On March 14, 2008 The Keystone Paranormal Team investigated The Knickerbocker, located at 115 West Erie Street in Linesville, Pa.   Prior to the investigation historical research was conducted on the original owners, Milo A. and Clarissa 'Clara' Wintermute Arnold.  

In the 1870, Linesville, Crawford County Pa, US Census, Milo Arnold, age 26 was single, born in Chautauqua County, New York and his occupation was listed as Hotel Clerk.   

In 1880 at 133 Erie Street,  Mr. M. A. Arnold, age 37, born about 1843 in New York was listed 'Keeping Hotel' as his occupation.   He is listed with wife Clara, age 32; daughter Rosie, age 6; and son Varnum J. Arnold, age 4.  Others living at this address were likely hotel workers and/or registered guests; Samuel McGuire age 23, his occupation was listed as Hostler indicating that he may have kept the stable or more likely Latin translation (worked in hospitality) for the hotel, i.e. front desk, etc.; Katie Hickey, age 21, servant; Eliza Cornelius, age 16, also servant; Hiram Parker, age 33, a painter; and J. I. Werfel, a sewing machine agent, age 33 (likely a guest at the hotel).  

The existing hotel at 115 W. Erie Street, then known as The Arnold House, was built and dedicated in 1882.  Being that the Arnolds' were the proprietors, it is likely that they also lived there in an upstairs family quarters to be available to their clientele at all times.  

In 1885, only three years after the completion of the new hotel, Mrs. Clara Arnold died of consumption, or what we know today as tuberculosis, at the young age of 37.  In those days the sick were cared for in their homes and attended to by family and physicians making house calls, so it is very likely Clara Arnold died at the hotel.  The following is from a newspaper clipping from the Linesville Herald:

DEATHS - ARNOLD - In Linesville, February 4, 1885, died of consumption, Mrs. Clara, wife of M. A. Arnold, aged 37 year, 4 months, and 13 days.

Linesville Cemetery records indicate that  Milo A. Arnold purchased a family cemetery plot consisting of 6 graves located in Section D, Row 44. These plots were purchased between 1880 and 1885, at a cost of $2.85 per gravesite.  Only two of the sites were used; one for Clara in February 1885 and another that is marked with a small unreadable stone, clearly indicating that Milo and Clara had a child who also died between 1880-1885 and is buried beneath this tiny stone marker.  

Milo Arnold remarried and moved his two remaining children to North East, Erie County, PA.  He sold the hotel to Mr. Joseph M. McGuire who remained the hotel proprietor, living there until his death in 1932 at the age of 83.   

Source Documents:

• 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 United States Census records for Linesville, Crawford County, PA and North East, Erie County, PA. 
  

• Newspaper clipping from the Linesville Herald, located at the Linesville Historical Society, Crawford Co., PA
  

• Gazetteer and Business Directory of Crawford County, Pa. 1874 page 204, page 337, and page 345. 
  

• LDS Family History
  

• HeritageQuest

• Linesville Cemetery Records
  

The Knickerbockers, members of their extended family, workmen and patrons have all reported seeing, hearing or sensing ghosts in the former hotel. The building was constructed as the Arnold House Hotel in the late 1870s.  It is currently open for meetings and private parties only.

Peg Knickerbocker, owner,  reports having seen what she believes is the ghost of a small boy ducking out of sight on the second floor. "He's there and he's gone, like he's playing hide-and-seek," she said.

Using a vast array of Infrared cameras, Audio and Video recorders, EMF meters, Motion detectors and much more, our team setup at approximately 10 pm and conducted an eight-hour investigation. During that time, we captured roughly 96 hours of video and over 40 hours of audio.

Throughout the night, we experienced the occasional “walking around” sounds on the floors above us, even though everyone was accounted for downstairs.

We had one of our cameras knocked over along with a cable spool.

New, fully charged batteries drained within minutes of use.

Meanwhile, our audio and video recorded everything they were setup to, in an attempt to capture and collaborate what we were hearing, but not seeing.

Upon completion, we packed up our equipment, bid farewell to our most gracious host, Peg Knickerbocker then departed.

After reviewing all of the evidence gathered, and there was quite a bit, we did not capture anything on the cameras other than our motion detectors activating (lighting up) when no one was around.

The digital audio recorders were able to capture what seems to be several good EVPs.

As for definite proof of paranormal activity, the spirits did not feel they were to perform on our command this evening and have eluded our investigative team and video cameras denying them undisputed proof.

 Of course, there are the many personal experiences of the entire team.  Those alone warrant further investigation.  

We are also very grateful to Peg & Myrle Knickerbocker for graciously inviting The Keystone Paranormal Investigations Team back for another opportunity to investigate the Knickerbocker.

  EVP #1      

All four of these EVPs were taken on the 3rd floor.

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