Cullan Hudson's Blog, page 17

Shanghai Surprise: Portland's Sinister Past Unearthed

One of the highlights of my recent trip to Portland, OR was that city's famous "Shanghai Tunnels", also known as the Portland Underground. This complex labyrinth of interconnecting rooms and passages was once a hot bed of opium dens, illegal gambling, prostitution, and other nefarious dealings. However, the most famous story associated with these underground spaces is the art of Shanghaiing.

Despite it's exotic-sounding sobriquet, getting Shanghaied was nothing a man wanted to go through. Poor souls who walked into the wrong bar (which seemed to be all of them at one point) might find themselves drugged, attacked, or even dropped through trap doors into the warren below. Once unconscious, the men would be loaded aboard ships as slave labor. With only two options: work or die. One couldn't exactly escape when in the middle of the Pacific.

Cities on both coasts had such tunnels (and even landlocked ones as well), but Portland's are perhaps the most famous. While once an extensive network of underground spaces, much of it has been destroyed, filled in, re-purposed, or otherwise cutoff so that only a small portion has been recovered as a testament to this lost history.

The guide who showed us through these rooms was also a paranormal investigator. He informed us of several spirits that wander lost in the places below. Among the ghosts that haunt the place are that of a prostitute named Nina and a notorious criminal and Shanghaier named Joseph "Bunco" Kelly. Other unknown spirits--likely those of the men and women who died there--flit about the shadows as well.

Sasquatch Hunt Takes Dangerous Turn

Shortly before 10 pm Saturday night, calls came into Tulsa authorities regarding an accidental shooting involving a pair of Bigfoot hunters.

Apparently, two hunters had gone into the woods near 177th East Avenue and Tiger Switch Road in Rogers County, Oklahoma to bag a Sasquatch, but one of them ended up getting shot by his companion instead. The shooter, Omar Pineda, was startled by a barking noise, jerked his gun around, and fired. Unfortunately, his friend was in the way.

The wounded man phoned up his girlfriend who drove out to pick the pair up from a convenience store at 161st and Admiral.

From that point the man was taken to a local hospital where he was listed in stable condition.

Accidents, however, do not mitigate arrests, as several were made in the case. 21 year-old Pineda was booked on reckless conduct with a firearm and obstruction charges. Pineda's father-in-law, Perry Don James, was also arrested. The 53 year-old, a convicted felon, was held on charges related to his possession of the firearm and tampering with evidence.

Lacey Jane Pineda, Omar's wife, rounded out the arrested trio. She informed police officers that someone else had shot at the men. Mrs. Pineda was charged with obstruction.

Officers believe the shooting was accidental but until the case has been thoroughly examined, all avenues will be pursued.

It Was Oklahoma City's Most Exclusive Night Club

The place sat perched high on the tree covered hills where slow moving bands of ground hugging  fogs regularly rolled in from the myriad small creeks all around roadsters came via country roads.  Then, later, where Route 66 snaked past and even later where the fast paced  Interstate traffic could see it waiting to offer them a good time in it latest guise of eating establishment. When this historic location first opened business it was in the country northeast of the Capitol building. Instead of an address, directions were given, such as this from a 1930 ad " 3 blocks north of State Capitol and 4 blocks east of 63rd." Later ads use the terms "63rd and Edmond Hwy" or "1226 NE 63rd".

Termed a 'speakeasy' in the 1920's the location can be found as the " Lincoln Tavern" operated by Mrs. Mitchell in May of 1928.  In summer of 1929 it was "English Tavern " and then in Spring of 1929 it is listed as " Oak Cliff" and was serving meals and Sunday dinners. During the 1920's in Oklahoma there was a accepted turning of the eyes by many city, county and state officials over the issue of prohibition.  With gangsters, the growth of the KKK and a population boom, there was a lot to deal with in the land.
"Mitchell's Oak Cliff Night Club" can be traced in ads to 1930 in Oklahoma City. Like many early night clubs in the city, they were often in refurbished residences (such as the Abe Hale Night Club ).  In 1930 ads stated it was 'newly redecorated throughout' but it is not clear when the established started, or if there was something there even earlier.
Later news articles would say the establishment's history was The Silver Club (1935-1937), Oak Cliff Club (1937-1939), Kentucky Club (1939- ). The dates appear to be slightly off for the clubs occupancy's.  The Oak Cliff Club, commonly referred to as " Mitchell's Oak Cliff Night Club " (W. or E. Mitchell, a former policeman from Arkansas who came to Oklahoma in 1924) was found in newspaper ads as early as Spring of 1930. Mid-decade their partners the Murphy's sued over a dispute on the sale of beer. The Murphy's opposed but the Mitchell's supported it and Jessie Murphy alleged Mitchell was a hard drinker.  The court sided, however, with the Mitchell's.   The owners were in a serious accident in 1937 that might have sparked an early retirement.  The "Kentucky Club" has a grand opening Oct. 28, 1938. In 1961, with the construction of new motel complex nearby, the place becomes " The Ramada Club ." It is apparently still under the same management as the previous years, Tony Marneres, at that time.  Then there is another stretch of it being "The Kentucky Club "...hawked as fine dining in posh surroundings. In 1981, it becomes "The County Line" and noted for its BBQ in more causal family style dining.  In the early years it was noted for its racing stables theme with thirteen small dining booths. Every year the Kentucky Derby winner's name would be placed on one of the booths.  There were tales of tables that rotated below the floor to hide gaming surfaces, hidden holes in the floor to stash booze or winnings, and signal bells in the booths for police raids. While some denied these, others, even some who had the opportunity to examine the underside of the old floors, indicated some odd construction features. Overall, despite its self promotion as a fine dining and dancing club with an emphasis on good food at various times it had a shady past. It had a long history of being associated with gambling, illegal booze, and shady ladies.  Most place these stories in the 1920's and 1930's.  There does seem to be evidence of flaunted local laws on gambling and drinking, despite its label as a swank dancing and dining spot.  During the 1950's it was raided more than once - along with dozens of other similar joints - in irregular law enforcement sweeps.  Since it was 'out in the country' just off Route 66 as it angled into Oklahoma City, and an attractive place for those willing to break the law to gamble or drink,  anything may be possible. The servant's quarters of the Oak Cliff was where the decapitated body of the wife of employee Will Jackson was found in April of 1938.  The wife was 42 and had been a servant in the home of Lytles of Larchmont Lane.  An early ad if 1930 showed an "Aunt Jemima" style depiction of an "Aunt Willie" who served good cooking at "Oklahoma's most exclusive night club" in December of 1930. Was this Mrs. Jackson?
The original house then burned in 1945 and a neon sign was cited as possible cause in a lawsuit by then owner Tony Marneres.  The extent of the damage is unclear and later stories do not jibe as to the extent of the damage to the original house.  Over time the original house of the  club had been added to and had several small motel like quarters added to house staff.  These gave rise to tales of a brothel and other nefarious activities over time. When they were added is unclear, but the 1938 murder does indicate there were servants quarters there then and this adds some support to those other tales.
The rebuilt establishment became the Ramada Club , and then once more the Kentucky Club until just before 1981 when one of its more notable incarnations emerged as "The County Line " (1981 -200?).
However the time line is a little less clear about some of the early forms of the club.  One item was found for 1934 referring to something called " Silver Club" and saying they were 'formerly Mitchell's Oak Cliff".  Why the ownership interruptus is not clear, but given the time as close to the lawsuit and then the road accident that broke Mitchell's neck, the time may have been ripe to sell out. A date of 1935 to 1938 for occupation by "The Silver Club" at the location may be accurate.  There is a reference to a "Silver Dollar Club" in 1938 when a Floyd "Jelly Clark of Texas was stabbed but it was located at NW 50th and May." So it is probably not the same club.

Over the years, many paranormal teams have investigated the location. Cold spots, EVP's and numerous other observations were made (including some by this author) that added to the lore of the haunted reputation of the locale.

For at least eighty three years, there has been an epicenter of lively activity perched on the hillside above the road.  A beacon of good food, music, a nip or two and the ability to toss the dice in a game of chance.  What other secrets might this 'most exclusive night club' reveal? We will let you know.

This location was one that definitely gave the promised 'kicks'  on the historic Route 66 to passing motorists and thrill seeking locals.

Portland's Haunted White Eagle Saloon and Hotel

I snapped this picture days before Halloween. I bet the spirits were getting
active. The next time I'm out this way, I will have to book a haunted room.In the shadow of Portland's Fremont Bridge, just off the Willamette River, stands the White Eagle Saloon and Hotel. This historic 2-story brick structure has 11 modestly furnished rooms that share a bathroom. More known for the bar downstairs (and the bands that play there), this hotel has a long history that includes more than a few ghosts. The saloon and hotel first opened its doors in 1905 to serve a large population of Polish workers in the area. It was even the early home to St. Stanislaus, the West Coast's first Polish Catholic church.

As the neighborhood industrialized further, new workers arrived in the area and the Saloon's clientele broadened as its reputation floundered. It soon became a notorious spot for inebriated workers to either pick up a prostitute or succumb to the sinister tradition of slavery known as Shanghaiing. Legend has it that an underground tunnel ran from the hotel's basement to the river nearby where unconscious men were loaded onto ships and forced into a long, miserable stint working at sea.

At one time, Latino, Black, and Asian prostitutes worked out of the basement; the rooms above were reserved for their White counterparts. The ladies below had often been kidnapped or purchased as slaves and subsequently had a less enjoyable time. It is said that more than one of these girls haunts the subterranean spaces beneath the White Eagle. Doors will open and shut on their own; faint traces of dance hall music can be heard; witnesses have reported feeling unseen hands grope them; and apports such as coins have been spotted falling from the ceiling.

The rooms upstairs are home to two ghosts referred to as Rose and Same. Rose was a prostitute who fell in love with a client. However, when the man proposed she refused in fear of reprisal from her boss. The client was angered by this dismissal and, feeling led on, killed Rose in a fit of rage. Her mournful sobs can still be heard by guests.

Sam the housekeeper had lived in the upper rooms since he was a boy and stayed on as a worker until his death. Many say he still lingers, going about his chores.

A bouncer who worked the Saloon disappeared one day without explanation. Some believed him to have been Shanghaied. His spirit is said to still show up for work as well.

A waitress was once pushed down the basement stairs.

A phantom patron walks from the bar to the bathroom and most courteously remembers to flush each time.

Digging Up An Old Ghost Story

In the second week of September 1919, the residents of Carbon, PA were worked up over the inexplicable presence of a young woman in a white gown who had been seen "flitting about late at night".

The ghost, as the townsfolk called her, was spotted three times between midnight and one o'clock one night. One who saw her was a Norwegian miner named Peter Oleson. The miner heard a strange knocking at his door three nights in a row. Each time he answered, the girl in white would stand there silently.

Oleson bid her come in, assuring her that he meant no harm. But still she said nothing. However, when he tried to touch her, the entity screamed shrilly and vanished.

Oleson wasn't alone in his sighting. An Italian man named Frank Piso who lived nearby also received the spectral knocking.

William Maisers, a local grocer and something of an authority on local ghosts said the woman is the ghost of a young lady who was captured by Indians when they fled from Eastern Pennsylvania in the middle of the 18th Century. Maisers related how in the woman's third and final attempt to flee her captors, she had been killed near where the modern mining town of Carbon lay.

Local Historic Church Walking Tours Nov.3

During the Ruth Haddon Fine Arts Festival (Nov.2-3) there will be tours at:

Sun. Nov. 3 at 12:20 and 1:00, 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. (it will close at 3:30).

Guests can tour the booths for paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and other fine art gift ideas and then take one of the tours scheduled. Then, a few weeks later, right before the OKC Tellabration event at Wesley UMC there will be another opportunity.  "I will be doing tours from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. and then right after that will be the storytelling concert at 6 p.m. Tickets for that great event are only $10 per person and will be available at the door."

The church was established in 1910 its English Gothic sanctuary finished in 1928 and has seen many authors, civic leaders, and notable business people come through its doors.  It sits on the old OKC Route 66 loop and was visible to any taking that path on the "Mother Road."
Cameras are welcome. The tour is  free  and donations will be accepted for historic preservation. 

Questions?  Contact marilynahudson@yahoo.com

Zena Entirely Human After All.

If you were holding out that Zena, the "wild woman" from southern Russia who was captured in the 19th century and proclaimed to be Almasty, was all the legends claimed her to be, then you're in for a sad shock: genetic testing revealed she was entirely of Sub-Saharan African origin. Likely, she was a slave brought to the region during the rule of the Ottomans. Read more HERE.

Some Ghosts Hide in Plain Sight

One thing quickly discovered when doing paranormal or historic research is how often a location is labeled as 'haunted' without any substantiating data. In a recent project identifying some alleged haunted Oklahoma City locations this was clear.  Websites provided a long list of sites where strange thing had occurred but most fall into the realm of urban legend.

Most urban legends are identifiable by their lack of context, there is no reason or history related to the observations reported and there is a distinct vagueness about what occurred and what was seen. 

Sometimes, however, the story is there is one digs deep enough for it.  Sometimes, also, there is a story, with some supporting evidence, attached to places one never finds on the purported investigative 'lists.'

One such location is a privately owned building on Main street in downtown Oklahoma City.  The building at 410 Main (4081/2) was the site of the Wren Hotel and a 1930s shoot out with local police. J. Ray O'Donnell, was caught in a 'clean sweep' move by local police who were arresting suspicious types looking for a companion of the famed Bonnie and Clyde, local known criminals, and miscreants.  O'Donnell resisted with a weapon, and though he had no local record, battled it out with police until local policeman turned FBI marksman, D. A. Bryce shot and killed him. No record has been found indicating an explanation for the man's deadly response.

Over the years the hotel / boarding house changed names and hands.  Nestled between Hudson and Walker the hotel there had begun life as The Swan before 1910, but the Howard, the Albany and the Wren incarnations followed. A reoccurring report from individuals spoken to over the years indicates that there have been many stories of footsteps heard from the second floor (even when vacant). One individual indicated he had felt a phantom bullet shoot past him as if the gun play was being reenacted.  Find out about other lost or forgotten Oklahoma City hotels HERE.

'Twas the night of Halloween...

Early Dawn Ghost Cruiser?

In early spring a few years ago a witness reported seeing something a little strange.  In the golden amber light of a spring morning, a light ground fog hugging the road and giving things a soft look, the witness saw an old style cruiser on the exit just ahead of them.  The style was a big boxy car with the large oversized and rounded lights and that alone caught the attention of the driver.  The driver's first thought was that it was somebody's special refurbish project out for a morning spin. Then, on second thought, this did not make sense.  Who takes a drive like that in the pre-8 a.m. morning traffic? Then, as the driver, glanced by habit out the rearview mirror and returned her eyes to the road, the vehicle was no longer ahead of her and there was still a lot of exit ahead!  Uncertain if she had simply missed the auto's move out into the traffic, she paused at the stop sign and there above the ground fog the roads on either side of the overpass were clearly visible.   No cars anywhere.  To the south the avenue leading to the airport and to the north the board open country before an industrial area. A recent discovery has shown police officers did indeed drive out that way.  Some, however, never did return.  On the morning of April 5, 1972 at about 6 a.m. a call was sent to police dispatch to a pond on a remote pond along the airport parameter near SW 74th and MacArthur.  A 26 year old police man named Joe McArthur had committed suicide and had called for a homicide unit and coroner to cover his own death. Who is to say if there is a police officer still out there patrolling in the early mornings when the air is amber and the fog hugs the ground?