Tiskilwa author writes of ghostly encounters

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TISKILWA — David Youngquist of Tiskilwa is making a name for himself ... with the help of ghosts.

On July 26, Youngquist had his second book of ghost stories published by Coyote Enterprises. His newest book, “Ghosts of the Illinois Canal System”  focuses on ghosts happening along the Hennepin and Illinois and Michigan canals, from the Quad Cities east to Morris. His first book, “Ghosts On Interstate 80,” was published in Spring 2007.

Youngquist said he wrote his second book after being asked to do so by Bruce Carlson, his publisher at Quixote Press. For his research, Youngquist started with contacts in the Quad Cities area, where he grew up, and headed east.

“Just like with my first book, I was surprised by a number of the stories I heard,” Youngquist said. “People told me everything from haunted graveyards and crypts, to places right on the canal that seemed to be haunted. Some of the stories were pretty tame, but there were a couple, such as the ‘HELP Road’ story over by Ottawa, that made my skin crawl.”

Eight of the 18 the stories in his second book are set in Bureau County, Youngquist said. Area towns with stories in Youngquist’s book include Princeton, Tiskilwa, Buda, New Bedford, Spring Valley, Wyanet, Geneseo and Hennepin.

“What fascinates me about ghosts and paranormal phenomenon? Hmmmm ... Well, life after death first springs to mind, but I think it's beyond that,” Youngquist said. “We're taught there is only heaven and hell, but what if there is something beyond that?”

Youngquist said he’s had several personal “experiences,” like the time he was physically pulled from harm's way in an empty field when a horse went over backwards on him. Or the time, he was hit in the leg with a tennis ball thrown from an empty room.

“I’m not out to prove or disprove ghosts,” Youngquist said. “I’m just one of those people who know things happen, and I’ve seen things happen. For me, it’s not been about fearing ghosts, but more of the idea that I wanted to know more about them.”

Youngquist said he’s already submitted part of a manuscript for his third book of ghost stories to White Chapel Press in Decatur. He’s also finished a science fiction novel, which his editor is working on now, and is also working on a fantasy novel.

Youngquist’s books can be purchased at Green River Books in Princeton, Walden Books in the Peru Mall, Common Grounds Book Cafe in Utica or online at cgbookcafe.com.