It's that time of year where the local haunts are active and bustling with signs from the past. Amy Parks, the owner of the Texas Ghost Hunting Society decided to investigate and gather ghost stories from some locals:
Within the walls of the 1757 Presidio de San Saba, lies almost 300 years of Texas history. Walk through the slightly restored ruins and just imagine their daily lives. Baking bread, cooking and sharing meals, attending church in the chapel and trying to garner the Lipan Apache's trust. The Presidio is also ripe for ghostly activity due to the massacre that happened at this legendary location. At least 8 people died here, including Fathers Alonso de Terreros and Joseph Santiesteban.
Respecting the history of the Presidio, while visiting at night, my partner and I were able to experience evidence of the rich history. It was a full moon night in October. The veil was especially thin. Although we didn't get much audio evidence, visually we both saw apparitions both of light and dark shadows indicating we were not alone. We both heard rocks and sticks being thrown after promptings of asking for evidence of occupation. Other ghost hunting groups have experienced the same activities which just further proves the authenticity of the haunted history at this location. Moving on to a more recent story of murder and mayhem, we go to the year 1906. The murder of Thomas Augustus Turner still proves for an interesting tale. Story has it that Tom Turner, local hotel owner, and William Bevans, who owned the original Bank of Menard and the Bevans Hotel, got into an argument outside due to a comment made by Mr. Turner. That fight was broken up by the town policemen. Mr. Bevans met up with Mr. Turner later that afternoon in the Cottonwood Saloon which was next door to the bank. They both pulled out a gun and knife respectively and the gun "accidently discharged" killing Tom Turner instantly. Mr. Bevans was tried and found Not Guilty due to "accidental discharge of the gun." This wasn't the last time William Bevans would see Tom Turner. Rumors and many stories later have it that on Mr. Bevans' death bed in 1937, he was heard yelling "Make Tom Turner go away!"
Employees have had numerous experiences in the old historical Bank of Menard building that Mr. Bevans inherited. Marcie Petty has heard chairs rolling across the floor but nobody else was present. Whiffs of "Old Lady Perfume" can be periodically smelled while apparitions of a man in a 1900s era suit have been seen walking across the front room of the building. Could this be William Bevans still looking over his bank? Or is Tom Turner still haunting the area where he was murdered? The old Cottonwood Saloon is no longer standing and Mr. Turner's hotel was torn down years ago, but residual energies could still be lingering!
Cody Swindall, a local realtor familiar with the old historical buildings on San Saba Avenue pointed out the Benchoff building as also being one of the oldest buildings from Menardville history. The Benchoff store building is also the location of the only photo of Tom Turner thought to exist. Although the store front looks completely different, the upstairs and side of the building are easily recognizable. I took a few pictures outside at night and got a light phenomenon, known as an orb, in two photos. You can notice that it's big enough to debunk it as being a bug. Who is trying to make themselves known? Through my research on Thomas Turner, I had an inkling that I might be related to him so I had my sister look him up in our family tree. Turns out that we are distant cousins from the Turners in Ireland. How ironic to be investigating your own family!
The Historic Bevans Hotel is now known as the Menard Manor. Mr. Bevans built this establishment in 1928 but it currently serves as a retirement home. None the less, current and former employees have several stories of ghostly apparitions and other strange tales. Betty Garcia stated (per her family), that in 1989 when she worked there, she had witnessed in the 2am hour, a smoke like mist coming from one of rooms that dissipated as it travelled down the hallway towards the nurse’s station. She informed the head charge nurse who just shrugged it off as "another naturally occurring ghostly phenomena." Betty also stated that when another nurse was opening the doors to the cafeteria in the early morning, she noticed a tall, dark man with an early 1900s suit and top hat standing there who almost instantly vanished. Could this be Mr. Bevans visiting his old hotel as well? Apparently, the basement is teaming with activity as well, since numerous employees have seen multiple shadow figures and the feeling down there is very creepy, as if someone is watching you. Sounds of cowboy boots walking across the floors can also be heard upstairs. Are these visitors of the past who stayed at the hotel on their way through town? According to Steve Roberson— who I spoke with at my next locale— the upstairs used to be a hospital and almost every employee that has worked at this location has had some kind of experience. He was a big help in gathering some of the history of old downtown Menardville.
I met him at the old F. Luckenbach building, which is one of the oldest buildings left in Menard. It was built in 1903 as a hardware store. Although the current owners, Burnham Brothers, haven't really experienced any ghostly activities, I felt as though the air inside was thick and the squeaks and creaks of the 118-year-old building apparently are very prevalent. Fritz Luckenbach was one of the prominent settlers of Menard and is buried in the Pioneer Rest cemetery locally along with Mr. Bevans and his family.
Cherry Swindall, from the Chamber, pointed me to the library to read a history book called the "Menard Anthology" and to speak to Sandy there. I did glance over the book to learn of some of the history. It seems our pioneers had immense difficulties when trying to settle here. Mostly Native American raids which included murder, scalping and thievery. Also, sickness and disease were a big part of coming to a new area.
All in all, through the multiple floods, fires and other perils Menard has stood the test of time and is still the friendliest community this side of the Pecos!