Haunted Mansion Stories- Tale of the Hatbox Ghost

A few lucky, longtime fans of the Haunted Mansion might remember seeing a ghost in the attic scene who carried a hatbox. His own head would disappear and reappear inside the box. He only stayed in the mansion for a short time...maybe 6 months. How his spirit escaped none now can say. But I give you now his tale.

Tale of the Hatbox Ghost[1]

Name: Donovan Scott

Born: 1829

Died October 28, 1871

            The morning was bright with promise for the residents of Gracey Mansion. Preparations for Master George’s wedding to Emily Cavanaugh were the topic de jour. Entering this maelstrom of activity was a man named Donovan Scott, a local milliner. Scott was honored to have been chosen to supply Miss Emily with her veil and viewed it as such an opportunity for his business that he delivered the assortment himself.

Donovan was directed to the attic where the bride-to-be was trying to locate Lady Graceys wedding dress. Try as they might, one veil after another failed to please. Finally, the 13th one was perfect. Donovan’s arms were about Emily’s shoulders removing the swath of fine lace when none other than Master Gracey himself entered. His eyes were on fire with maniacal jealousy but he calmed in the face of their explanations. George bade his fiancé to attend some details in the ballroom and promised to pay Mr. Scott for his efforts. As Emily glided out of the room, Master Graceys fingers grasped the hilt of a nearby ruby-hilted saber. With one swift motion he turned crying, “Paid in full!” and separated the haberdasher from his hat and his head. George then placed the man’s head in his own case of goods and dumped the body in the river.

It was afterwards said that Donovan Scott’s ghost could be seen in the attic, his head mysteriously appearing first on his body and then displayed atop the frills in his own hatbox.

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[1] Hatbox Ghost image by Dan Cichalski of DCProductions.com