Book excerpt: Read this chilling collection of 78 ghost stories from throughout Indiana. When settlers first came to Indiana before 1800, the Miami, Delaware, and Potawatomi tribes who already inhabited the region had a long tradition of stories about tragic death and haunting spirits. Pioneers, the builders of Indiana canals, villagers, and city dwellers added their own tales of mansions where sad deaths occurred and where spirits walked, and of murderers and kidnappers whose foul crimes seemed to be punished from beyond the grave. These traditions have been passed on to us today, joined by modern folk tales that raise the hair on the head and startle the imagination. Journey to Hazelcot, the deserted dream mansion in Whitley County; to the forsaken and frightening tomb of riverboat captain Francis McHarry along the Ohio, where ships to this day toot out their homage to avoid the ghost’s curse; and to the bridges near Avon, Indiana, where who-knows-what will occur during Halloween. These carefully researched and truly frightening tales by Wanda Lou Wilis, one of Indiana’s most popular folklorists, will provoke and amuse even the most skeptical reader. Inside you’ll find: 78 ghostly tales about folklore and spooky sites Stories arranged by county Maps and directions to the haunted locations Historical information about the counties Do ghosts still walk the roads and trails of the Hoosier heartland? Find out for yourself with Haunted Hoosier Trails.