The Enduring Mystery Of Theodore Lyman Wright | Haunted Rockford

Originally published in The Rock River Times.

Sometimes in today’s world it is hard to believe that a mysterious death would not have all the questions answered quickly. We have access to so much information online and there are so many forensic tests available to authorities that we often think that soon there will be no mysteries left. This is a falsehood of course. People die every day and sometimes, even with modern technology, their deaths remain a mystery.

The fact that a mysterious death occurred on the campus of Beloit College all the way back in 1926 and that no more is known about it today than all those years ago might come as a surprise to some people. It isn’t for lack of trying. People have been pondering, discussing, and writing about the events that unfolded on that October day for almost a hundred years. And still we are no closer to knowing the truth about how Theodore Wright died than those who found his body so many years ago.

The facts about Theodore’s life have been written about many times and are truly amazing. He was born in Beloit in 1853 and raised by his older stepsister, Clara. Teddy (as he was called) attended local schools and went on to college at Beloit and then Harvard. In 1887, he went to Athens Greece where he enrolled at the American School of Classical Studies. Teddy would serve as a professor of Greek Studies at Beloit College for over forty-five years.

He was a popular teacher and was held in high esteem by his students and in fact, most of the folks in Beloit. He was a well-known figure in town. He continued to live with his sister Clara in the family home on Church Street.

In fact, Clara would be one of the last people to see Teddy on the night of October 3, 1926. The two had dinner and then Teddy mentioned that he had some work to finish for a presentation for his class. He needed to prepare some stereopticon slides and left for his office in the North College (Campbell Hall). Teddy would never return to the house on Church Street.

The next day Clara called the Beloit College President Maurer to inform him that she was worried because Teddy never came home. Meanwhile, back at North College, French teacher Mary Gassaway was preparing for her own class. Ms. Gassaway knew Teddy well but from all accounts did not care for him. He was too liberal in her eyes.

When Ms. Gassaway walked up to the third-floor classroom and opened the door, she had no idea what she was about to see. Teddy Wright was there in her classroom, sitting on the floor with his back against the wall. He was completely naked and covered in blood.

The classroom was in complete disarray. Tables and chairs had been thrown all around, an ink bottle had been splattered all over the wall and papers were torn up. Theodore Wright’s shirt and starched color were neatly folded on a chair. Both articles of clothing were blood stained.

Teddy’s underwear was found at the top of the second-floor staircase in a puddle of blood and vomit. The puddle also had one single shoe in the center.

Back in the classroom, Ms. Gassaway noticed that Teddy was still alive. He was unconscious and his body was covered in bruises and abrasions. Ms. Gassaway’s first call was to a janitor. She asked to have the room cleaned in time for her French class. Then she called College President Maurer. Maurer immediately called a doctor.

Teddy never regained consciousness before he died so the real story of what happened to him has never been told. There has been much speculation and theories range all over the spectrum. Some argued that Teddy had been murdered and fought with his attacker. Others think that he had a stroke or a seizure and that is why he disrobed. A few folks thought that Teddy drank a poison and did not realize the effects that he would suffer before he died.

Teddy’s death caused great sorrow for everyone who knew him. The Wright Museum of Art on the Beloit College Campus was built to honor Teddy’s memory. Even though Beloit honored his life, the mystery of his death still haunts the town. Some folks even claim that Teddy is still in the halls of his beloved college today. Many people see Teddy’s apparition in different buildings. He had a distinctive mustache and manner of dress and match the description given by witnesses. Students and faculty alike have reported seeing a well-dressed man in different buildings on campus. Others don’t see anyone but have reported issues with lighting and the sounds of doors opening. They tell of hearing footsteps running as if someone was being chased. It is almost like Teddy is stuck in the last moments of his life with his death replaying itself.

In truth maybe, Teddy himself is unsure what happened. If he fell and hit his head or had a stroke that made him fall down the stairs, he might not have been fully aware of what was happening to him. Maybe, like the rest of us, Teddy himself is searching for the cause of his untimely demise.