Westminster’s 'Most Haunted' Number 4: The Old Opera House

If you haven't seen any ghosts around town then perhaps you're not looking hard enough. Carroll County has more than its fair share of ghost stories. Number four in this week's Most Haunted Countdown is the Old Opera House at 140 East Main St. in Westminster.

Known as “the Odd Fellows Hall” in the 1800’s the Opera House was frequented by townspeople of all classes.  Performances were often given by travelling actors, musicians or comedians. 

One night, travelling comedian Marshal Buell of Alabama turned is jokes toward politics, poking fun of President Grant and other government officials. 

While some audience members were amused by his humor, others were so displeased that they began to throw rocks at the stage.  Buell quickly finished his act and hurried off stage. 

The Sherriff met Buell backstage and offered to provide him with protection, telling him he could spend the night in a locked jail cell to ensure no harm would come to him from the rowdy patrons. 

Buell refused the Sherriff’s offer, preferring to leave immediately for Hagerstown where he was scheduled for his next performance.

As Buell was saddling his horse behind the Odd fellows Hall, he was attacked by the angry members of the audience.   They slit his throat from ear to ear. 

Since this fateful night, witnesses have continued to report seeing a ghostly figure gesturing and silently performing monologues in the yard behind the hall.

Buell, obviously dedicated to his craft, maintains that the show must go on at all costs, even after the expense of death.

This story was recounted from the Carroll County Ghost Walk Tour brochure, located on www.westgov.com. Visit the site to get more details and read about other haunted places in Carroll County.

Check the Westminster Patch tomorrow to see the third most haunted place in Carroll County.