Even journalists get scared sometimes

I love a good ghost story. Always have. I used to read Stephen King, Dean Koontz and others until the wee hours of the morning. They can really tell a scary tale.

But I never thought I would find myself in a ghost story, one that involves a man, a little girl and a paranormal investigation team.

When I first started working for the Nation in 2007, the Osage News was located in the “old Superintendent’s building,” which is basically a large two-story home the Nation turned into office space. It used to house the superintendents of the Osage Agency and their families and is rather stately. The home dates back to the early 1900’s.

Unfortunately, the home loses all its grandeur as soon as the sun goes down. The home is legendary among the Nation’s employees for its haunted rooms and basement. Everyone has a story, from maintenance staff to police officers, and they were all told to our staff the moment we moved in. We were told some doozies, I even think one story involved red eyes, so naturally we high-tailed it out of there at the end of the work day (we’re not the type to investigate strange noises or test things for kicks).

Throughout the years we had our share of paranormal encounters. We heard the obligatory “person” walking up and down the stairs, radios turning on and off by themselves, weird footprints in the upstairs hallway (we have pictures), sounds coming through the vents that sounded like conversations taking place in the house. One time it sounded like a man yelled at the top of the front staircase (that was fun … not really), but weird things only seemed to happen when we were alone.

I’m a journalist and naturally skeptical of everything, but I’m Osage first and was raised to know that there are things and beings out there that can’t be explained. I know to pray and to ask for help if anything is bothering me, or those I love, but above all else, do not get into a situation where any of the above is necessary.

But what if you’re putting to bed a newspaper that has to be to the printer by 7 a.m. the next day??? Thinking back, I should’ve gone home.

It was approaching dusk and I was the last person in the office. I was finishing up an issue of the Osage News and was in an intense email discussion about story placement with our designer at the time (we have a new designer now, and not because of this). I had my headphones on and was blaring my music on purpose so as not to get spooked by any strange sounds.

I had the door shut to the office with a chair propped against it (you have no idea how many weird things had happened to us by then) and I was anxious to get out of there. I was becoming very agitated because it was taking so long and I remember telling the designer (half jokingly) that if something happened to me it was her fault.

Then it happened. It began with vibrations of heavy footfalls around my chair. It felt like a 200-pound man was walking around inside the office. Then, instead of getting cold, it got very warm. I felt dizzy, almost sick. Instead of my hair standing up on the back of my neck it felt like it was blowing in a small breeze. Then I heard her.

Through the blaring music in my headphones, there was something else outside. I took the headphones out of the computer, instantly silencing the music and there it was. A girl, probably the age of 3, was singing outside our office door, loudly.

It lasted for only about six or seven seconds, but it was enough to scare the crap out of me. I calmly stood up, heart pounding; I grabbed my bag and removed the chair from the door. I waited for a couple of seconds with my hand on the doorknob (making sure she was done), and opened the door. I put my hand over my eyes, and only able to see my feet, I descended the stairs at the speed of light. I don’t even think I locked the front door as I slammed it behind me.

What happened to me spread like wild fire; I must have told the story about a 100 times. People came to me with urban legends about the house; a paranormal team from Oklahoma State University came to investigate. They recorded a creepy voice in the basement that said, “Get out” and caught various orbs on camera moving up and down the staircases (there are two).

We still have the evidence at the office. Anyone’s welcome to come by and listen. And yes, upon request we’ll tell you more stories if you wish, we have many.

I can’t explain what happened that night but I’ve prayed many times that whatever or whoever is in that house goes on to a better place. There are some people who think I’m lying, and there are some people who believe. But in any case, here’s some friendly advice, from me to you … don’t go in that house by yourself after dark.

Happy Halloween!