The other side of urban legends.
There is no doubt that with the recent boom in interest with the paranormal, more and more people trespass private property to do their own investigations.
Inclusion in ‘Weird Ohio’ book has proven costly for the Duer family.
By Nancy Bowman
Staff Writer
Thursday, March 19, 2009
TROY — Melissa Duer says ever since the book “Weird Ohio” published claims that her family’s historic Staley Mill property is haunted, her life has been a nightmare.
She told a Miami County judge this week she’s had to hire off-duty deputies and spend thousands on an estate dog to protect the eastern Miami County property because of false tales of mass murder and hauntings.
“It’s a legend of my family … that is untrue,” Duer told Judge Robert Lindeman.
Duer filed suit last year, individually and for family trusts, against those behind the book and the Web site www.forgottenohio.com. Lindeman last week ruled “Weird Ohio” did not place the Duers in a false light, and there was no intent of emotional distress; and those sued had never trespassed or ever caused anyone else to trespass on the property.
This week’s hearing follows a default judgment for Duer in the claim against Andrew Henderson of Columbus and his www.forgottenohio.com Web site. Lindeman found Henderson did not respond to the legal challenge.
The judge will decide how much Duer should receive on her claims, including $1,920 for private security and $35,000 for the dog.
Stories published about the mill, the Staley family, and their history dating to the 1820s have attracted countless ghost hunters and the curious, Duer said. She is a descendant of Eli Staley, who built the Staley Mill, the oldest standing grist mill in the state.
“We have to be very vigilant, day and night … Even now, I am wondering if there’s anything going on out there,” Duer said.
Asked by lawyer Jeremy Tomb of Troy if she was aware of any ghosts on the property, she replied, “None whatsoever.”
She testified people have threatened her and her husband when they tell them to leave. Duer said her health has suffered from stress and anxiety.
Full source: Dayton Daily News
