Record crowd at 2015 Ghost Walk
The Highland County Press
A record crowd attended the annual Ghost Walk held at the Hillsboro Cemetery on Thursday night.
On a pleasant, sunny evening, a crowd of approximately 150 area residents heard the tales of Carrie Lee Finnell Morris, John C. Brown, Charles Collins, Col. William Oliver Collins and Professor Isaac Sams.
The popular event was hosted by the Highland County Historical Society and the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society.
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Longtime Highland County historian Jean Wallis welcomed the attendees at the cemetery’s chapel, plus introduced those associated with both societies.
Mel Haines, who portrayed the ghost of Sams, thanked everyone who attended the walk, adding that he had never seen a larger crowd for any of the previous Ghost Walks.
Exotic dancer Carrie Lee Finnell Morris, who was born in 1900 and died in 1963, was portrayed by Avery Applegate, a retired art teacher.
Next, Hillsboro attorney Dennis Kirk presented the life of Charles Collins (1832-1904), who was a Hillsboro attorney, world traveler and author.
Steve Roush, a regular ghost portrayer, presented the life of John C. Brown (1851-1888), a relative by marriage who had the misfortune of being fatally shot while sitting in front of the Parker Hotel by his brother in law. Roush spoke of Brown, his family and the bitter feud that led to Brown’s death 127 years ago.
Robert Brown, another one of the society’s regular ghosts, presented the life story of Col. William Oliver Collins (1809-1880), a Hillsboro attorney, state lawmaker and commander of the 11th regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.
To round out the evening, Haines, a retired educator from Kettering and another regular ghost, presented the life story of Isaac Sams (1788-1878). Sams helped to improve the Hillsboro community as an advocate for education.