Writer: Craig Baird
Today, it is the story of the Dagg Poltergeist, which tormented a family in the Ottawa Valley in the late-1880s.
George Dagg lived with his wife Susan, their son John, daughter Susan and an adopted child named Dinah-Burden McLean. They lived quietly on their farm along the Ottawa River near Clarendon until everything changed in late 1889.
The first sign that something was going on was when animal dung was smeared along the floor of the farmhouse. A local boy was blamed but he wasn’t in the area when the incident occurred. Things began to escalate in the home from this moment on.
Fires began to start spontaneously both inside and outside the home. At one point, eight fires were started in the home in one day. Stones were thrown through windows, while water jugs, water basins, cream jugs, butter tubs and more were thrown around the house.
It seemed that the adopted child, Dinah, was the focus of the poltergeist activity. She could be found having conversations with the spirit in the woodshed. The spirit was also very abusive of Dinah but as news spread of the activity, the behaviour changed.
One witness said: “When the child Dinah is present, a deep gruff voice like that of an aged man has been heard at various times, both in the house and outdoors and when asked questions it answered so as to be distinctly heard.”
As it seemed the fame of the activity increased in the area, the poltergeist started to essentially perform for the crowds. This included playing music rather than be destructive. It even apparently got into a debate with a local reporter. It was stated that the reporter, Percy Woodcock, debated philosophy, theology and morality with the ghost. If the poltergeist got mad, it would slap Dinah, as well as kick and punch her. Eventually, Woodstock had to stop engaging with the ghost.
The spirit claimed to be the devil, but also a man who died 20 years earlier. At one point it was heard to say, “I am the devil and I’ll have you in my clutches.” Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the ghost appeared to leave.
Witnesses stated that before the ghost disappeared completely, its voice seemed to go from demonic to angelic and even joined in with them in singing hymns. Everything began to quiet down at this point, and the family returned to something resembling normalcy.
As for Dinah, she seems to disappear from history at his point. There are stories of her working at a farmhouse on a different farm as a teen. Then one day, a mysterious man called on her one night and she was never seen again.
Enjoyed the ghostly story? You can help Craig continue to tell wonderful stories about Canadian history by donating at: buymeacoffee.com/craigu
