The Ghosts of The Candlelight House – Franklin, Indiana

by on

Reported Anomalous Activity:

Owner Adam Eichhorn wrote in to the paranormal podcast Kinda Makes You Think. We share his story on Episode #4.

Our Investigation:

March 17, 2016

Activity: 

• Shadow people

• Footsteps & knocking

• Disembodied voices

• ITC responses, including EVPs & spirit box replies

Video:

Media

www.indychannel.com 

(Circa 1868 Greek Revival/Italianate home, 5705 E 100 North, Needham Township, Johnson County, Indiana)

 

Historic Information

Owens Cemetery :

Located on property

Historic Notes Home, Farm & Family 

• Built in 1868 by John and Mary Owens. John died before home’s completion and never lived in house.

• Facebook album posting/description by Victorian Elijah Thomas Webb Home below:

“It is a house that was built in 1868 for John Owens Sr. John Owens was the son of James Owens who received the 160 acre parcel from the US Government on March 5 1830. This house has always remained in the Owens family. We own it now and my husband is an Owens Descendant. We have John Owen’s will in our possession which is part of the abstract. John Owens died in 1868 before the house was completed. His will specified that the house was to be finished before any of the remaining money was distributed. The house is for sale and is located in Franklin Indiana at 5705 E 100 N and sits on 2 acres… It has 6 fireplace mantels, 8 closets, wrap back porch, herringbone brick floor in cellar, 2 sided fireplace in kitchen & dining room, 7 exterior doors, pantry and National Register eligible. interior is original and woodwork intact. no plumbing, no bath, no electric, city water & natural gas available. needs complete restoration.”

 

• Interesting comments regarding on oldhousedreams.com:

“… my family has been in Franklin since 1924 and I know this house well. This was an early farm in the area. The wealthy farmer built this place and had 6 or 7 kids. Three of them never married and continued to live together in the place for the rest of their lives. The last spinster died about 1950. She will the house and farm to the next door neighbor who had been farming the land and looking after them. The house has never been inhabited since the original family died out 60 years ago. The spinsters never updated the house either. I was surprised to see the listing say 1 bathroom. According to local lore indoor plumbing was never put in for either a bathroom or kitchen. You can still see the outdoor hand pump in one of the photos. Towards the end they did put in a bit of electricity. You can see a few conduits and outlets tacked to the walls. There is absolutely no wiring inside the walls and most rooms are not electrified at all. The farmer who owns it lives across the road so every week he would come over and mow the yard, so the setting is beautiful and has always been maintained. And yes, he did replace the roof.”

“Time capsule is quite appropriate in this case with the understanding that term means the passage of time has tread very lightly in this house. Ghosts? Wouldn’t surprise me in the least. While I appreciate the historical context provided by the listing, some elements in this house seem to pre-date the Civil War. The return gable ends harken back to the Greek Revival style as do some of the other details in this house. It would not surprise me to learn this house was “Italianated” around 1868.”

 

• Children of John and Mary Owens (according to 1860 Census Record):
Jane, Samuel, James, George, Margaret, Minor, William

•From Ancestry.com “Owens Farm Family Tree”:
Samuel Owens and Elizabeth Webb are John’s grandparents.
James Owens (1798-1868) and Mary Ann Settles (1781-1828) are John’s parents.
John’s siblings are Sally, Samuel, Elizabeth, Julia, Margaret, William, Mariah and Nancy.

• John married Mary Polly Fisher. Their children are George, Margaret, John, Minor, Catherine, Jane, Samuel, James and William.

•McBride graves in Owens cemetery linked to Nancy Owens, daughter of Samuel Owens (John’s brother), who married Theophilus McBride. (Also see cemetery note below.)

• Children of William T. Owens and Cordelia (Patterson) Owens (according to 1920 Census Record and Cordelia Owens’ obituary in Franklin Evening Star, 8/13/43):
Arthur Owens, Alpha Owens, Lena Owens, Mrs. Otis (Iva?) Kinnick, Mrs. Oscar (Carrie?) Scott, and (Anna) Mary Pritchard (Arthur, Alpha, Lena the single siblings described above?)

• Otho Henry Pritchard (1909-1995, buried Second Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Franklin) is Mary Pritchard’s son, grandson of William and Cordelia (Cora) Owen, and great-grandson of John and Mary. Otho was the last Owens descendant to live on the property. It was during his days that the legend ofThe Candlelight House was born. Even in the early ’90s, the house remained primitive without plumbing (it is said Otho died shortly after falling coming back from the outhouse), and  only three rooms had electricity. Beyond folks that knew Otho lived in the house, to the rest of the world it appeared to be abandoned. So as Otho used candles or lanterns to move throughout the house at night, from the road it gave passerbys a “ghostly” impression.

Did the ghost of Otho Henry Pritchard scrawl his name on this window pane?

• Mary Pritchard (1882-1945, buried Second Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Franklin) is the widow of William Pritchard (according to funeral services brief in Franklin Evening Star, 7/10/45), and mother to Otho.

• From William T. Owens’ (1855-1899, buried Second Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Franklin) obituary in The Franklin Democrat, 3/17/1899:
“Wm. T. Owens, son of John and Mary Owens, was born April 22, 1855 at the old homestead about four miles east of Franklin, where he has since lived. He died there March 9, 1899, at 11:30 p.m., aged 43 years, 10 months, and 17 days. Out of a family of nine children only two survive. He was left without a father at the age of thirteen but his mother lived in the home with him until 1895, when she was called away. He was married to Cora Patterson, Jan. 28, 1880. To them were born six children, five daughters and one son. These, with his wife and a host of relatives and friends are left to mourn his loss. He had been afflicted with Bright’s disease for the past ten years, of which he died …”

 

• From Mary Owens’ obituary in The Franklin Democrat, 3/17/1895:
“For many years her son W.T. Owens, and family have lived with Mrs. Owens in the home place.”

• John and Mary (Fisher) Owens noted as “early settlers of this county.”

• James Owens, John’s father, came to Johnson County about 1830, and here entered a tract of government land, to the improvement and cultivation of which he devoted his attention and there spent the remainder of his life.
— According to “History of Johnson County, Indiana” by Elba L. Branigin, 1913

• According to historic landowner maps on HistoryGeo.com, James Owens acquired 160 acres (sale date of 1820/patent date of 1830) in the area of N. 500 E. and E. 100 N. When area viewed in a “real time” Google map, appears to be same locale of home, (Noting nearby streets Jeff Drive and Evelyn Avenue for reference) verifying note of acquisition of land from father James.

  

Owens Surname and Other Surnames

(List of burials in the family cemetery.)

Eddie H. Owens (?-1865) 1-year-old son of J. and J.A. Owens
Infant Owens
Jane Owens (?-1862) 25-year-old daughter of John and Mary Owens
John Owens (1816-1868), 52
Mary Owens (1812-1895), 83, widow of John Owens
Samuel B. Owens (?-1863), 23-year-old son of John and Mary Owens
Simon M. Owens (?-1863) 11-year-old son of John and Mary Owens
William Owens (?-1865), 7-year-old son of J. and J.A. Owens
Willis Owens (?-1865), 2-year-old son of C. and G. Owens
Other Surnames
Nora Farlow (1859-1893) Sister of Mrs. Robert Whitacre and Niece of William Farlow
Clara McBride (?-1870) 2-year-old daughter of T. and N. McBride
Samuel L. McBride (?-1878) 5-year-old son of T. and N. McBride
John H. Tetrick (1841-1865) Military, 23-year-old son of Joseph Tetrick and Elizabeth Owens Tetrick

So many of these names are common to different family lines, can’t verify if it’s the same or any relation at all, but thought this story was interesting. Would these mentioned landmarks be close?:

“One Sunday morning Daniel Covert heard a strange noise in the distance and went to investigate. It led him into an Indian camp. They were at their devotions, and motioning him to a seat, he heard them sing hymns and utter prayers in their own tongue. They are supposed to have been the same Indians who had before that camped on Sugar Creek. A young Indian hunter, belonging to the same band, was accidently killed on Sugar Creek, and buried at the roots of an oak, still standing on the bluff, between John Owens’ house and the bridge. While “tire hunting” on the creek one night, he was shot by one of his own band by mistake. His comrades made a trough of an ash tree into which they put his body and covered it with a slab. Over his grave they set a post, as tall as a man, which they painted red, with a cross-piece painted black. The grave was enclosed with ash palings, driven into the earth.”
— from “History of Johnson County, Indiana. From the Earliest Time to the Present, With Biographical Sketches, Notes, etc., Together with a Short History of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the State of Indiana” by David Demaree Banta, 1888.

  

Also:
From information given by a psychic that went into the home, she named a Sarah and Mimi: Cordelia Owens’ mother was named Sarah. (Her father was William Henry.) No one has come across a Mimi, but it is sometimes a nickname for Mary or grandma.

For more information: candlelighthouse5705@gmail.com

Find them on Facebook & Twitter

 

This was an exciting investigation. Not only was it a fantastic location, but the owners are wonderful too. We felt like we got more than a few validations of their story and claims of activity. I look forward to many more nights at The Candlelight House getting to know its history and the ethereal residents that still call it home. 

— Evel Ogilville

 

See more of The Candlelight House:

Voices From The Candlelight House – Franklin, Indiana 

The Hauntings of The Candlelight House – Franklin, Indiana

A Haunted Afternoon with RTV6: Featuring The Candlelight House

Candlelight House Highlights

The Candlelight House — 2018 Halloween Livestream

Candlelight In Dark Country

Halloween 2019: The Candlelight House

Reverse Speech Steve’s Box vs The Candlelight House — Franklin, Indiana

35 Comments

  2. I think we need to set the record straight…this house WAS lived in by a man named Otto Pritchard whom I visited regularly as a child along with my cousins who lived right next door. Otto did not have electricity so he used a candle most of the time. Many times young kids looking for trouble would come late at night and terrorized this poor old man. One time someone even shot into the house and as far as I know the bullet hole is still in the stairs.. This is how the “haunted house” thing got started…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Absolutely. That is the exact story told by the owners. His name is actually Otho Henry Pritchard. So you knew him when you were little? That is so neat. What was he like?

      Like

      Reply

      1. My name is Bill Fleener we grew up in the house next door to Otho’s. He was a smart very active man, would play games with us could tell you many stories. If you want contact me.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. He was a very very intelligent individual. He would give us neighborhood kids ride on his tractor and in his hay wagon. So many times my dad and Uncle, who lived next door to Otho, would have to chase tormentors away…he did have a phone…he would ride his tractor in town to get his food…He never ever bothered a soul. He was kind….He was silly at times…and he was a genuine good person.

        Liked by 1 person

      6. So Melody, so from what you’ve mentioned, & a few others, although Otho’s name was legally Otho, he pronounced it, or just went by Otto? That correct? If so, it wouldn’t surprise me. Thanks again

        Like

  5. love this house, so wanted to buy it when it went up for sale, would live in it and enjoy the company, no need for electric, just live like the owens family did, My dream home.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Hi Otho pronounce his name Otto. He was very smart for a man of his time. He only had a telephone in his home until late in his life, when some electricty was crudly place in a couple of rooms. We grew up next door. I can remember as far back as 5 years old hanging out with him. He was a kind man. Later I help him farm his land. He use kereosene to cook and light his way. He heated his home with coal. One of your video clips post the “F” word being use. Otho NEVER use that kind of language. I can’t speak for any of his other family. I spent many a night in that house and he would come to ours to watch TV. I don’t want anyone painting him in a bad light! thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hey Dean! Great to hear more & more people coming forward with memories of Otho. The overall feeling of the house was positive, not negative at all. And since there seems to be no dark history on that property (that I know of), I personally had no reason to believe that the F-Bomb that came through was him. First off it sounded like a female voice, second of all, there is nothing that specifies that only spirits that may be attached to or visit that property would come through. In other words, the cussing could’ve been from some jerk spirit just popping in & popping off. Thanks for your input!

      Like

      Reply

  7. Hi Otho pronounce his name Otto. He was very smart for a man of his time. He only had a telephone in his home until late in his life, when some electricty was crudly place in a couple of rooms. We grew up next door. I can remember as far back as 5 years old hanging out with him. Later I help him farm his land. He use kereosene to cook and light his way. He heated his home with coal. One of your video clips post the “F” word being use. Otho NEVER use that kind of language. I can’t speak for any of his other family. I spent many a night in that house and he would come to ours to watch TV. I don’t want anyone painting him in a bad light! thanks

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. I grew up right across the street from this house. He was a very nice old man. We would have people knock on our front door and ask us if anyone lived there because so many wanted to buy the house and fix it up. It is beautiful! He died when I was a junior in HS.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. Thanks to this RIDICULOUS Haunted house claim our quiet neighborhood has become a circus for people wanting to see the “HAUNTED HOUSE” ,,,,,,, PEOPLE THIS HOUSE IS NOT HAUNTED….THIS IS RIDICULOUS…. Now watch the looting and destruction of this old homestead begin!!

    Like

    Reply

      1. Hey Brandon, email the owners at candlelighthouse5705@gmail.com. I believe Melody’s comment is a result of the house being broken into last night. What she doesn’t understand is how much the paranormal community brings to preserving & restoring historical locations all over the US. And that’s the objective of the current owners. Their place had been broken into before, long before our investigation & posting. So trying to hang the ignorant actions of some vandals on our video is ridiculous as well. I didn’t have to approve her comment, but I actually think it can lead to a constructive conversation.
        Good luck & best wishes

        Like

      2. What you do need to understand as a child I remember sheriffs deputy setting in the area due to people trying to break into or stopping on the road and shooting at “The Candle Light House.” Several of my family standing guard to protect Otho. So to say this video won’t rekindle this type of violence. Is not totally true. I believe that is Melody’s (my cousin) concern. I’ve been in law enforcement for 30+ years and when you peek people’s curiosity they will come. The curious and the idiots. Sadly it’s the world we live in, yet what you did is interesting.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Dean, I certainly agree to a certain extent, I really do. But hopefully as the owners continue to seal up & improve the property, it’ll help deter the crazies. And thanks on the video compliment. I get such a charge going into historic locations (haunted or not), & I try do so with utmost respect. It’s been a real treat to see so many come forward with their memories of Otho. All the negative or creepy thoughts that a “haunted” house can conjure doesn’t always have to translate to scary. The vibe in the house is positive. It’s a beautiful place. And if any of the Owen’s family is hanging out there or just visiting, I’m sure it’s a fond attachment they hold onto.

        Like

      5. @Paraholics I just sent them an email about photographing the location. If I am able to i will certainly provide the images to you if you would like to share them on your blog or use them for any non commercial use. My goal is for them to allow me to bring a model in to shoot there.

        I haven’t done this type of model shoot before, but if you would like to see some of the work I have done you can view it at http://www.creativeguisephoto.com. Also on that site there are links to my social media outlets that shows some more recent work.

        Thanks so much for your help. 🙂 If you have any other places around Indiana with similar beauty, I’d love to hear about them. 🙂 brandonguise07@gmail.com

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Since our investigation of the Candlelight House we have been contacted by several people that lived near or visited the gentleman who last lived there. Because of the nature of their comments and relationships with him I feel compelled to stress something which should be of comfort to them. When we go into a place such as this we do so with the utmost respect for the people who lived there. Despite what you may see on television most, no, all good investigators approach spirits with the same respect, sincerity, good manners, and care as they would have when the person was alive. To do any less would go against everything we stand for and believe in. In my case I am a 70 year old retired police officer with 36 years of service. I agree with my brother in blue that attention can bring problems but as I read about past vandals and people shooting at the house it appears the very age of the house has brought about problems before. The family that bought the house put their hard earned money into it and plan on putting much more to restore it. Give them a chance. It may turn out to be what the people who built it long ago wanted it to be.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. One thing about legitimate investigators, if they are investigating an abandoned home as such, no one is breaking in or vandalizing. I have actually been asked to investigate certain homes on Halloween night because the owner knew no kids would be doing their usual grafitti and such. Does it bring attention. Yes, I won’t deny that but it also brings funds needed to fix buildings up, pay for security systems and pay property taxes.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. Hello , Mimi Fisher, was married to Samuel Owens , John Owens brother . Mimi was my 2 great-grandchildren mother’s sister . I bet Mimi lived in that house .

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  13. I lived just about a mile away from this house just a few years ago. My grandfather lived just a few houses down from the junk yards and I visited him many times throughout my life. He never really spoke about the home. I’ve passed it so many times over the years and seen people looking at it and always wanted to know the history of the property. This article and all the comments have been a wonderful read. I love history and learning about local homes from the early settlers. Until this article came up, I’ve never seen inside the house or know anything about it. Thank you so very much for sharing this information and history of this house. It’s a wonderful resource and very informative. Keep up the wonderful work and God bless you

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  14. I live on a farm close to this place and remember the old man driving a tractor to town to get groceries. I drive by this place twice a day and have noticed that somebody is building a pole barn or pole house just east of the old house. I remember seeing light in the house on occasion when I was young. I don’t know if I believe it is haunted or not but it is a unique piece of local history. I hope the new owners can maintain it’s historical value and I wish them the best.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  15. Hi my name is Tom Mitchell, I grew up in Franklin on Forsythe, St. Had friends just north of Otto. Two friends and I stopped by his house one evening. We weren’t doing any thing wrong. We had seen Otto or Henry as he called himself to us. But I can say this about Otto he was a very nice man and a gentle soul. He told us of his child hood and showed us his School books from his younger days. I think he was a very pleasant man.
    I just lost a friend that reminded me of the story of him. My friend lived with his mother and aunt his whole life. He never had a wife or girl friend . he was like Otto in many ways. He would take the kids around the area rides on his old 8 N ford tractor. He was kind hearted like MR. Prichard. I went to school with some of the Fleener kids. They were a good bunch! I would love to talk to the owner sometime and see if I could metal Detect the place. I wouldn’t bother any thing. I just enjoy detecting.

    Like

    Reply
  17. Pingback: Reverse Speech Steve’s Box vs The Candlelight House — Franklin, Indiana – PARAHOLICS®

Leave a comment