Applewood does not have its own spirit in residence. That doesn’t mean, however, that we don’t occasionally have a neighboring ghost stop by the Manor for a visit. The Montford neighborhood is one of the most haunted places on the planet. And a mere 400 human steps across lawns and fields is the home haunted by the spirit of sixty-one year old Mary Cooper, an accomplished pianist. Actually, if Mary had not stopped aging almost a 100 years ago, she would be 156 today. But in 1926, Mary Cooper met an untimely death. Her death was a mystery that competed in the news with Lindbergh’s solo transatlantic flight, and the mystery remains unsolved to this day. Was she murdered or was it suicide? Whichever it was, it was an unhappy end to her human existence, and she has stayed around just shy of hundred years in the home on Montford Avenue where it all happened. And there is no indication that her spirit has any plans of vacating her home anytime soon.
When Mary pays us a visit, guests report feeling a presence in the music room. She has never materialized visually as far as we know, but the piano music has been heard late at night when no one is there. At least one guest is alleged to have had a direct encounter with Mary. Of course, we have no way of verifying the account. According to the story, the guest had been unable to sleep and was alone reading a book around midnight when she claimed to have suddenly felt a cold draft in the room. Then there was the sweet smell of a lady’s perfume followed by an event that sent the guest flying back to her room. The event that frightened her was a piano key that was repeatedly depressed playing a single note over and over as if a person were standing next the instrument and tapping the key impatiently waiting for our book reader to leave. Our guest doesn’t remember which note was being played. Not that it matters, but it would be interesting to know. Maybe Mary was trying to tell us something.
If you are wondering why there are so many ghost stories involving the Montford neighborhood, apparently, you have the mountains to thank for that. Asheville is considered to be the Sedona of the East because the mountains are full of crystal, which makes many vortexes and points of crystal power. It is an environment that generates paranormal energy. Some have said that energy causes things in the mountains to die slowly—their spirits linger. And so it is with Mary Cooper. Her spirit lingers still.
So, if you hear our piano some late night, don’t be alarmed. It’s just our visiting pianist paying us another visit. Mary means no harm. She just loves to play her music.