Ghosts of the Devil's House
Phantoms Reenacted a Murder in New Orleans
The Crescent City has many haunted places, including the one people avoided. It was the elegant mansion on 1319 St. Charles Street. They believed the devil once lived there. It was built in the 1820s because, it was whispered, Satan wanted a beautiful home for his lover, Madeleine Frenau. There were no servants or visitors, except for one man.
Seeds of the Haunting
According to legend, Satan was often gone, sometimes, for several days. Madeleine became weary of being alone. She found a new lover, Alcide Cancienne, a handsome, vain Creole. He often dined at the house, unaware she had another lover.
One day, Alcide encountered a dark haired man wearing a cloak and top hat. He asked him if he knew Mlle. Frenau. He replied she was his lover. The stranger laughed and said they were also lovers, but he was tired of her. If they would leave the house, he would give them a million pounds of gold, but they had to change their names to M. and Mme. L. When Alcide told her about the experience, she admitted the “L” stood for Lucifer. To leave the house would brand them as the devil’s couple.
Madeleine begged Alcide to take her away. He laughed at her and said he wouldn’t. He was also growing tired of her. She lunged at him and, before he could react, she wrapped a napkin around his neck and strangled him with such force that artery burst. Blood spurted, bathing the carpet and her clothing. She tried to wash it away all night, but it did no good.
When the devil returned home, she told him what happened. He chuckled, then threw Alcide’s body over his shoulder and grabbed Madeleine, took them to the roof and tossed them into the alley.
The Hauntings
The house remained vacant for years until a family moved in. They witnessed the ghostly re-creation of Alcide’s murder. They and subsequent owners didn’t remain long.
Charles and Laura Larendon moved in. They saw the phantom tableau many times, but got used to it. They loved the house and wouldn’t leave. Their baby daughter died there. Laura died soon after. Her husband remained and kept a detailed journal of his experiences.
The Jacques family moved in later. They often experienced the ghostly scene. In addition, an acrid smoke was smelled when no fire was lit in any of the fireplaces. Door knobs were twisted by invisible hands. Phantom footsteps were heard.
People who walked by the house saw something in the gable. Some believed it was a metal or stone head of a gargoyle. Others said it was the devil’s head.
Urban Legend or True?
Whether or not the devil really lived there is a matter of belief and debate. The legend, rationally, sounds too fantastic to be true. It could be that “Satan” was a human who called himself that to scare people, as others have done.
One of the problems, in dealing with the paranormal, is that people tend to use their imaginations and add to the story or simply make one up. It is likely that Madeleine killed Alcide and the ghostly scene happened. In addition to the Larendon journals, there were other witnesses. This would have been a haunting, energy imprinted on time and space. Unfortunately, the house has been demolished, so a current investigation is impossible.
Related articles:
"Mini Canal,” New Orleans Ghost
Source:
Haunted America, Michael Norman & Beth Scott, (Tor, 1994)
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