Burlington Bay Canal

Between the Burlington Canal and Northern mainland lies a stretch of dry barren sand, an almost treeless waste, part of which covers the original outlet to the bay. This no man's land is said to be haunted by the ghost of an unfortunate and neglected injured boatman injured by having his leg crushed as he helped unload a heavily laden stone boat when it was caught between the boat and the timber crib into which the stones were being thrown. The injured man was carried to an old house standing on a narrow strip of land beside the outlet, a former tavern, where he received scant attention or sympathy, he having been noted for his roughness

Finally his unceasing cries and groans attracted a gentleman passing, who sent to the village of Hamilton for a surgeon - the well known Dr. Case - who was forced to amputate the leg which the doctor gave to a fellow scowman named Wheeler, with instructions to bury it. After unbelievable suffering, Gem Horner died. An inquiry was called and Doctor Case instructed Wheeler to disinter and produce the leg as evidence. Wheeler, however, had not buried the leg. He felt that if Gem Horner died, as it seemed likely, he should have his leg placed in the coffin with him for fitting burial. To preserve the leg for this eventuality, he now admitted that he had placed the leg in a keg of whiskey. He departed to bring this. Wheeler returned carrying the keg. His face was puzzled, his burden was unaccountably light. An examination quickly provided the explanation. The keg produced a highly coloured, highly odourless leg but the preservative whiskey had vanished.

Finally the story came out. Three of Wheelers boon companion companies had seen him disappear with the keg and upon search had found it in hidden a way. Unaware of what the keg contained in addition to the liquor they had considered it an excellent joke to visit the hidden place several times, remove the bung and empty Wheelers keg for him, gleefully anticipating his surprise and chagrin and when he made the discovery. It was unnecessary for the court of inquiry to seek beyond the culprit who had confessed, for the guilt of the other two was plainly written on their blanched horror-stricken faces.

Until the House was raised, years later, wayfarers who passed in the night frequently swore that they had heard echoing from the dark dilapidated abode the bloodcurdling moans and cries of the dying scowman.

** Many thanks to Ed Thomas for finding this excerpt