Learn about McHenry’s grisly past with ‘Return of the Dead’

Submitted by McHenry County Historical Society

For one dark night only, several of McHenry County’s tragically departed return to describe the details of their demise starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the McHenry County Historical Society Museum in Union.

This year’s Historic Halloween Haunting recounts four cases of murder and mayhem — as told to you by the tragically deceased. They include the death of German immigrant Sarah Keiser, the county’s first murder that occurred in the summer of 1846.

Attendees will hear about an unsolved 1921 murder in Harvard, a woman who married the man who tried to kill her, and the bizarre death of a 13-year-old Algonquin girl in 1898.

This year’s cast includes Jana Thompson of Lake in the Hills, Peter Gill of Woodstock, Diane Urban of Marengo and Harvard resident Grace Gaffney.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. to the Eckert Hall auditorium, 6422 Main St.

Halloween refreshments follow in the historical society’s West Harmony one-room school.

Admission to the “Return of the Dead” program is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and students, free for historical society members. This program is not suitable for young children because of the subject matter and makeup.

For information, call (815) 923-2267 or visit www.GotHistory.org.