Halloween Legend
Lafayette, indiana is no stranger to ghost stories. But in 1872, one event in particular put this town on the map of the most haunted places in indiana. The story of the White Wolf is still told around Halloween each year all over the town.
In the 1800s, one of the most influential newspapers in the area was called the Evening Courier. Early in the summer of 1872, the paper published a widely read article titled “Among the Spirits.” This story recounted an alleged dark, supernatural experience that occurred in the lives of William Lingle and his friends.
Lingle lived on a spectacular house overlooking the Wabash Valley, and had invited the town judge, a professor from London, and two reporters from other newspapers over for an evening visit. During this lively gathering, the men began to talk of ghosts and other unexplainable phenomena, as all were very interested in the topic.
Lingle’s tale of a haunted house that graced the site of an old abandoned yard of bricks garnered the most interest, so the men decided to go check it out themselves to see if they could spot any unearthly spirits or spooks. They arrived at the house after dark had fallen and inspected it carefully for any hidden passages. They found none; there weren’t any closets in the crumbling structure.
The men sat amongst the rubble and talked amongst themselves about the ghostly ghouls and goblins they hoped would come out of hiding. Finally, their patience was rewarded–after a couple of hours, a bright bluish light burst into the room. As the men watched in stunned silence, the light abruptly took on the form of a stunning, blindingly white wolf.
The wolf seemed unconcerned with the presence of his visitors, and lifted his head for a long, mournful howl. Then, before his audiences’ transfixed eyes, he transformed again, this time into a strange-looking creature that resembled a giant frog. While the men could do no more than gape open-mouthed, the creature took one final shape, that of a tomahawk-wielding Native American, then vanished before their very eyes.
The stunned group made the quick trek back to Lingle’s residence to retrieve a metal wand that one of the men had brought along. They then returned to the site that had transfixed them earlier. The professor, who quietly dabbled in the dark arts, drew a large circle in the dirt with the wand and sketched a series of mysterious images inside.
Once again, as the men observed in silent awe, the Native American, fiercely adorned in war attire, rose from center of the circle in a puff of smoke. The professor, to the shock of his companions, began a dialogue with the spirit in a language not known to any of the others.
After several unnerving minutes, the professor turned to his friends and translated that their ghost, in life, had been referred to as “White Wolf.” On his right arm was the clear mark of the frog-shaped creature the Native American had become earlier in the night. According to Native American legend, the animal came from western rivers.
The spirit, anguished, told the men of his peaceful burial in a reservation cemetery just outside of Lafayette. Before his spirit could be fully settled, development began on the city and his soul was brutally disturbed by the metal shovels digging into the dirt where he lay.
As two of the men that heard the Native American’s story that fateful night were reporters, it became headline news the next day, not just in Lafayette but all over indianapolis and the hoosier state. The frightening tale was published in the Evening Courier as well as other newspapers.
The Courier soon received an ominous letter from another resident of Lafayette, who had an employee of Native American heritage. The employee claimed to have conversed many times with the White Wolf, who told him his spirit would never achieve peace until there was a fence built around the cemetery that housed his grave.
The only way to find out for sure if these respected men of the community truly encountered the supernatural is to find out for yourself if the White Wolf exists. Head just outside of Lafayette city limits, on the northeast side of town, and pay a visit to the grounds of Sunnyside Junior High. The school now occupies the space that was once home to the tortured soul of the White Wolf–and might very well still be today.
If I went (and it's not far for me) I would try to fence in the cemetary so that White Wolf's spirit could be at rest. Just my first thought. RIP White Wolf. :~[
This is a moving Legend. My Father was known in his family as "Little Wolf" and his pet name for me was "Wolf Song". I can appreciate the Elders and their history. I wish to see a Chief of the Nations in the White House before I end my journey here on Earth. Then and only then will a portion of the pain, indignation, and wrong will be righted with our people.
That is very sad that they built a school on the burial grounds where White Wolf was buried :(
I have no doubt that soon there will be a Chief of our Nation! Indeed, maybe even with the name WOLF in it!
AHO!~
Ii'm from lafayette! Where is this graveyard on the northend?
This legend is about as scary as my grand baby!! It is a sad story that someone needs to fix. As usual, leave it to the whites too be insensitive enough as to build on sacred land!
My thoughts exactly Annabelle
Love the story! The fence was totally logical.
I have my own legend of a white wolf spirit. Many years ago, when I was traveling with a bunch of hippies, we were going to a drum event in the southwest, I am not sure weather I was in New Mexico or Arizona. The event was cancelled, and a spontaneous gathering occurred,around a mountain. The territory was being claimed by the Dine tribe and the Hopi tribe,and they were having a meeting of chiefs in a secret location near where the gathering was to hold a council about the sacred mountain. I was walking in the dark and kept seeing a white wolf, who seemed to want me to follow him or her through the forest. It was cold, so I brought some blanket ponchos with me, and I had some tobacco. I followed the white wolf to a place where a trailer was parked. The Elders were just arriving, and had not gone in yet. I believe they saw the white wolf. I approached them, they seemed cold, so I gave them each a blanket and some tobacco,which they were grateful for. They wanted me to attend the counsel meeting, but the other men there , hosting the meeting said I was just a hippie woman, and not invited. The Elders thanked me for the gifts and went into the trailer. The white wolf led me back through the forest to my camp and then disappeared. This happened about 21 years ago . I will never forget that white wolf. . I am going to get one some day, I know it.
GREETINGS!! ENJOYED ALL THE STORIES VERY MUCH!! WOULDN.T IT BE WONDERFUL IF WE HAD A INDIAN PRESIDENT IN THE WHITE HOUSE??WE WOULD SURE HAVE CHANGES. ...... WOLVES WOULD BE ABLE TO ROAM THE EARTH FREE , AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING KILLED BY THESE SPORT HUNTERS!!!! GOD BLESS !!!!!!
I would like to see a Chief of the Nations in the White House as well.
Are there any that would run though? I would think the Indians have too much sense to want that job?
Love the legend! Thank you for sharing it! I have always loved wolves.
I would love to see that for myself,it is sad that White Wolf cannot rest in peace they should build the fence around him and they never should of messed with the Native American's Sacred Land.........
I agree; this story is not frightening, but sad. I would say a prayer to the Universe (although I'm a Christian, myself) to please set this soul free and give him eternal rest in the love of his god or goddess. And speaking of Lafayette, there's a small town, not far away, called Battle Ground. There, you can see beautiful wolves at a sanctuary called Wolf Park. You'll love it.
Wow just read that story about a white wolf I love the wolves too.even though I neva seen one in the wild I feel an empathy! And wish there was a way too free them from these hunters from hell ! Just had a thought maybe white wolf and some more wolf spirits should frighten thos b-----y .hunters away .cause so many people are frightened of the supernatural.!!!
Beautiful stories all. It would be awesome if one day a Native should become president of this nation, but I don't think it will happen in our lifetime...we're not ready yet....the Wold is my Totem Animal, I've been owned by a few of them...Namaste'.
I have seen the white wolves and they are not a threat to anyone. The wolves are sacred and should be protected from harm. When I was was child I spent alot of summers on the reservation with an older man I became friends with as a young child. I have been through the sweat lodge and have faced myself. I am very fortunate to know who I really am. I got lost in your world but now know that I will return where I belong. Some of us are not as fortunate to be able to escape this world and go back to where they will find peace once again. There is no peace if you are not where you really belong.The wolf does exist in Layfayette and his grave should be fenced if it has not been.
I love your story. I hope you do get your very own white wolf someday.
wow
Need more infor
I have seen a white wolf,,,,,