105 FOLGER’S BOARDING HOUSE
719 Jenkin Street
This three-story boarding house, known locally as the “Curse House,” primarily serves MU students and travelers. The rooms are simple, with shared bathroom facilities on each floor. Room rental ranges between $40 to $60 per month. Folger’s serves breakfast between 6:30 am to 7:30 am daily, and locks the front door at 11:00 pm, although a key can be lent out with prior arrangement.
Bedbugs and other pests are problems for guests on the top floor. The landlord has previously paid to have an expert pest exterminator come in, but the problem seems to keep reappearing and won’t go away.
Notable Folk
Isaac Hoffman, 54, is the balding and overweight landlord, and a widower. He maintains and runs the place for David Folger, the owner, who lives in Salem.
Sarah Hoffman, 24, is the landlord’s niece who prepares breakfast and evening meals. Her favored method of cooking is boiling.
Historical
The building was originally the home of Hesper Payne, convicted of witchcraft in 1692. As she stood on the scaffold, she pronounced a curse on Arkham, promising vengeance from beyond the grave. Long-term tenants all know the story, as do the Hoffmans.
Strangeness
Some guests have experienced weird or nightmarish dreams while staying here. A few say they dreamt of Old Mistress Payne calling to them, while others describe a terrifying horned man lurking at the foot of their beds. Some believe the curse is not only behind the weird dreams but also the preponderance of bugs and pests lurking in the walls, ceilings, and beds.
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