By Nicole Bauman
The city of Stratford, Ontario, is typically known for its galleries, theatre shows and as the hometown of superstar Justin Bieber. But one far less attractive Stratford landmark is its haunted prison, inhabited by ghosts of some of the evilest prisoners. The chilling story of its most famous spirit is still told to this day, and the supernatural activity spreads even beyond Stratford.
THE LISTOWEL RIPPER
In 1894, the small town of Listowel, Ontario, just north of Stratford, experienced the worst murder it seen yet: the mutilated body of 13-year-old Jesse Keith was found beside a lake outside of town. Residences nicknamed the unknown murderer “The Listowel Ripper,” due to the terrible act’s similarities with those of the infamous killer, Jack the Ripper, who was still at large in England at the time. Because Jack hadn’t been found yet, many believed he had fled England to Canada and committed the crime. Unfortunately, Ontario had bred a killer of its own.
THE BLACK VALISE
The hunt for the 13-year-old’s slayer seemed grim until one detective found a black valise (an overnight bag) near the scene of the crime. In it, there were a pair of the victim’s shoes, bloodstained overalls and some woman’s clothing. The detective took the bag to residences in the area and asked if anyone recognized it or knew of its owner. One woman said she met the bag’s owner twice, describing him as a homeless looking man. The first time she crossed paths with him, he seemed polite and well mannered, but the second time, she said he was acting strange and was dressed in woman’s clothing. Other residences said they saw him mumbling to himself, clenching the bag tightly against his chest. Eventually, they gathered enough evidence and caught the culprit, Almeda Chattelle.
THE FIRST HANGING
It wasn’t long after Chattelle was found that he admitted to the murder. He was then locked up in Stratford’s newly built prison and sentenced to death by hanging. He was the first prisoner ever to be hung in the jail, and his remains were buried in the prison yard. While his remains may be at peace, his spirit apparently isn’t. Prison employees have spotted his ghost walking around the halls or staring through the windows from the prison yard, always with his black valise in hand. Sometimes, he is seen dropping the bag onto the ground, but no noise is heard.
THE GRAVE
Listowel’s Fairview Cemetery is the resting place of Jesse’s body, but like Chattelle, her spirit is far from gone. Residences nearby have seen a ghostly figure in a red dress emerge from behind her tombstone, skipping and dancing around the graveyard. Others have heard the sounds of a young girl whistling or singing as they walk nearby when no one is around. Perhaps the ghosts of Jesse Keith and Almeda Chattelle will haunt the small towns forever, either as a reminder of the horrible crime, or as a message to all that even the smallest towns aren’t always the most peaceful.