a side note, the area on the battlefield where this does occur has been researched by historians. The results of that intensive research of the local area revealed that an American Indian village was once located on that land.
I decided to bring my new camera into work with me to take some pictures of some of the active areas around the lobby building to see if anything would show up in a photograph. I already have around 100,000 photographs that I have taken on the battlefield where the soldier spirits have gifted me with their images, so I'm pretty familiar with the process.
Most of the guests were already checked in and my co-worker had already left for the day, so I thought I would take a few quick shots around the inside of the building. I snapped two quick pictures of the breakfast area, where cabinets open on their own, gunshots are heard, chairs are moved, etc., and decided to take some pictures of the inner office.
I was at the doorway to the office, walking in and looking down at my camera when it suddenly went dead. I had placed a fully-charged battery in the camera before I arrived at work. However, this has happened to me two previous times while taking photographs on the Gettysburg battlefield in an area notorious for cameras having their batteries mysteriously drained.
Of course, suspecting the battery-draining stunt was perpetrated by the soldier spirits at the hotel, I expected some fun activity that night. They were very quiet. However, I learned that we had a paranormal group staying in one of the historic suites. Maybe the boys used their new found energy to play with them!
Since I have experienced this battery-draining phenomenon before, I didn't panic when it first occurred. However, just to be certain it wasn't something to do with the camera itself, when I arrived home in the morning, I re-charged the battery. Sure enough, after re-charging the battery and taking some photographs around my house, it worked perfectly. Those boys!
I have taken my camera to work many times and this had never happened before. And, as I mentioned above, it had only happened to me on the Gettysburg battlefield known for this phenomenon to be reported. As a side note, the area on the battlefield where this does occur has been researched by historians. The results of that intensive research of the local area revealed that an American Indian village was once located on that land.
Civil War Spirits Playing Tricks with Radio
Tuesday, July 15, 2008, 12:05 a.m.
I was closing the lobby and preparing to start the hotel audit when I received a frantic call from one of the guests. The call came from a room located in the lower section of the hotel which sits adjacent to our fitness center (the room shares a common wall).
The guest relayed to me that they had been in their room since early evening, but they had suddenly started hearing loud talking and music being played in the fitness room. She asked me if we allowed guests to use the fitness center after midnight and I quickly replied that we did not. I asked her if her husband was dressed and asked if he would meet me outside their room to check on it. She readily agreed. I ran to retrieve the key to the fitness center and proceeded down to the location.
When I arrived, they were both waiting outside their room for me. I unlocked the door to the fitness center and turned on the lights. The gentleman accompanied me inside and we both saw that there was no one there. I immediately noticed that there was a plug-in radio sitting on a window sill. The radio was turned on and it was, indeed, playing very loud music. The gentleman and I both examined the radio and I proceeded to turn it off. The gentleman wanted to take another look at the radio and I handed it to him. He examined it, saw that the button was in the "off" position and said: "That should do it." I then turned off the lights and locked the door.
I stood outside for a few minutes chatting with the couple. While we were talking, we all heard the music start to play once again. Incredulously, I asked: "Do you hear that?" We all looked at the door and could not believe it. I unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and the gentleman and I, once again, stepped inside to investigate the disturbance. I immediately walked over to the radio, picked it up and saw that the button was in the "off" position, and yet the radio continued to play loudly. I handed the radio to the gentleman and he was shocked. That's it! I'm pulling the plug. Once again, I turned off the lights and locked up the fitness center.
We all decided to stand outside and see just what, if anything, would happen next. Much to everyone's shock, we all heard that radio playing loud music once again. Once again, I unlocked the door, turned on the lights and walked over to the unplugged radio. This time, however, as soon as we approached the radio, the music stopped playing. Okay, you boys, you are having too much fun tonight! I have work to do and these people would like to get some sleep! I grabbed the offending radio, turned off the lights and locked the fitness center door. The guests, thankfully, we thrilled to have such a story to tell their friends about their visit to our hotel and I bid them a cheerful goodnight.
I took the radio back to the office with me. It never made another peep that night.
When I was relating this incident to one of the housekeepers in the morning, she laughed and told me that the same thing happens to the radio that is kept in the laundry room. The housekeeper told me that it is constantly turning itself on, blasting out music, and/or turning itself off. She said that it freaks out the laundry room staff. I told her: "Honey, they should be here in the dead of night like I am. That's nothing!"
I was closing the lobby and preparing to start the hotel audit when I received a frantic call from one of the guests. The call came from a room located in the lower section of the hotel which sits adjacent to our fitness center (the room shares a common wall).
The guest relayed to me that they had been in their room since early evening, but they had suddenly started hearing loud talking and music being played in the fitness room. She asked me if we allowed guests to use the fitness center after midnight and I quickly replied that we did not. I asked her if her husband was dressed and asked if he would meet me outside their room to check on it. She readily agreed. I ran to retrieve the key to the fitness center and proceeded down to the location.
When I arrived, they were both waiting outside their room for me. I unlocked the door to the fitness center and turned on the lights. The gentleman accompanied me inside and we both saw that there was no one there. I immediately noticed that there was a plug-in radio sitting on a window sill. The radio was turned on and it was, indeed, playing very loud music. The gentleman and I both examined the radio and I proceeded to turn it off. The gentleman wanted to take another look at the radio and I handed it to him. He examined it, saw that the button was in the "off" position and said: "That should do it." I then turned off the lights and locked the door.
I stood outside for a few minutes chatting with the couple. While we were talking, we all heard the music start to play once again. Incredulously, I asked: "Do you hear that?" We all looked at the door and could not believe it. I unlocked the door, turned on the lights, and the gentleman and I, once again, stepped inside to investigate the disturbance. I immediately walked over to the radio, picked it up and saw that the button was in the "off" position, and yet the radio continued to play loudly. I handed the radio to the gentleman and he was shocked. That's it! I'm pulling the plug. Once again, I turned off the lights and locked up the fitness center.
We all decided to stand outside and see just what, if anything, would happen next. Much to everyone's shock, we all heard that radio playing loud music once again. Once again, I unlocked the door, turned on the lights and walked over to the unplugged radio. This time, however, as soon as we approached the radio, the music stopped playing. Okay, you boys, you are having too much fun tonight! I have work to do and these people would like to get some sleep! I grabbed the offending radio, turned off the lights and locked the fitness center door. The guests, thankfully, we thrilled to have such a story to tell their friends about their visit to our hotel and I bid them a cheerful goodnight.
I took the radio back to the office with me. It never made another peep that night.
When I was relating this incident to one of the housekeepers in the morning, she laughed and told me that the same thing happens to the radio that is kept in the laundry room. The housekeeper told me that it is constantly turning itself on, blasting out music, and/or turning itself off. She said that it freaks out the laundry room staff. I told her: "Honey, they should be here in the dead of night like I am. That's nothing!"
Confederate Soldier in the Attic
Monday, July 14, 2008, 12:06 a.m.
The following was reported to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was in the laundry room attending to some business and heard our Confederate soldier spirit walking around in the attic immediately above her head. She followed his progress across the ceiling until it stopped. Courtney then went back to work.
The following was reported to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was in the laundry room attending to some business and heard our Confederate soldier spirit walking around in the attic immediately above her head. She followed his progress across the ceiling until it stopped. Courtney then went back to work.
Phantom Cannon Fire and Doors Opening
Sunday, July 13, 2008, 9:50 p.m.
The following events were reported to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was standing behind the counter in the lobby working on some reports on the computer. She heard the sound of the front door to the lobby opening and looked up to see who was coming in. There was no one standing in the doorway of the wide-open door.
Note: The door to the lobby is a solid, heavy door that has an apparatus at the top which automatically closes the door as soon as it opens. I often watch as our guests struggle to open the door because it is that heavy. Also, even in the dead of winter, with the winds coming through from the open battlefield, the front door is heavy enough not to open.
In the next few seconds, Courtney heard what she described as one very loud cannon blast. She ran to the front door and stepped out to see if it was raining or if there was any lightening or thunder. The night was clear with brilliant stars in the sky.
On the afternoon of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, six artillery pieces from Battery "B" of the 4th U.S. Artillery (cannon), commanded by Lieut. James Stewart, were heavily engaged against Confederate infantry in the defense of their position on Seminary Ridge. The hotel sits on Seminary Ridge and three of those artillery pieces sat where the west wing of our hotel sits today.
Just across the road (Rt. 30) from the hotel, also sat Lieut. Benjamin W. Wilber's section of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (cannon). Just south of these guns were the six Napoleons (cannon) of Captain Greenlief T. Stevens' Fifth Maine Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Also, interspersed were four other cannon of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, under the command of George Breck.
All in all, there were 21 cannon pieces lined up across the road from the hotel and on the hotel grounds. Is it any wonder we hear phantom cannon fire?
Several minutes after this event, Courtney finished running her reports and returned to the inner office. She looked over at the leather recliner which is located there and watched as an impression was being made in the recliner. Courtney said it looked as if someone was sitting down on the recliner. (I have witnessed this myself on numerous occasions.) She then sat down at the desk and finished making notations on her reports.
The following events were reported to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was standing behind the counter in the lobby working on some reports on the computer. She heard the sound of the front door to the lobby opening and looked up to see who was coming in. There was no one standing in the doorway of the wide-open door.
Note: The door to the lobby is a solid, heavy door that has an apparatus at the top which automatically closes the door as soon as it opens. I often watch as our guests struggle to open the door because it is that heavy. Also, even in the dead of winter, with the winds coming through from the open battlefield, the front door is heavy enough not to open.
In the next few seconds, Courtney heard what she described as one very loud cannon blast. She ran to the front door and stepped out to see if it was raining or if there was any lightening or thunder. The night was clear with brilliant stars in the sky.
On the afternoon of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, six artillery pieces from Battery "B" of the 4th U.S. Artillery (cannon), commanded by Lieut. James Stewart, were heavily engaged against Confederate infantry in the defense of their position on Seminary Ridge. The hotel sits on Seminary Ridge and three of those artillery pieces sat where the west wing of our hotel sits today.
Just across the road (Rt. 30) from the hotel, also sat Lieut. Benjamin W. Wilber's section of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (cannon). Just south of these guns were the six Napoleons (cannon) of Captain Greenlief T. Stevens' Fifth Maine Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Also, interspersed were four other cannon of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, under the command of George Breck.
All in all, there were 21 cannon pieces lined up across the road from the hotel and on the hotel grounds. Is it any wonder we hear phantom cannon fire?
Several minutes after this event, Courtney finished running her reports and returned to the inner office. She looked over at the leather recliner which is located there and watched as an impression was being made in the recliner. Courtney said it looked as if someone was sitting down on the recliner. (I have witnessed this myself on numerous occasions.) She then sat down at the desk and finished making notations on her reports.
Moving Objects, Cold Spots and Ectoplasm!
Monday, July 7, 2008, 5:00 a.m.
The following events were described to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was sitting in the inner office when she heard what she described as the sound of a deck of cards being shuffled. She walked over to the manager's desk and spotted the employees' time cards sitting in a stack. Courtney was startled to notice, however, that each individual time card was bent in some fashion or another. (If you have ever seen a time card, you will know that they are constructed of sturdy cardboard.)
Courtney then went back into the laundry room. When she opened the door into the laundry room, she noticed that all the lights were turned on. She reported to me that she always turns the lights off in the laundry room when she first starts her 16-hour shift at 4:00 p.m.
Courtney also noticed that the housekeepers' supply carts, which weight at least 100 pounds, were all moved from the original locations which they were in at the start of her shift and placed at odd angles around the room.
Courtney then went into the breakfast room to get a cup of coffee. There is a new juice machine located there which has a light that is turned on at the beginning of the breakfast service and then turned off at its completion. When Courtney stepped into the breakfast room, which is kept dark until we open for breakfast, she saw that the light on the new juice machine was turned on. She was very surprised to see that light on now when it had not been on during any of her frequent trips during the night for coffee. As Courtney stated it: "You can't miss when that light is on because it illuminates the entire breakfast room." She then turned the light off and returned to the inner office.
It was at this point that Courtney noticed that it was extremely cold in the area. She walked into the lobby and looked over at the four-foot tall painting of General Robert E. Lee that is hanging on a wall there. She told me that it appeared to be very blurry. She then realized that she was looking at the painting through a white cloudy mist which was hanging directly in front of the portrait. Courtney said that the mist didn't remain long, but it was definitely there for several seconds before it disappeared.
It was then time to prep for breakfast and Courtney went to work.
Geez! I wish I could see that cloudy mist (ectoplasm?) in the lobby! That is the second sighting like this on the property in a week. It sure was a busy night, Courtney!
The following events were described to me by my co-worker and fellow night auditor:
Courtney was sitting in the inner office when she heard what she described as the sound of a deck of cards being shuffled. She walked over to the manager's desk and spotted the employees' time cards sitting in a stack. Courtney was startled to notice, however, that each individual time card was bent in some fashion or another. (If you have ever seen a time card, you will know that they are constructed of sturdy cardboard.)
Courtney then went back into the laundry room. When she opened the door into the laundry room, she noticed that all the lights were turned on. She reported to me that she always turns the lights off in the laundry room when she first starts her 16-hour shift at 4:00 p.m.
Courtney also noticed that the housekeepers' supply carts, which weight at least 100 pounds, were all moved from the original locations which they were in at the start of her shift and placed at odd angles around the room.
Courtney then went into the breakfast room to get a cup of coffee. There is a new juice machine located there which has a light that is turned on at the beginning of the breakfast service and then turned off at its completion. When Courtney stepped into the breakfast room, which is kept dark until we open for breakfast, she saw that the light on the new juice machine was turned on. She was very surprised to see that light on now when it had not been on during any of her frequent trips during the night for coffee. As Courtney stated it: "You can't miss when that light is on because it illuminates the entire breakfast room." She then turned the light off and returned to the inner office.
It was at this point that Courtney noticed that it was extremely cold in the area. She walked into the lobby and looked over at the four-foot tall painting of General Robert E. Lee that is hanging on a wall there. She told me that it appeared to be very blurry. She then realized that she was looking at the painting through a white cloudy mist which was hanging directly in front of the portrait. Courtney said that the mist didn't remain long, but it was definitely there for several seconds before it disappeared.
It was then time to prep for breakfast and Courtney went to work.
Geez! I wish I could see that cloudy mist (ectoplasm?) in the lobby! That is the second sighting like this on the property in a week. It sure was a busy night, Courtney!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Phantom Campfires
Saturday, July 5, 2008, 2:30 a.m. - Just off the private, employee-only, exit of the lobby, there is a covered breezeway approximately 30 feet in length that runs between the lobby building and the north wing of the hotel.
It was very warm in the lobby building, despite the air conditioning, and I decided to step outside to test the air temperature. As soon as I stepped outside into the breezeway, a strong aroma hit me. It smelled exactly like the smoke that comes from a campfire. It was overpowering.
I walked up and down the length of the breezeway and back around to the front of the hotel trying to locate the source of the strong odor. The aroma totally permeated the entire area. I looked out at the battlefield expecting to see campfires, but there was nothing at all glowing to indicate a fire of some kind. There wasn't a breeze to be found. The aroma remained for about five minutes and then completely disappeared without a trace.
I have never smelled this distinct aroma in this particular area before this night. I began to think there might be a campfire somewhere close to us, but there are no campgrounds anywhere near the hotel. There have been, however, many reports of this occurring on the battlefield itself.
Considering the fact that we have what was General Robert E. Lee's Headquarters on our property, and the fact that the General's Headquarters was surrounded by troops, day and night, during those three days in 1863, I wasn't too surprised that I should smell what I was thinking of as "phantom campfire smoke."
It was very warm in the lobby building, despite the air conditioning, and I decided to step outside to test the air temperature. As soon as I stepped outside into the breezeway, a strong aroma hit me. It smelled exactly like the smoke that comes from a campfire. It was overpowering.
I walked up and down the length of the breezeway and back around to the front of the hotel trying to locate the source of the strong odor. The aroma totally permeated the entire area. I looked out at the battlefield expecting to see campfires, but there was nothing at all glowing to indicate a fire of some kind. There wasn't a breeze to be found. The aroma remained for about five minutes and then completely disappeared without a trace.
I have never smelled this distinct aroma in this particular area before this night. I began to think there might be a campfire somewhere close to us, but there are no campgrounds anywhere near the hotel. There have been, however, many reports of this occurring on the battlefield itself.
Considering the fact that we have what was General Robert E. Lee's Headquarters on our property, and the fact that the General's Headquarters was surrounded by troops, day and night, during those three days in 1863, I wasn't too surprised that I should smell what I was thinking of as "phantom campfire smoke."
Helpful Ghosts
Friday, July 4, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
I forgot to turn off the track lights in the inner office. They generate a lot of heat, and the air conditioner in the office is not the best as it is. I turned and walked over toward the panel in the wall where the switches are located for all the lights inside the lobby building.
Before I even reached the panel, I heard the switch "flip" and the overhead track lights went off. The panel door was closed at the time.
How did they know which specific switch to flip? They are amazing. Thanks boys!
Note: There were no fireworks in town tonight, much to the chagrin of our guests. No one could figure out why, as there are always fireworks on the Fourth of July in Gettysburg. Oh well.
I forgot to turn off the track lights in the inner office. They generate a lot of heat, and the air conditioner in the office is not the best as it is. I turned and walked over toward the panel in the wall where the switches are located for all the lights inside the lobby building.
Before I even reached the panel, I heard the switch "flip" and the overhead track lights went off. The panel door was closed at the time.
How did they know which specific switch to flip? They are amazing. Thanks boys!
Note: There were no fireworks in town tonight, much to the chagrin of our guests. No one could figure out why, as there are always fireworks on the Fourth of July in Gettysburg. Oh well.
Ectoplasm Witnessed by Guest
Wednesday, July 2, 2008, 8:00 a.m.
One of the front desk clerks was checking out a guest when he asked: "Is there something you neglected to tell me about the suite I stayed in last night?"
The front desk clerk, who knew nothing about what goes on in that particular suite, but was afraid to acknowledge this, responded: "Why, what happened?"
Guest: "There was an apparition that appeared in the living room of the suite last night."
Front desk clerk: "What did it look like?"
Guest: "A big white cloud."
This incident with the guest occurred on the evening of July 1st. My incident (see previous blog post) also occurred on July 1st. July 1st was the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. A great part of the fighting that took place on July 1, 1863, occurred on and around the ground where the hotel sits.
On a side note, the suite where the guest was staying has a Confederate soldier spirit who has been seen walking up and down the stairs in the suite. The guests report to us that they wake up hearing someone coming up the stairs with a heavy foot. When they go to investigate, there is no one there.
This same Confederate soldier was seen on the staircase by my friends, who often stay in that suite. I missed him, literally, by a minute because I was on my way over to visit them. Wouldn't you know it?
I'm working tomorrow, Friday, July 4th. There will be fireworks very close to the hotel. There is usually activity after the fireworks (they sound very much like cannon fire). I'll report if there is any activity.
One of the front desk clerks was checking out a guest when he asked: "Is there something you neglected to tell me about the suite I stayed in last night?"
The front desk clerk, who knew nothing about what goes on in that particular suite, but was afraid to acknowledge this, responded: "Why, what happened?"
Guest: "There was an apparition that appeared in the living room of the suite last night."
Front desk clerk: "What did it look like?"
Guest: "A big white cloud."
This incident with the guest occurred on the evening of July 1st. My incident (see previous blog post) also occurred on July 1st. July 1st was the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg. A great part of the fighting that took place on July 1, 1863, occurred on and around the ground where the hotel sits.
On a side note, the suite where the guest was staying has a Confederate soldier spirit who has been seen walking up and down the stairs in the suite. The guests report to us that they wake up hearing someone coming up the stairs with a heavy foot. When they go to investigate, there is no one there.
This same Confederate soldier was seen on the staircase by my friends, who often stay in that suite. I missed him, literally, by a minute because I was on my way over to visit them. Wouldn't you know it?
I'm working tomorrow, Friday, July 4th. There will be fireworks very close to the hotel. There is usually activity after the fireworks (they sound very much like cannon fire). I'll report if there is any activity.
Phantom Noise
Tuesday, July 1, 2008, 1:30 a.m.
There is a small area adjacent to the inner office where we prepare breakfast. If you are standing in the inner office, you can see directly into this small prep room.
I had finished the midnight audit and was reading one of my books. I heard a loud bang that sounded very close and appeared to come from the breakfast prep room on my right. From where I was sitting, I could see the entire breakfast prep area. Nothing had fallen and nothing was disturbed.
Note: Today is the 145th Anniversary of the Day One of the Battle of Gettysburg.
There is a small area adjacent to the inner office where we prepare breakfast. If you are standing in the inner office, you can see directly into this small prep room.
I had finished the midnight audit and was reading one of my books. I heard a loud bang that sounded very close and appeared to come from the breakfast prep room on my right. From where I was sitting, I could see the entire breakfast prep area. Nothing had fallen and nothing was disturbed.
Note: Today is the 145th Anniversary of the Day One of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Loud Ghostly Footsteps
Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 2:15 a.m.
As I always do after completing the audit at midnight and everything has finally settled down, I was sitting in the inner office reading. I started to hear someone walking around the breakfast room and in the lobby. It sounded like the person walking around was wearing heavy boots. This went on for many minutes.
Several times I jumped up to investigate, but the sounds stopped as soon as I walked into the lobby and then into the breakfast room.
Note: There was a marked difference in the air temperature in these two rooms from the room I was previously sitting in. It was icy cold in the lobby and the breakfast room.
As I always do after completing the audit at midnight and everything has finally settled down, I was sitting in the inner office reading. I started to hear someone walking around the breakfast room and in the lobby. It sounded like the person walking around was wearing heavy boots. This went on for many minutes.
Several times I jumped up to investigate, but the sounds stopped as soon as I walked into the lobby and then into the breakfast room.
Note: There was a marked difference in the air temperature in these two rooms from the room I was previously sitting in. It was icy cold in the lobby and the breakfast room.
Phantom Gunfire in the Breakfast Room
Tuesday, June 3, 2008, 1:38 a.m.
Once again, I was sitting in the inner office reading. It was peaceful and quiet. Suddenly that silence was broken by a very loud bang which appeared to be coming from the breakfast room which is located around the corner from the office. It sounded to me like something large and heavy had fallen.
As I stepped around the corner and entered the breakfast room, I heard a loud gunshot that reverberated throughout the breakfast room. They are shooting again in the breakfast room!
FYI, there is a large picture window in the breakfast room. From that vantage point, you can see General Lee's Headquarters just a few feet away.
In my research of the fighting which occurred on the grounds of the hotel, I learned that on the afternoon of Day One of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment made its stand against attacking Confederates directly in front of the stone building which would later become General Lee's Headquarters.
Perhaps that is why we hear gunshots in the breakfast room?
Once again, I was sitting in the inner office reading. It was peaceful and quiet. Suddenly that silence was broken by a very loud bang which appeared to be coming from the breakfast room which is located around the corner from the office. It sounded to me like something large and heavy had fallen.
As I stepped around the corner and entered the breakfast room, I heard a loud gunshot that reverberated throughout the breakfast room. They are shooting again in the breakfast room!
FYI, there is a large picture window in the breakfast room. From that vantage point, you can see General Lee's Headquarters just a few feet away.
In my research of the fighting which occurred on the grounds of the hotel, I learned that on the afternoon of Day One of the Battle of Gettysburg, the 143rd Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment made its stand against attacking Confederates directly in front of the stone building which would later become General Lee's Headquarters.
Perhaps that is why we hear gunshots in the breakfast room?
More Phantom Gunshots!
Monday, June 2, 2008, 9:30 p.m.
The hotel is located out on Day One battlefield. A brew pub restaurant, along with General Lee's Headquarters is also part of the property. The area is wide open and surrounded by battlefield. There is a major route (Rt. 30) which runs along the south side of the hotel.
I stepped outside the side, private door of the lobby into the breezeway. The breezeway is a long, covered walkway between the lobby and one of the wings of the hotel. As I was walking along checking the area, I heard a loud, single gunshot which echoed through the breezeway.
I checked the entire surrounding area, including the parking lot. There was not a single person outside or in the parking lot. No cars or trucks were passing on Rt. 30 at the time. I was happy I heard this single gunshot outside this time instead of inside the breakfast room where I usually hear it!
The hotel is located out on Day One battlefield. A brew pub restaurant, along with General Lee's Headquarters is also part of the property. The area is wide open and surrounded by battlefield. There is a major route (Rt. 30) which runs along the south side of the hotel.
I stepped outside the side, private door of the lobby into the breezeway. The breezeway is a long, covered walkway between the lobby and one of the wings of the hotel. As I was walking along checking the area, I heard a loud, single gunshot which echoed through the breezeway.
I checked the entire surrounding area, including the parking lot. There was not a single person outside or in the parking lot. No cars or trucks were passing on Rt. 30 at the time. I was happy I heard this single gunshot outside this time instead of inside the breakfast room where I usually hear it!
Ghostly Footsteps in the Attic!
Saturday, May 17, 2008, 2:38 a.m.
I was sitting quietly in the inner office reading my book. Suddenly, my heart rate sped up and I "felt" that something was going to happen. Then, loud noises started, simultaneously, from the lobby and the back laundry room. The inner office is sandwiched between the lobby and the laundry room.
Just as soon as I stood up to check both areas, I heard footsteps above my head coming from the attic. I froze and listened, watching the ceiling as I followed the footsteps as they crossed the room above me. As quickly as everything started, it stopped.
I checked the lobby and the laundry room. Nothing seemed disturbed or out of place. I was surprised, considering the loud noises coming from both locations. I expected to see something moved. But, there was not one item that I could see that was moved from its original location.
The consensus amongst the staff is that there has never been so much activity as in recent weeks. Could it be that the 145th anniversary of the battle is approaching? On the 140th anniversary, all kinds of sightings and strange events occurred at the hotel. I hope I'm working one of those three nights (July 1, 2 and 3). It should prove interesting.
I was sitting quietly in the inner office reading my book. Suddenly, my heart rate sped up and I "felt" that something was going to happen. Then, loud noises started, simultaneously, from the lobby and the back laundry room. The inner office is sandwiched between the lobby and the laundry room.
Just as soon as I stood up to check both areas, I heard footsteps above my head coming from the attic. I froze and listened, watching the ceiling as I followed the footsteps as they crossed the room above me. As quickly as everything started, it stopped.
I checked the lobby and the laundry room. Nothing seemed disturbed or out of place. I was surprised, considering the loud noises coming from both locations. I expected to see something moved. But, there was not one item that I could see that was moved from its original location.
The consensus amongst the staff is that there has never been so much activity as in recent weeks. Could it be that the 145th anniversary of the battle is approaching? On the 140th anniversary, all kinds of sightings and strange events occurred at the hotel. I hope I'm working one of those three nights (July 1, 2 and 3). It should prove interesting.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Phantom Pipe Tobacco in the Lobby!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 7:05 p.m.
Courtney and I were chatting, standing behind the counter which is located in the lobby of the hotel. Since it was May, the sun had not set yet and was shining brightly. We both noticed the all-too familiar aroma of sweet cherry pipe tobacco surrounding us. (Cherry pipe tobacco was a favorite tobacco consumed by Confederate soldiers and frequently smelled by hotel staff and guests alike.) There was no one else in the lobby building at the time and there is no smoking in the lobby.
A few moments later, Courtney and I, still standing in this same location, both heard the front door of the lobby open. The door is heavy, with a spring loader, and has a very distinctive sound when it opens. We both turned at the same time towards the sound and saw the door suspended open and that no one had come into the lobby area. Then, the door slowly closed, as it would with the spring loader. Courtney searched the entire lobby and breakfast area and, to her astonishment, found no one.
At the time of this incident, the front door to the lobby was the only unlocked access into the front of the hotel. There was no wind blowing at all and the door is too heavy for the wind to even push it a tiny bit.
After consulting with Courtney, we realized that we both have had this same experience, separately, on several occasions. We both laughed because it happens a lot, and each time we hear the door open, as good little hotel employees, we run to the front desk to attend to the guest and/or potential guest.
Since the office area, where we normally are when there are no guests at the front desk that need attention, is small, it literally takes us mere seconds to get to that front counter. The really amazing thing is that this usually occurs AFTER the front door has been locked at midnight. On this day, however, we were together and it was still broad daylight. Cool.
Courtney and I were chatting, standing behind the counter which is located in the lobby of the hotel. Since it was May, the sun had not set yet and was shining brightly. We both noticed the all-too familiar aroma of sweet cherry pipe tobacco surrounding us. (Cherry pipe tobacco was a favorite tobacco consumed by Confederate soldiers and frequently smelled by hotel staff and guests alike.) There was no one else in the lobby building at the time and there is no smoking in the lobby.
A few moments later, Courtney and I, still standing in this same location, both heard the front door of the lobby open. The door is heavy, with a spring loader, and has a very distinctive sound when it opens. We both turned at the same time towards the sound and saw the door suspended open and that no one had come into the lobby area. Then, the door slowly closed, as it would with the spring loader. Courtney searched the entire lobby and breakfast area and, to her astonishment, found no one.
At the time of this incident, the front door to the lobby was the only unlocked access into the front of the hotel. There was no wind blowing at all and the door is too heavy for the wind to even push it a tiny bit.
After consulting with Courtney, we realized that we both have had this same experience, separately, on several occasions. We both laughed because it happens a lot, and each time we hear the door open, as good little hotel employees, we run to the front desk to attend to the guest and/or potential guest.
Since the office area, where we normally are when there are no guests at the front desk that need attention, is small, it literally takes us mere seconds to get to that front counter. The really amazing thing is that this usually occurs AFTER the front door has been locked at midnight. On this day, however, we were together and it was still broad daylight. Cool.
Strange Sounds Coming From Attic
Sunday, May 11, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Courtney and I were standing in front of the attic door talking. I had opened the door and called up a greeting to our Confederate soldier who makes his presence known by walking around above us during the day and at night.
I asked if he would please let us know he was there. After a minute or two, we both heard the sounds of someone moving around in the attic. At the time, I was standing inside the door at the bottom of the stairs and Courtney was standing in front of the attic door. From my position, I heard what sounded like heavy items being moved around above me. Courtney heard creaking noises like someone walking directly above her head.
A response to a request! Awesome!
Courtney and I were standing in front of the attic door talking. I had opened the door and called up a greeting to our Confederate soldier who makes his presence known by walking around above us during the day and at night.
I asked if he would please let us know he was there. After a minute or two, we both heard the sounds of someone moving around in the attic. At the time, I was standing inside the door at the bottom of the stairs and Courtney was standing in front of the attic door. From my position, I heard what sounded like heavy items being moved around above me. Courtney heard creaking noises like someone walking directly above her head.
A response to a request! Awesome!
Someone Grabbed Me!
Thursday, April 10, 2008, 7:30 a.m.
I was standing in the doorway which leads into the room where we prepare breakfast. I was speaking to the day manager as I walked into the office. I felt a distinctive and strong "tug" on my right leg around my ankle, which literally kept me from forward movement. I kept trying to move my right leg forward and began to stumble. The day manager was watching this and asked what was happening. I looked down to see what was holding me in place. There was nothing visible. Finally, I was able to move my leg.
I asked the day manager if she saw what had just happened. She said that it looked like my leg was frozen in place. We both checked the entire area. There was nothing on the floor or anywhere near where I was standing.
When I told the day manager that it felt like someone was holding my ankle, she laughed and said: "I don't want to know about what happens in broad daylight while I'm here."
This was the second time in successive weeks that I was touched.
I was standing in the doorway which leads into the room where we prepare breakfast. I was speaking to the day manager as I walked into the office. I felt a distinctive and strong "tug" on my right leg around my ankle, which literally kept me from forward movement. I kept trying to move my right leg forward and began to stumble. The day manager was watching this and asked what was happening. I looked down to see what was holding me in place. There was nothing visible. Finally, I was able to move my leg.
I asked the day manager if she saw what had just happened. She said that it looked like my leg was frozen in place. We both checked the entire area. There was nothing on the floor or anywhere near where I was standing.
When I told the day manager that it felt like someone was holding my ankle, she laughed and said: "I don't want to know about what happens in broad daylight while I'm here."
This was the second time in successive weeks that I was touched.
Phantom Sounds of Battle!
Monday, May 5, 2008, 5:00 a.m.
Courtney, another night auditor, who is my close friend, was working this night. This is what she wrote to me in an e-mail:
"There were the sounds of battle out in front of the hotel for about five minutes. I heard gunshots, cannon firing and men screaming. The cannon fire sounded like loud thunder, but it was continuous."
Courtney, another night auditor, who is my close friend, was working this night. This is what she wrote to me in an e-mail:
"There were the sounds of battle out in front of the hotel for about five minutes. I heard gunshots, cannon firing and men screaming. The cannon fire sounded like loud thunder, but it was continuous."
More Phantom Cannon Fire!
Friday, May 2, 2008, 11:10 p.m.
I was sitting in the office watching t.v. and waiting for midnight so I could begin the audit. I heard several loud blasts, in succession, of what I perceived to be cannon fire. I actually felt the vibrations through the floor and watched the windows shake.
I immediately went to the front door and stepped outside to check the weather. Another clear night with brilliant stars met me. As I was standing outside, I heard two more very loud blasts at our location which echoed across the battlefield.
Once again, I watched the rooms to see if any guests came outside to investigate the sounds. Not one guest appeared.
On the afternoon of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, six artillery pieces from Battery "B" of the 4th U.S. Artillery (cannon), commanded by Lieut. James Stewart, were heavily engaged against Confederate infantry in the defense of their position on Seminary Ridge. The hotel sits on Seminary Ridge and three of those artillery pieces sat where the west wing of our hotel sits today.
Just across the road (Rt. 30) from the hotel, also sat Lieut. Benjamin W. Wilber's section of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (cannon). Just south of these guns were the six Napoleons (cannon) of Captain Greenlief T. Stevens' Fifth Maine Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Also, interspersed were four other cannon of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, under the command of George Breck.
All in all, there were 21 cannon pieces lined up across the road from the hotel and on the hotel grounds. Is it any wonder we hear phantom cannon fire?
I was sitting in the office watching t.v. and waiting for midnight so I could begin the audit. I heard several loud blasts, in succession, of what I perceived to be cannon fire. I actually felt the vibrations through the floor and watched the windows shake.
I immediately went to the front door and stepped outside to check the weather. Another clear night with brilliant stars met me. As I was standing outside, I heard two more very loud blasts at our location which echoed across the battlefield.
Once again, I watched the rooms to see if any guests came outside to investigate the sounds. Not one guest appeared.
On the afternoon of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, six artillery pieces from Battery "B" of the 4th U.S. Artillery (cannon), commanded by Lieut. James Stewart, were heavily engaged against Confederate infantry in the defense of their position on Seminary Ridge. The hotel sits on Seminary Ridge and three of those artillery pieces sat where the west wing of our hotel sits today.
Just across the road (Rt. 30) from the hotel, also sat Lieut. Benjamin W. Wilber's section of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (cannon). Just south of these guns were the six Napoleons (cannon) of Captain Greenlief T. Stevens' Fifth Maine Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Also, interspersed were four other cannon of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, under the command of George Breck.
All in all, there were 21 cannon pieces lined up across the road from the hotel and on the hotel grounds. Is it any wonder we hear phantom cannon fire?
Ghostly Touch!
Monday, April 28, 2008, 5:00 a.m.
I was sitting in the office reading my book passing the time until I had to start breakfast preparations at 5:45 a.m. I felt something cup the top of my head and caress me. It was more of a soothing, caring gesture and touch. I even looked up and watching my bangs press down as they would if I held my hand on them. Surprisingly, I wasn't alarmed, but was left with a peaceful feeling.
I was sitting in the office reading my book passing the time until I had to start breakfast preparations at 5:45 a.m. I felt something cup the top of my head and caress me. It was more of a soothing, caring gesture and touch. I even looked up and watching my bangs press down as they would if I held my hand on them. Surprisingly, I wasn't alarmed, but was left with a peaceful feeling.
More Phantom Cannon Fire
Saturday, April 12, 2008, 4:06 a.m.
As a student of the Battle of Gettysburg for the past fifteen years, I have participated in countless tours, viewed numerous artillery displays and personally spoken to many Licensed Battlefield Guides about the events that occurred on July 1-3, 1863.
On this date, at 4:06 a.m., I heard what I perceived to be three successive, loud cannon blasts. I immediately ran outside to the front of the hotel and looked at the sky to see if perhaps we were having a thunderstorm. The night was clear and brilliant with stars. I then looked to see if any of the guests were peeking through their windows or opening their doors to look out to see what that loud noise was. No one appeared at their doors and no curtains moved.
On the afternoon of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, six artillery pieces from Battery "B" of the 4th U.S. Artillery, commanded by Lieut. James Stewart, were heavily engaged against Confederate infantry in the defense of their position on Seminary Ridge. The hotel sits on Seminary Ridge and three of those artillery pieces sat where the west wing of our hotel sits today.
Just across the road (Rt. 30) from the hotel, also sat Lieut. Benjamin W. Wilber's section of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (cannon). Just south of these guns were the six Napoleons (cannon) of Captain Greenlief T. Stevens' Fifth Maine Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Also, interspersed were four other cannon of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, under the command of George Breck.
All in all, there were 21 cannon pieces lined up across the road from the hotel and on the hotel grounds. It is not unusual for the night staff and/or guests to hear, in the middle of the night, phantom cannon fire. Those staff working normally feel the vibrations through the floor and hear and/or watch the windows shaking at the time of the thunderous sound.
As a student of the Battle of Gettysburg for the past fifteen years, I have participated in countless tours, viewed numerous artillery displays and personally spoken to many Licensed Battlefield Guides about the events that occurred on July 1-3, 1863.
On this date, at 4:06 a.m., I heard what I perceived to be three successive, loud cannon blasts. I immediately ran outside to the front of the hotel and looked at the sky to see if perhaps we were having a thunderstorm. The night was clear and brilliant with stars. I then looked to see if any of the guests were peeking through their windows or opening their doors to look out to see what that loud noise was. No one appeared at their doors and no curtains moved.
On the afternoon of the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, six artillery pieces from Battery "B" of the 4th U.S. Artillery, commanded by Lieut. James Stewart, were heavily engaged against Confederate infantry in the defense of their position on Seminary Ridge. The hotel sits on Seminary Ridge and three of those artillery pieces sat where the west wing of our hotel sits today.
Just across the road (Rt. 30) from the hotel, also sat Lieut. Benjamin W. Wilber's section of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery (cannon). Just south of these guns were the six Napoleons (cannon) of Captain Greenlief T. Stevens' Fifth Maine Battery B, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery. Also, interspersed were four other cannon of Battery L, 1st New York Light Artillery, under the command of George Breck.
All in all, there were 21 cannon pieces lined up across the road from the hotel and on the hotel grounds. It is not unusual for the night staff and/or guests to hear, in the middle of the night, phantom cannon fire. Those staff working normally feel the vibrations through the floor and hear and/or watch the windows shaking at the time of the thunderous sound.
Our Confederate in the Attic
Thursday, April 10, 2008, 3:30 a.m.
All during my shift, I'm constantly having to go up to the attic to get some supplies. It has been drummed into me from my first day working at the hotel to shut the attic light off after I come downstairs.
I needed to go up to the attic to retrieve some coffee for the morning breakfast service. I opened the attic door and found the light on. Sheesh! It seems our spirit soldier who we have all heard walking around in the attic, day and night, is up to it again! And, I had just been speaking to the day manager the previous afternoon that I had not heard from him in a while. Got it! You are still there and making your presence known.
All during my shift, I'm constantly having to go up to the attic to get some supplies. It has been drummed into me from my first day working at the hotel to shut the attic light off after I come downstairs.
I needed to go up to the attic to retrieve some coffee for the morning breakfast service. I opened the attic door and found the light on. Sheesh! It seems our spirit soldier who we have all heard walking around in the attic, day and night, is up to it again! And, I had just been speaking to the day manager the previous afternoon that I had not heard from him in a while. Got it! You are still there and making your presence known.
Ghost Opens Locked Drawer Before My Eyes
Friday, March 28, 2008, 12:30 a.m.
All hotels have a cash drawer to accommodate guests who wish to pay for their rooms in cash. The drawers are always locked for obvious security reasons. In our case, the lock sticks and it usually takes several tries to open the drawer.
I was the last person who used the cash drawer earlier in the evening and was now alone on my shift. As I was checking in a guest who arrived after midnight, standing less than one foot away from the cash drawer, I heard a loud "pop." I turned toward the sound and then watched the drawer open. No key was used. The guest asked me what that sound was and I informed him what I had just watched happen. I thought he was going to have a heart attack!
I spoke to the day manager the next morning relaying this occurrence. We both tried everything we could, including shaking the drawer, to get it to open by itself. Nothing. She questioned the other night auditors and staff and was told that this had never happened to any of them.
I'll be watching to see if this occurs again or if this is a new source of entertainment for the solder spirits who hang out at the hotel.
All hotels have a cash drawer to accommodate guests who wish to pay for their rooms in cash. The drawers are always locked for obvious security reasons. In our case, the lock sticks and it usually takes several tries to open the drawer.
I was the last person who used the cash drawer earlier in the evening and was now alone on my shift. As I was checking in a guest who arrived after midnight, standing less than one foot away from the cash drawer, I heard a loud "pop." I turned toward the sound and then watched the drawer open. No key was used. The guest asked me what that sound was and I informed him what I had just watched happen. I thought he was going to have a heart attack!
I spoke to the day manager the next morning relaying this occurrence. We both tried everything we could, including shaking the drawer, to get it to open by itself. Nothing. She questioned the other night auditors and staff and was told that this had never happened to any of them.
I'll be watching to see if this occurs again or if this is a new source of entertainment for the solder spirits who hang out at the hotel.
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