Maxinkuckee's Haunted House - McQuat Cottage  

By Frances Epperson Winslow

There is a small, white, green shuttered cottage overhanging Lake Maxinkuckee, that has been called, "The Haunted House"

How and when it received its names is not clear.

It is a very old place and the owner, Robert McQuat, left it closed for several years.

The belief that it was haunted grew from the natives, who prowled the premises, and that may have started it, as they reported strange noises and "goings on".

The house, at the time the tale started was isolated in a grove of virgin timber. It was not close to other cottages and this added to the mystery and confusion.

Under the front porch, which stretches lenghtwise, grow small willow trees, that dig their tenaclious roots into a rocy shore, and wave an thereal fringe above the crystal cler, blue water below.

The house is long and narrow. FOur rooms march in Pullma formation across the front. They are seperated from the orderly procession of back rooms by a long narrow hall, which has had a bath installed in the end since plumbing became the vogue.

Most of the rooms have outside doors, and these gave spying eyes great cause for speculation. Ir one could not be opened, there were others to try, and they were often found ajar.

A few years ago the sone of the original owner decided to reclaim his house. A caretaker, who served many cottages , was asked to clean the place. One fine day Mr. McQuat came with four guests and a cook.

Among the guests was a young attractive widow. She was petite, had golden hair and blue eyes. that danced when she smiled . Her sisposition was sunny and cheerful. She not only filled the cottage with "sweetness and light" but walked into the heart of its owner.

A declaration was made. There was a protest. Bob was determined and Edith wavered. Before the houseparty ended, the fair lady had become the mistress of the haunted house, and did not know its curse.

The natvies whispered and were worrred. Finally, one brave soul told her the story of strange noises and open doors. Such nonsense was laughed at. Didn't they realize that any old house would creak and groan, and that only human hands left locked doors ajar?

The job of reclamation was tackled with a will. Boards were nailed into place, shingles where set right, loos shutters were fastned, and through it all the fair Edith laughed, as the house became silent when the wind blew and the rain came in torrents. She swpet, dusted, painted and redecorated. Everything was made very fast, neat and secure. The valuable antiques werereclaimed and upholstered.

A fresh lake breeze raced through the doors and windows, and a cheerfil personality blew out of the house all of the cobwebs of superstition and fear. The return of the owner, and his newly found happiness banished the story of "The Haunted House".

NOTE: The cottage above is the Robert McQuat house located on the east SHore. It was named by Mrs. McQuat's mother Bonnie Doon Cottage. - 15 Jul 1942