JACOB SMITH'S GHOST

JACOB SMITH'S GHOST (Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County) In the late 1800's, boat building was a major occupation along the Schuylkill Canal.  But minutes before a launch, a worker named Jacob Smith fell into the waters and never came up.  The launch continued on schedule, and the boat almost capsized.  Nothing more was made of the incident until 25 years later, when kids playing at Quarry Point spotted a spook.  Other folks took notice of the ghost, too, and even the ragamuffin youths stayed inside; they all knew it was Smith, and no one wanted to tangle with a distraught spirit.  We can't tell you if Smith is still around now or has gone to the light; the story was written up first in 1912 and passed on by the Coal Region History Chronicle.