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hours get-together with two of his friends in the bar. As they sipped their coffee, a loud bang at the other side of the room brought their conversation to a sudden halt. They saw a cannonball on the floor, rolling towards them. There was no hole in the ceiling, and nobody in the room who could have dropped or thrown it. When Johnson went over to pick up the ball, it vanished before their eyes. This was just one of the bizarre physical manifestations at the place. Napkins placed on tables at closing time would be lying unfolded on the floor in the morning. In the parking lot, lights and car radios would turn themselves on automatically. And on one occasion that seems all the creepier if you’ve ever seen The Ring, the cash register and wine racks flooded, even though there was no water leak anywhere in the building. Clearly, something bizarre was afoot at the General Wayne. Stories had been circulating for years about soldiers dressed in old-fashioned uniforms in the bar. Johnson had lost at least one frightened custodian because of these apparitions, but their presence wasn’t always threatening. After hosting a large party, he received compliments for hiring an actor in authentic historical dress to mingle with the groups and add atmosphere to the place. He hadn’t hired any such actor. |
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stealing rugs from a guest, and eight other Hessian soldiers—one of whom was killed and buried in the basement. Whether you believe the psychics or not, the General Wayne is party to far more weird goings-on than a regular bar. All in all, it’s no surprise that Edgar Allen Poe liked it so much he left his own mark on the place. He once carved his initials into an upper story window with a diamond ring. In the late 1990s, after Bart Johnson’s time, the General Wayne went through many incarnations—from Southwestern bar and grill to a sports bar--and finally closed its doors in 2002. Now only the ghosts remain, but they may soon have company. Plans are afoot to reopen the General Wayne as Chabad Center for Jewish Life. According to an article in the May 10, 2004 issue of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Rabbi Shraga Sherman believes that “Whatever negativity transpired in this building, the positivity and holiness that we're going to bring in will marginalize it and push it out the door." We hope so, Rabbi, we certainly hope so. You can read about all of Pennsylvania’s other haunted hotspots in Weird Pennsylvania. |