Ghostly Happenings

The Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington D.C. may be haunted by Marian Hooper Adams , who committed suicide on December 6, 1885. She was married to the writer Henry Adams.  The staff at the hotel has seen locked doors fly open, have heard a woman weeping and feel as if someone is wrapping their arms around them.

Marian (also known as Clover) is to believed to have committed suicide by cyanide.  It is speculated, however, that her husband may have done her in.  Committing suicide by cyanide is a horrible and painful way to commit suicide, and women usually don’t choose to kill themselves in a manner that is body-wrenchingly painful.  This could be the reason that she continues to haunt the hotel- seeking retribution for her murder.  In 1885 officials may not have pursued a murder investigation, especially when the offender was a wealthy one.  Mr. Adams destroyed all of her correspondence and never spoke of her publicly again after her death.  He even omitted any mention of her in his book, The Education of Henry Adams.

The Obama family set up residence in the hotel yesterday, waiting for another hotel to be open, the Blair House, which is also haunted.  More about this haunting tomorrow!