New York Ghosts

22. Manhattan Bistro

New York, NY

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129 Spring St. New York, NY 10012 Manhattan Bistro is no longer open, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't have people talking. The tragic love story that led to the haunting began on December 22, 1799. Gulielma Elmore Sands and Levi Weeks had a secret relationship and were planning on meeting up that night to elope. She left the boarding home on Greenwich Street where she was staying, dressed for the cold New York City winter temperatures, and excitedly went on her way. Almost two weeks later, her body was found in a well on what is now Spring Street, and from the looks of the bruising around her neck, it appeared as though she was strangled. At the time, the media referred to it as the Manhattan Well Murder. Rumors were that she was pregnant and was killed because of it. Surprisingly, her family displayed her body outside of their boarding house. In the first court case documented by a stenographer, Weeks was charged for her murder on March 31, 1800, but was acquitted of all charges, and the public was furious. The case was never solved, and no one is positive about what led to her death. Weeks left the city and later died in 1819. In 1817, 129 Spring Street was built just short of the well, which was no longer visible by the time the restaurant was purchased in 1954. In 1980 after hearing all the stories of its presence, the well was uncovered in the basement. Many believe it is Sands who haunts the property. Bottles have flown off shelves from behind the bar, items have been knocked off tables, plates mysteriously fall to the floor and shatter, and strange noises are heard. Considering her tragic end, it's no surprise she would still be sticking around looking for justice. Credit: Hunter Shea http://huntershea.com/author/huntershea1/