Halloween brings out residents of yore

You may have an opportunity to see some of the folks from the 1800s and early 1900s at the museum on Oct. 26 in the evening. I'm not saying that I believe in ghosts, but I'm told that last year a few of the old timers could be seen wandering around Dayton on Halloween weekend. Wonder who we will see this year?

Fanny Hazlett said she would be back this year if the stars lined up right and the moon was full. Just so happens that the moon will be full, providing a good opportunity for all the spirits of the early days to be on hand. Just bet that James Ellis (1850s) will be around looking for his wife, Laura Ellis Dettenridder. Boy, is he going to be surprised.

Old James Finney might even offer you a drink out of his jug before he heads on up to Virginia City to visit his cronies. Henry (Pancake) Comstock will undoubtedly be peddling mining claims on his way to VC.

If you happen by the Carson & Colorado Railroad Depot on Main Street, you might see Chester and Helen Barton peeking out from behind the curtain. I've seen them on occasional trips by their house. Emma Nevada Loftus might even be outside her residence.

Any number of teachers may show their faces at both of the historic school buildings in the old part of Dayton. Heard tell Ola Rollins was at the grammar school at Shady Lane and Logan Alley. Bertha Scott and her husband will be entertaining Miss Bernice Johnson at their house. Oh, look out- old Bugbee may be wandering around with a stick of dynamite. He blew all the windows out of both schoolhouses last time he showed up with his dynamite.

If you listen carefully you might hear the ore stamp mills working. Walk near the dredge hole, and you might even see it working.

Anything is possible during the Halloween season here in Dayton. Keep an open mind and a sharp eye, and all these spirits may reveal themselves in person or in your mind's eye.

Come over to the Dayton museum on the eve of Oct. 26 and check out a few of the spirits.

The Dayton Museum is on Shady Lane and Logan Street in Old Town Dayton, and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Check the Web site: daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441.

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley meets at noon on the third Wednesday of the month at the Dayton Valley Community Center. Visitors welcome.

• Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987. She serves as a board member of the Dayton historical society and a docent at the museum.