Many haunted it ems are
said to be housed in the Jefferson Museum.
Jefferson Historical Society and Museum is
located at 223 West Austin Street Jefferson,
Texas 75657. From haunted Civil War artifacts,
Country store items, Rare ghost possessed
antique furniture, Gun and weapon collections
that some believe their owners still watch
over from beyond the grave. Some of Sam Houston's
papers are said to be haunted also and often
move on their own accord. Early farm tools
and a pioneer doctor's instruments often are
the subject of man of ghost photos. And The
Moseley art gallery is said to be one of the
most haunted hotspots in the building.
A Real Ghost
Photo of the very haunted Mirror ghost at
the Grove.
When in Jefferson, Texas
you might just be haunted by you might encounter
ghost of a Civil War soldiers. And a host
of the most diverse group of otherworldly
spooks and specters that you might ever want
to meet. Often locals will tell you that legends
and rumors of bodies buried in backyards is
the reaason so many ghosts haunt the town
today.
Onr of the most famous ghsot
to seek out amongst the many is that of Jack.
This ghosts is known to be a ladies man, and
will often pinch unsuspecting woman on the
bottom. He is known to haunt the downtown
area and is often captured in many ghost photos.
Most of the actual haunted
activity that goes on usually is associated
with physical interactions with the dead.
And the most famous of them is Diamond Bessie.
Diamond
Bessie The Jewel Of Texas
Excelsior House 211 W. Austin
Street Jefferson, Texas 75657 903-665-2513
1-800-490-7270, is a very haunted high point
of the city. Many often report over the many
years of Diamond Bessie's ghost searching
for her lost diamonds searching frantically
and rattling all the guest at the Excelsior
House.
Each year in May the Diamond
Bessie Murder Trial is performed. Many say
at this point and time her ghost is it's most
active. Some believe because her spirit can
find no peace because the living keep replaying
the last judgment of her lover (and husband),
Abraham Rothschild.
Diamond Bessie is the popular
name given to Bessie Moore, née Annie
Stone, a prostitute whose murder in the woods
outside of Jefferson, Texas propelled her
to the level of local legend. She was killed
by a single gunshot wound to the head sometime
during the early afternoon of Sunday, January
21, 1877. Her accused killer was her lover
(and husband), Abraham Rothschild, the dissolute
son of one of the most prominent society families
of the day.
Diamond Bessie Ghost Photo
sent to us by Gayle Gervais.
Bessie was born in 1854 in Syracuse, New
York, and the abundance of attention from
men resulting from her striking beauty is
said to have led her down the proverbial "wayward
path" at a young age. At 15, she left
home and took up with a man named Moore. After
this affair ended, she entered into prostitution
(though she kept Moore's name). By all accounts
she adapted to the life quickly, and her numerous
male admirers showered her with gifts of diamond
jewelry. A story that she had a large inheritance
from her father may be apocryphal.
Bessie plied her trade in brothels in Cincinnati,
Ohio, New Orleans, Louisiana, and finally
Hot Springs, Arkansas, where she met Rothschild
sometime in 1875. From this time until her
death, they were together. There is evidence
they entered into a legal marriage in Illinois.
Rothschild's reluctance to legitimize their
relationship may have been what motivated
her murder. Bessie was pressuring Rothschild
to marry her, and according to various accounts,
she may have claimed she was pregnant (an
autopsy later showed that she was not) and
threatened to reveal this scandalous fact
to Rothschild's father.
Whatever the motive, it is known that Bessie
and Rothschild's relationship was tumultuous,
marred by alcoholism and physical abuse. Rothschild
is said to have forced Bessie to prostitute
herself numerous times during their travels
together, and to give him $50.00 a day. She
may have been suffering from a venereal disease.
In Cincinnati, Rothschild was once arrested
for beating her in public, and she accused
him several times of trying to steal and hock
her diamonds.
On January 17, 1877, the couple registered
as husband and wife at the Capitol Hotel in
Marshall, Texas, about 18 miles south of Jefferson.
After two days they traveled to Jefferson
by train. Jefferson was at this time one of
the largest and busiest river ports west of
the Mississippi River, and it is possible
Rothschild might have thought he could sell
some of Bessie's diamonds there. In any event,
the exact nature of Rothschild's business
in Jefferson is not known, nor at what point
his plan to murder Bessie might have been
hatched.
The couple registered at the Brooks House
in Jefferson as "A. Munroe and wife".
Their fine clothes and, of course, Bessie's
diamonds made an immediate impression on the
townsfolk. Rothschild is said to have first
addressed his "wife" as Bessie during
this trip, and the locals adapted this into
"Diamond Bessie."
On the morning of January 21, Rothschild
bought a picnic lunch, and the couple crossed
the bridge at Cypress Bayou, walking away
from town along the Marshall road. The last
person to see them together was Frank Malloy,
who noticed them in the restaurant before
11:00 AM; Malloy took special note of Bessie's
massive diamond rings. Approximately three
hours later Rothschild was seen crossing the
bridge back into Jefferson alone.
When questioned about his wife's whereabouts
at the Brooks House, Rothschild claimed she
had stayed across the Bayou to visit friends.
The following morning, he took breakfast alone
at the hotel, where he was seen wearing Bessie's
rings. On the morning of Tuesday the 23rd,
he boarded a train to Cincinnati with Bessie's
luggage.
Bessie's body was discovered in the woods
along the Marshall road on the afternoon of
February 5 by Sarah King, an African-American
woman out collecting firewood. The remnants
of a picnic lunch were still scattered about.
The body was fully clothed, and had no jewelry.
In Cincinnati, Rothschild began drinking
more heavily and was reportedly becoming quite
paranoid, believing himself to be followed
everywhere. He tried to shoot himself outside
a saloon in late February, but only succeeded
in putting out his right eye. After a few
days in the hospital, he was arrested and
jailed, awaiting extradition to Texas for
the murder of "Diamond Bessie Moore."
With Rothschild's real identity known, the
case quickly became a cause celebre. The public
fascination with the murder of a beautiful
young woman at the hands of a wealthy scion
of society held a lurid appeal comparable
to the contemporary murder trials of O.J.
Simpson or the Menendez Brothers. It was Texas'
first big murder case, called by Texas governor
Richard B. Hubbard "a crime unparalleled
in the record of blood."
Though Rothschild was the black sheep of
his family, their fear of devastating scandal
evidently prompted them to rally to his side
and hire him a formidable defense team. Rothschild
had no fewer than ten high-priced attorneys.
They immediately secured a change of venue,
as feelings toward Rothschild in Jefferson
were so hostile that any possible jury pool
was hopelessly tainted. The townsfolk were
known to have contributed money to reimburse
Sheriff John Vines for his trip to Cincinnati
to arrest Rothschild.
The case finally went to trial in December
1878 in Marshall. While in jail in Marshall,
Rothschild's cell mate was Jim Currie, a railroad
employee who had shot two actors, killing
one; the wounded victim was actor Maurice
Barrymore.
Rothschild was convicted — the jury
foreman reportedly drew a noose on the wall
during deliberations with the slogan, "That's
my verdict!" — but the conviction
was overturned on appeal. There was widespread
opinion that Rothschild's wealth, and Bessie's
being a prostitute, was influencing the appellate
court. One newspaper editorial bitterly wrote,
"Certainly all that is required to save
a red-handed murderer from the gallows are
two or three active friends and sufficient
money..."
After much legal wrangling, Rothschild went
to trial again on December 22, 1880, this
time in Jefferson. Rothschild did not testify
in his own defense, and his lawyers made mincemeat
of prosecution witnesses. Rothschild, to the
dismay of many, was acquitted, and rejoined
his family in Cincinnati. Editorialists were
again bitter, one writing, "...one of
the vilest and meanest murders ever perpetrated
goes unpunished through the inefficiency of
the legal system."
Rothschild quietly faded into obscurity,
but Diamond Bessie became a figure of folklore.
Every year in Jefferson during its annual
Pilgrimage Festival, a play titled The Diamond
Bessie Murder Trial, derived from court transcripts,
is performed. Diamond Bessie's grave in Jefferson's
Oakwood Cemetery is a popular tourist attraction;
unmarked for years, it bears a tombstone reputedly
installed in the night by an unknown admirer.
Diamond
Bessie's Grave: In Oakwood Cemetery
Diamond
Bessie's Ghost and Paranormal Activities
The ghost Of
Diamond Bessie is said to do many things to
those she dislikes or does not trust. From
slapping women across the face to climbing
in bed for a ghostly romp with a lone male
visiting town. Bessie is said to be most active
in December thru January. but many state that
she haunts the locale every day of the year
except on Halloween and All Saints Day.
Bessie has
also been known to steal diamond rings off
of the fingers of woman while they sleep.
She will also pull the covers off you at night
says one time Excelsior Hotel Guest Lisa Lee
Harp Waugh. The Excelsior Hotel in downtown
Jefferson. Maybe just a coincidence that it
is coined as the most haunted hotel in the
city of Jefferson.
Jack the
Ghost at the Jefferson Hotel.
"If you
are a woman and sleep alone in your room watch
out Bessie will let you get no sleep says."
Waugh the Great American Necromancer."
Bessie and I had a long conversation one night
in late 2002." says Waugh. " "She
told me personally that she felt that she
deserved more attention and any single woman
in a hotel room all alone needs to be out
finding a good man to take care of them."
Also the Jefferson
Hotel "Once known as the Crystal Palace
in the 1920's" being no exception to
the many ghosts that haunt the area. People
who have been the only guests in the hotel
have heard the ghostly sound of footsteps
walking the halls in the middle of the night
- even though the hall is carpeted! Children
have been heard laughing and romping throughout
the hotel in the middle of the night. A child
calls for mama, a baby cries, And often the
sounds of a child singing in whispers. Some
tells of an 1890's bride often heard weeping,
who hung herself. A psychic years ago said
the hotel has over seven nonpaying dead guests!
Room 19, where it is reported that a young
prostitute was murdered. Although no murders
are officially on file, one will never know
because the records were destroyed in a fire.
The woman was reported to have been killed
in the tub, but was left in agony there, not
taking her final breath until two days after
her mortal wounds were inflicted.
The Grove,
a historic property in Jefferson, Texas. The
Grove is featured on the cover of "A
Texas Guide To Haunted Restaurants, Taverns,
and Inns" by Robert and Anne Wlodarski.
Listed on the National Register of Historic
Places by the National Parks Service and designated
a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark by the
Texas Historical Commission, the house is
said to be one of the most haunted locations
in the entire state. though a local ghost
hunter often disputes this publically. Often
siting that the Jefferson and Excelsior Hotel
have more ghosts and paranormal phenomena
then openly admited or reported.
The Grove
is a private residence and tour home in the
old Stephen Smith Land Grant section of town.
The house was built in 1861 by Frank and Minerva
Stilley. Here are a few of the ghost stories
from The Grove:
* When the Grove family owned the property
(the name is just a coincidence), Mrs. Grove
reportedly brought a Bible to bed with the
intention of praying for her and her husband,
but she fell asleep. She awakened to a black
swirling mass engulfing the bedroom. There
were also unexplained voices, disembodied
footsteps, sounds of objects being moved by
unseen hands, and apparitions.
* Sudden odors have appeared in rooms: the
scent of a woman's perfume, or the smell of
body odor, as if someone hasn't bathed for
a long time.
* When Patrick Hopkins, the former owner,
was getting the restaurant ready to open,
a lady dressed in white walked down the hallway,
and into the ladies' powder room.
* Heavy mirrors have fallen off the wall without
explanation, and have landed without breaking
or crushing the objects beneath them.
* During its restaurant years, a waitress
walked out of the kitchen into the hallway
and was attacked by a black and white dog
that knocked her to the ground. After quickly
regaining her composure, she ran back into
the kitchen, screaming for help. Patrick Hopkins
searched the building and yard - there was
no dog to be found. It simply had vanished.
* During a Candlelight Tour, a couple visiting
from Dallas took a picture of the Christmas
lights on the neighbor's house to the east
of The Grove. Their photo showed the Christmas
lights in the foreground. In the background
was a lady in a high-collared, puff sleeved
white dressed surrounded by a ring of smoke.
* While rehearsing a dinner theater, a light
technician was on the front porch looking
through the window. Suddenly she felt someone
staring at her so she quickly glanced to the
right. Standing on the east side of the house
by the porch was a lady in white who began
walking behind the east side of the house.
Chasing the eerie-looking woman, the girl
turned the corner of the house, and the woman
had vanished. Ironically, at one time there
was a door on that side of the house leading
into the Blue Room.
* On that same rehearsal night, the actress
portraying the heroine came down the stairs.
When she reached the bottom step she glanced
to her right and saw a person in costume she
was not familiar with, standing in the corner.
When she began to ask the lady something,
the woman disappeared.
* Wet footprints have appeared in the middle
of the hallway, even though it wasn't raining
outside and there were no plumbing leaks.
Drops of water have been found on the staircase,
and on one particular mirror in the house,
all when the atmosphere was dry.
* A neighbor lady told a former owner, "Let
me tell you what my sister and I have seen
recently. My sister was standing on our porch
one night around 9 o'clock when she called
me out to see a glowing white figure across
the street. She looked like she was inspecting
the renovation of an old building. The figure
came from the east side of The Grove!"
She and her sister had witnessed this several
nights in a row.
* A renter lived in the garden cottage at
one time, and he looked out its window to
see a little girl playing out among the flowers.
He went outside, and she looked at him, then
disappeared.
* A shadow-figure has been seen in the garden
many times - striding quickly across it, or
simply just hanging around.
* Lights go on and off in the house, and the
chandeliers have reported to sway, even with
the absence of moving air in the room.
About Tamilla Easter Jackson
A graduate of Wiley College Bates has lived
in Marshall, Texas all her life. As the founding
member of Marshall, Texas Ghost Finders she
and her group of 35 other students have hunted
for ghost and paranormal activity through
out the City of Marshall, TX. " Growing
up haunted inn Marshall is a common thing."
says Jackson. Since she was a child she has
had over 30 or more encounters with the White
Lady of Marshall, Texas.
Each year during the STAGE COACH DAYS Jackson
holds several private ghost tours. Plan to
join MTGF for a real ghost hunt of the cities
downtown area during the 37h Annual May 16th
2009. Come enjoy the Haunted ghost filled
fun!
Marshall, Texas Ghost Finders
5th Paranormal Workshop
Mark your calendar to join us ! 2nd Weekend
in October. Paranormal, Fortran, Crypto zoology,
Supernatural, Ghosts , Psychics, Remote viewing,
Clairvoyance, Extra-sensory perception, Near-death
experience, Precognition · Psychokinesis,
Psychometry, Telepathy, Apparitional experience,
Parapsychology, Haunted locations UFOs, UFO
sightings, Paranormal UFO explanations, Paranormal
fiction, Ghost hunting , Folklore, urban legends.
