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We received the following report in June 2014
"Two friends and myself and were hiking the bush near the hotel and decided to stop for a beer after our hike. As we entered the hotel I removed a pack I had for the hike. Immediately the bellhop at the door, an elderly man with bushy hair took control of my pack and placed it on a big brass baggage trolley. I told him we were only going to the lounge for a beer. He said, "I'll keep your bag nearby sir,” with a Scottish accent. And that was pretty much it. We had a couple of suds and then left. I picked up the pack at the lounge entrance. It was much later when I read the ghost story of this helpful man and his devotion to the hotel. It was then when I thought about the man’s age and dress with a bell cap and all. And an antique looking red jacket with trim. He was quite old I thought for a bellhop as all the other ones were quite young. Pretty odd for modern standards. And it all came together after reading about the ghosts of Banff Springs that I quite possibly met Samuel McCauley.
Samuel McCauley was a long time devoted bellhop as I learned much after this incident happened has a tendency to haunt the place and help guests.
"Probably the most popular real ghost story revolves around the hotel's former bellhop, Sam McCauley. McCauley was a Scottish immigrant that worked at the hotel over the years. McCauley loved the hotel itself. He even told a few people that he intended to return to it even after he died. The story goes that the owners pushed McCauley into retirement in 1978. He went home and died before he had a chance to get his last paycheck. His story didn't end there though! Two years after Sam's death, two women became locked out of their room. They called down to the front desk for assistance. By the time someone arrived to provide aid, the women were already in their room. According to them, an elderly bellhop with white hair had come and opened the door for them. A real ghost?? There were no elderly employees of that description on the payroll. The ghost stories of Sam had only just begun. Reports still come pouring in of an elderly bellhop letting people into their rooms. He helps them with their luggage and some even report turning back to tip the gentleman, to find that he has completely vanished! One of many haunted places within the Banff Springs Hotel."
Our thanks goes out to the experient for sharing his experience with us. Have you experienced something that you think might be paranormal at the hotel or elsewhere in Alberta? Can you add any further information to this report? Do you think you may have also experienced a time slip? If so please do contact us at admin@psican.org Your privacy will be protected, and confidentiality is assured.
