Some bookstore employees enjoy eerie occurrences

MARSHFIELD -- Louie has a thing for plush stuffed squirrels, arranging
items to his own peculiar liking and testing the patience of the newer
employees at the bookstore where he supposedly takes up current
residence. The problem is, Louie has been dead since Nov. 1, 1977.
Marshfield Book World manager Amy Hagar swears he haunts her store.
The building at 315 S. Central Ave. was not always the home of Book
World. In the 1920s it was a grocery store. Eventually, it housed a
barbershop, owned and operated by a Louie Stroiber.

According to Amy, who has managed the store for the past two and a half
years, Louie died of a heart attack in the back of his shop. Currently,
that section would be at about the middle of the bookstore. Amy is a
firm believer that his spirit still lingers. One of his calling cards
would be the rearrangement of the stuffed animals that take up space
throughout the store. He has been known to knock books and magazines off
shelves when agitated. Employees also have heard footsteps in an
upstairs that has been sealed off for the past seven years.
"He tries to scare you just to get a rise out of you," Amy said. "Often
times, you'll hear him ruffling through magazines when you are alone. If
you tell him to stop, he'll usually stop."
While flying books and levitating magazines have not been captured on
the security camera, Amy claims that several times hovering black spots
have appeared on videotape. Paranormal investigator Chad Lewis has
discovered hot spots and cold spots in the store. Linda Godfrey, author
of books chronicling the sightings of Wisconsin's werewolf, the Bray
Road Beast, especially enjoys her visits to the store.

"When Linda comes in she is always taking pictures," Amy said with
amusement. "She loves it here. She'll wander around trying to make
contact and capture Louie on film."
Louie had a particular liking for a large plush squirrel about the size
of a small dog. When the toy squirrel was sold, a rash of magazines and
books began to fall off the shelves. Employee Will Vancil observed
magazines flying off the racks as he went to shut off the lights at
closing time one night. Amy has since replaced the squirrel.
Will reports that Louie has been slacking in his ghostly activities as
of late. This is perhaps due to a lack of new hires.

Amy clearly is fond of Louie and takes delight in his antics. A
life-long believer in the paranormal, she claims to have once lived in a
residence in East Troy that was haunted by the previous owners.
I strolled among the aisles after my interview with Amy. Besides the
milky strands of fake cobweb seasonally draping surfaces and aisles, and
cardboard jack-o'-lanterns and black cat cut-outs, nothing seemed
particularly haunted. I did feel more aware of the stuffed menagerie
perched and staring at me with plastic eyes. I even stood on the spot
where the heart attack occurred. No weird vibes or premonitions on my
part. The only thing I felt was a desire to walk across the street to
the Daily Grind for coffee and a Reuben sandwich.

I see and absorb nada when it comes to the supernatural. Maybe that is
as it should be. I am fascinated by ghost culture, but am not sure I
would handle an encounter particularly well. I liken it to the fact that
while I enjoy the "Godfather" trilogy, "The Sopranos" and films such as
"Goodfellas," the idea of hanging out with mobsters and hitmen lacks a
certain appeal.

As I walked out of the store, I paused to gaze up at the window of the
sealed-off top floor of the building. Parted curtains and a basket of
faux flowers remain by the window. I find that to be the most eerie
detail of all. Perhaps the ghost of a barber or even earlier occupant
does indeed haunt 315 S. Central. Maybe it is just mixture of
electric/magnetic energy and barometric pressure occasionally going
haywire. I simply enjoy mystery and welcome the unexplained.

Should you visit Book World in Marshfield keep an eye out for falling
books and listen for footfalls above. One other thing: Don't mess with
the squirrel.

Troy Schoultz is a columnist for the Marshfield News-Herald, freelance
writer and published poet. He can be reached at mrscamp@yahoo.com or
715-207-0248.