Kansas

Leavenworth

Fort Leavenworth

A bevy of ghost haunt this base, the oldest continuously operated military post west of the Mississippi. Many people have witnessed the ghost
of Catherine Sutter walking among the tombstones of the national cemetery and on the grounds of the present golf course. Bound for Oregon,
she stopped over a the forest in 1800 with her husband and two children. One day, her husband sent the children out to collect firewood, but
they never returned. The Sutters stayed on through the winter, hoping against hope that their loved ones would be found, and Catherine spent
many lonely hours walking through the snow calling out to her children. That same year, the distraught woman caught pneumonia and died. Her
apparition, wearing an old calico dress and black shawl, is seen desperately searching for her lost children. Sometimes she is observed carrying
a lantern, while other times her voice can be heard calling out in the darkness. Another ghost reported in the cemetery is Chief Joseph a proud
Nez Pierce Indian leader, who was incarcerated at the fort in 1877.

Several ghosts populate the rookery, the oldest house on the base. The apparitions of the busy-body old woman, a bushy haired old man in a
white robe, and an angry young girl disturb residents trying to sleep in the 162 year old house. Sheridan House is haunted by the vengeful spirit
of Mrs. Sheridan, wife of General Philip H. Sheridan. In 1869, he deserted his wife on her deathbed to go to Chicago on business. A few doors
down, at the chief of staff's quarters, the sounds of a tea party can be heard coming from the empty parlor. The presence of a man with a
mustache and goatee is occasionally felt at the McClellan Officer's Quarters. His apparition has appeared in the fireplace, and his loud footsteps
are heard late at night, stumbling through the house. The former wife of St. Ignatius Chapel is haunted by the ghost of the priest who burned to
death in an 1875 fire that destroyed the building. Father Fred had turned up at the fireplace, in the kitchen, near a sewing machine, and other
places n the new house that was built on the site. Houses along Sumner Place are haunted by the presence of a lady in black, who is
sometimes seen trying to calm crying children or attempting to help with the dishes. The ghost of General George Custer has been seen
roaming the first floor of the General's Residence. While still a colonel, Custer was court marshaled in 1867 for shooting soldiers who disobeyed
him. The hearing was held in the commanding general's quarters, where Buster was found guilty and given a year's suspension without pay. The
men Custer sacrificed at Little Big Horn, some of whom are buried here, have also returned. Their ghostly figures have been reported marching
on the main parade.

Fort Leavenworth is two miles north of the city of Leavenworth on Highway 73 in the northeastern corner of Kansas. The rookery is at 14 Sumner
Place, Sheridan house is at 611 Scott Avenue. The chief of staff's quarters are at 624 Scott Avenue. The haunted officer's quarters are at 605
McClellan Avenue. The house built over St. Ignatus Chapel is at 632 Thomas Avenue. The Lady in Black has been seen at 18 and 20 Sumner
Place. The General's Residence is at 1 Scott Avenue. Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth KS 66027. Phone: 913-684-4021.

Bibliography: Hauck, Dennis. Haunted Places: Ghost abodes, sacred sites, UFO landings, and other supernatural locations. New York: Penguin
Book, 1994.