Carl Crossman

In 1849, the famous poet Edger Allen Poe died in a Baltimore tavern. He was known for such works as “The Tell-Tale Heart”, “The Pit and the Pendulum” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”. Poe was buried at the Westminster Hall and Buying Ground in Baltimore. That’s where the tradition comes in.

Every year since around 1949, a mysterious figure in black dress, white scarf, and wide brimmed hat would leave a half empty bottle of cognac and three roses on the stone that marks his grave. The problem is that this year, the person did not show and has left people who are interested in this mystery bewildered. Many believe the person responsible for this long time tradition was a man named David Franks who died last week.

While the tradition is in jeopardy, there is hope that someone new will pick up the torch and continue to honor the great poet far into the future.