Name/Title
Letter from Julia A.E. Haley to Harry GeorgeEntry/Object ID
Q1430.634.233ADescription
Vol 1 P. 233A
Letter from Julia A.E. Haley to Harry George describing the history/legend of a haunted castle in Sitka.
Furniture from Haunted Castle
Strange legend about furniture in Alaska Building at Exposition-
A legendary ghost story about the "Blue Lady" haunting a castle. It explains that mahogany furniture from the now non-existent castle, located a mile from Epsom, will be used in the Alaskan Building exhibition. The letter recounts a tale that the Blue Lady, a ghost, has been haunting the castle for over 60 years, often seen in the mahogany enclosed corridors of the previously demolished hotel. The only remnants of the haunting are the castle's furniture, intended for the Alaskan Building. This legend is narrated in "The Ghosts of Alaskan" by a person named John W. Alexander.
The content mentions the "Russian American Company," an event taking place in "New Archangel," and refers to individuals such as "Baranoff" whose niece "Miss Julia Ballard" fell in love with a young Russian officer who died while on a mission. Miss Ballard subsequently died of a broken heart in the Castle. The Indians told of having seen the Blue Lady sitting around the castle mourning and walling. When the castle went to ruining, Miss Haley had secured the furniture, and the castle was mysteriously burned.
The story continues, having no castle to haunt, the lady resolves to haunt furniture until the end of the century. It appears that there is a sense of unease and superstition associated with this tale.
(The handwriting at the bottom reads, "Copied from Little Louis," possibly referencing the source or author of the text.)Subject
Julia A. E. Haley
Russian Trading Post Curio Store
Sitka, Alaska
Castle
Mrs. Mary E. HartSubject Person/Organization
Harry L. George Collection
