An evening in New Orleans isn’t complete without a ghost story or vampire visit, or maybe even a voodoo ritual or two. And while the brightly lit streets and revelry may keep these inhabitants of the night at bay when the sun goes down on Bourbon Street, there are plenty to hear about when you wander into the darkness of the side streets.
The ghost believed to haunt the property of Reverend Zombie’s Voodoo Shop is Francisco Gagnie. He was a carpenter hired by Andres Fernandez to complete a house started, but never completed, by his brother, Joseph Fernandez.
But things didn’t go well with Fernandez’s second attempt to get his property finished, and he ended up filing a suit against Gagnie on October 15, 1795, claiming he hadn’t fulfilled his agreement. Gagnie lost the court case and was ordered to pay a large sum–however, he didn’t have the money.
As is the case in most hauntings, Gagnie disappeared, apparently a victim of violence, never to be seen again after meeting with Fernandez. He was investigated by the Spanish Garrison, but no guilt was ever assigned to him. Their reports indicated the well at the rear of the property had been filled with brick and sand, but they never called for it to be opened.
Various reports of someone cursing in French, kicking on doors, and taking construction tools, convinced locals that Gagnie had returned. In fact, a 1999 resident, Ms. Moller, even claimed to have felt a hand grab her ankle while she sat on the edge of the well!
The full details of this story are included in the book, New Orleans Ghosts, Voodoo, & Vampires