Ah, October, the greatest month for all things weird and wild!

I want to hear from YOU, loyal readers, about your local ghost tales! To provide inspiration, here are a few ghost tales from previous years.

Columns By J. Scott Wilson Diary Of A Fat Man Ask The Cook Short Orders The Weird Chronicles

And if this DOES bring any local ghosts to mind, send information and (preferably) Web links right here. Thanks!

Here it is almost Halloween, and the little ghosts, ghouls, dragons, and hideously overpriced action figure costumes are making the rounds all around suburbia.

As it always does, this time of year has sent the Weird Wires into a frenzy, churning out items so quickly that Willy the Mailboy lost a fingertip trying to change a printer ribbon while the daisy wheel was spinning. However, in the "spirit" of the season, we've decided this week to bring you some weird and wonderful spooky tales from around the country.

So, grab that Ouija board and make sure your pointy hat is seated firmly, it's going to be a bumpy (and spooky) ride!

The Haunted Tracks

In a rural area outside the city limits of San Antonio, Texas, there is a railroad crossing near a small subdivision. Legend has it that, over 60 years ago, a school bus full of children was struck by a speeding train, and all aboard the bus were killed. Almost immediately, stories began to circulate regarding mysterious "helpers" who would push stalled cars off the tracks.

There have been numerous "debunkers" who have claimed that there's actually a grade to the road which causes cars to roll across the tracks. However, no one can explain why, occasionally, a vehicle will roll to the tracks and stop ON them. Ghostly laughter has been heard, and there are reports of child-sized handprints showing up in talcum powder scattered on the truck lids of cars "pushed" across the tracks.

The photo at left was taken by a paranormal researcher investigating the track phenomenon. What do you see in it?

Ghosts Standing Guard

At the National Guard Armory in Orleans Parish, La., the night guards seem to have some help in their nightly rounds. It is believed that the spirit of Henry Brunig, a caretaker who killed himself in 1937 after almost two dozen horses in his care were deemed unfit for duty and summarily slaughtered, still roams the armory. Guards have reported slamming doors, flushing toilets, and ghostly presences around the grounds. The sounds of bridles jingling and the spectral smell of saddle leather are common occurrences in the open areas of the installation.

The Ghost Of Voorhees Hall

No, it's not Jason, but Helen who is reputed to haunt the corridors and rooms of Voorhees Hall, on the campus of Coe College in Iowa. Helen Roberts was a freshman who died of Spanish influenza while at the college in 1918. Her spirit is said to be mischevious, pacing up and down the halls and opening and closing doors.

The intrepid students at Coe even set up a "Helen Cam," and offer prizes occasionally for the best "Helen sightings" captured by viewers. Check out the one at right and tell me what you see.

Living La Fantom Loca?

Latin music star Ricky Martin is buying a house, and according to the current owner he'd better bring along an exorcist.

The $6.5 million mansion is reputed to be inhabited by a "vindictive" female spirit who wanders the halls moaning, pulling down ceiling tiles, and playing the radio. I'm guessing she's looking for a station that plays "oldies but ghoulies."

Is Ernest Home?

A little south of Miami, in Key West, the home of Ernest Hemingway is said to be haunted by the renowned author himself. He's reportedly been seen waving from windows in the home, and turning lights on throughout the place. Late-night visitors have recounted tales of hearing a typewriter pounding away and smelling the distinct odors of rum and whiskey in the air.

Perhaps, seeing the quality of what's currently on the bestseller lists, he figures his help is needed.

Give A Girl A Lift?

Chicago is a town with a long history and a lot of ghost stories, but none are more famous than Resurrection Mary. The stories began in the 1930's, when drivers started to report encounters with a ghostly figure who would try to jump onto the running boards of their vehicles. Later on, the stories became much more elaborate, with men telling tales of dancing with a young woman at a nearby dance hall, offering her a ride home, and having her vanish as they drove by Resurrection Cemetery. Motorists have shown up at area businesses, claiming to have "run over" a woman, only to have her get up and vanish into the cemetery.

Numerous efforts have been made over the years to establish the ghost's identity, but none have been proven. Some skeptics even claim that the stories are nothing more than Chicago's version of the famous "vanishing hitchhiker" urban legend which shows up in just about every area from time to time.

If you see Mary, can you ask her to return the polar bear bobblehead doll she swiped off my dashboard?

There's Room At The Inn

In Painesville, Ohio, Rider's Inn has been known as the domain of Mistress Suzanne for years. The inn was built in 1812 and named after its original owner, a retired Revolutionary War soldier. He was something of a ne'er-do-well, and Suzanne was his third wife. She died one night of mysterious causes, and reports began soon after of odd occurrences in the inn. Doors will open and shut of their own accord, lights will be extinguished, and the morning cook reports having to repeatedly rearrange her spice rack to her liking. Apparently, Mistress Suzanne prefers them arranged differently.

Our affiliate site in Cleveland, NewsNet5, has set up a live Web cam in a hall of the inn where she's often been sighted. Do you see her? If you capture a good shot, send it along!

I hope you've enjoyed our tour of some of the local "haunts." Got anything that weird going on out your way? Let me know!