St Mary's Cemetery, Manitowoc

[toddj]

A couple of my friends have seen in the early evening, a figure of a lady on or near 18th street, half block south of Puaski Park, right next to the St Mary's Cemetery.

They were not familiar, but I remember a lady walking next to the cemetery one evening in the early to mid 70's (when I was a kid), and getting jumped. The individual beat her head agaist a grave stone and killed her. I remember, because as a teenager, I was playing basketball at my Uncle house about a block and a half away. We were all blown away when it was in the papers, and on the news, because we were right there!!

I asked my Uncle about it last night, he remembers it happening, but did not recal exactly when, or the ladys
name. I told my buddies the story, and they both were a little freaked out.
Does anyone remember any details of this incident???

By the way.....I'm new, and cool site!!!

TJ

[Chad Lewis]

Toddj,

Thanks for the story. I have not heard about that cemetery being haunted. I would be interested in seeing if a woman was actually killed there. Maybe someone will have a date or even a year that the incident took place.
-Chad Lewis

[LadyOfTheLake]

I don't live far from that area, and have lived in Manitowoc County all my life. For some reason, I have not heard of this, but think it would be interesting to research more info on this... if I only had time.

TJ, if you find info on it anywhere, let me know, I would be interested in knowing more about it!

[toddj]

Hey guys!
Thanks for the interest. After I was asking around a bit, I did learn a little more about this story from some of the locals.
I tried to find info on the net, but was unable to give it my full attention, so I decided to post it here.
I think a person would have to go to the local library for an obituary, or is there is a better method?!?!
I do have her name (but no sure date yet), but unsure about posting someone's surname.

Little help??

[LadyOfTheLake]

Personally, I like doing research at the library... or what about at Mtwc. County Historical Society? They have an excellent research library, but you cannot check anything out from there... (I would want to, just to make copies and take it home and sit in a more comfortable chair and drink coffee and have my silence, be in my world). But that is me.

I noted you, Todd. But I am going to ask a few select ppl, who just might remember something? I am wondering if even a church secretary from that place might be able to tell you more? Or a church elder? But how does one say "Do you know anything about a murder taking place in 1974 in the lkfdklfdlkdfslkfd Cemetary?" and not getting a dirty look?

I suppose it would be just a tad bit better than going to Plainfield and asking some person in their 80's if they knew Ed Gein in highschool or remembered when he dug up graves and swilled beer at a local tavern or killed the Hardware store owner's wife? *gasp*

Alright. I got off track again. But how would one ask just THAT??

[LadyOfTheLake]

And now I wonder more about this story of this woman's death.

Still, ToddJ, there was a real interesting case in Appleton about a lady who killed her husband and disposed of him in a rather unique way.

You need to go to one of the conferences for this site, and hear Richard Hendricks wonderful story on it, and the research he did on it... I just find the story fascinating!

And better yet... go buy Richard and Linda's new book "Weird Wisconsin", it came out a month ago, and now you can find them at places, and get the book signed!

I have yet to get the book. Waiting until June, at the Green Bay conference. One can never have enough signed books. Well, I even got another one tonight. "The Bookcase Ghost" by Stuart Stotts and Elizabeth Matson. They were in our city again...
*grins*

[LadyOfTheLake]

So now I am curious, ToddJ... did you go to this cemetery in the last year or so (or whatever) and see if you could find the stone this woman was killed near? Or which one might be hers?

I was there a few weeks ago. What does seem strange are some old stones that are obviously transplants... And then that section beyond the row or trees... And that I have never, ever seen anyone there. As often as I drive past. Or the few times I stopped...

[toddj]

I drove by last night (as a matter of fact). The lady was killed on a stone near the sidewalk on the perimeter of the cemetery (on 18th street), and dragged to a area where a grounds keepers shed once stood (near the row of trees).
By the way...beyond the tree's...
is all priests, and nuns.

[LadyOfTheLake]

I've been at this cemetery often, the last year or two.
What fascinates me (for some reason) is the gravestones of a few... their last name might be (Smithe, for example, and that is not the last name) and the stone next to it on the same family plot is now Smith (for example, and that is not the last name either).

A real site to see is when the cemetery grounds keeper is there, pressure washing the gravestones (old AND new ones). The front of his truck has a bug shield with the words GRAVE DIGGER on it... it's hard to not laugh, or stare.

And now I will wonder, did that man pressure wash the religious order stones on the other side of the trees? And with that thought... the names of the Sisters that are buried there intruige me to no end. Not sure why, as I was educated during some of my grade school years by sisters/nuns... but the name combinations are interesting.
And so are the years they lived. *sigh*

[LadyOfTheLake]

Recently I drove thru this same cemetery (right before Christmas). I will insist I saw exactly one half of a tree with leaves... live leaves that were NOT late fall left overs...

Anyone other local see this?