BY THE JAVANATOR
The elevator in Weld where Marshall Brown first met the infamous Weld ghost.
The decades of mystery have been lifted from the old bricks, chalkboards and books that make up Weld.
English literature junior, Marshall Brown, says he’s met the famous ghost of Weld and partook in a lengthy conversation about the past and present students, professors and overall atmosphere of MSUM.
One evening Brown decided to walk around Weld to stretch his legs a bit. Little did he know, another walked with him in the dark hallways. He walked up the stairs to the second floor and heard a beep as a light appeared in the corner of his left eye.
The dark gold of the elevator doors opened. Thinking nothing of it, he took advantage of the convenience and rode up to the third floor. Suddenly the elevator stopped as if someone had pressed the emergency stop button.
“I didn’t know what happened,” Brown said. “I was confused, scared and intrigued all at once.”
These feelings didn’t go away after the ghost appeared in the small space, with nowhere for Brown to run. “I just remember being so shocked I couldn’t move,” Brown said, explaining his initial reaction to seeing the ghost. “You’re probably not going to believe this, but he’s real. He said his name is Larry Winshmire, and he used to be a janitor at MSUM.”
Brown doesn’t know why Winshmire decided to approach him that peculiar evening, but he shared a very intellectual conversation with the ghostly fellow. Topics ranged from how students have been influenced by new technology to various books Winshmire read.
“He is a very interesting soul,” Brown said. “He speaks in quotes of famous authors rather than speaking in his own words. I assume it’s because he has plenty of time to read in Weld.”
The Advocate staff has searched MSUM’s employment records, and although no past employee records matched Larry Winshmire, there is a possibility no records exist because of a fire that took place during the Great Depression.
On Feb. 9, 1930, a fire struck Old Main Hall and burned it to the ground. Student records were destroyed and employee records were possibly included in the ashes. Classes did resume the next week in Weld, the dormitory and the Moorhead Armory.
When the Advocate staff presented this fire information to Brown, a hint of connection appeared on his face. Brown was reminded of a particular part of Winshmire’s conversation having to do with fire.
“At one point when we were in the Weld library, I asked Larry what happened to him, and he replied, ‘All remains of fiery flame is eventually forgotten but never disappears,’” Brown said. “Perhaps this has to do with how Larry died and why he remains on campus.”
Although MSUM may never know for certain how Winshmire died or why he inhabits Weld, at least some of the confusion has lifted. Throw those rumors out the window – there is no ghost haunting Weld, rather he is learning at Weld.
Brown has tried to meet with Winshmire multiple times since their first meeting, but has had no success. In the history of the campus, Brown is the first person to report Winshmire reaching out for communication.
“At first I was afraid to tell anyone about Larry because I thought they’d think I was out of my mind,” Brown said. “Now, it doesn’t seem too unbelievable, huh?”