Master of the House
William Gracey was born to George Gracey and his fussy but devout wife Abigail on Halloween night 1876 in upstate New York. As a child, William grew up in the family's winter home in New Orleans and heard of the stories about its past from the staff. After William came of age, he went to the finest schools - both Harvard and Yale, remarkably. Upon his 21st birthday, he inherited the family fortune after his father’s tragic accident.
Upon landing in New Orleans, William wanted to find a new home for his shipping business in New Orleans. William moved in shortly moved into the family winter home, working now on returning the mansion to its former splendor. It only took months to repair the mansion. In time, life returned to the once forgotten manor.
Obsessed with learning about the mansion's past, he sought out mediums to exorcize the mansion. One day, while strolling through the bustling marketplace of the French Quarters, he came across an old curiosity shop owned by clarvoint. Madame Leota, to those who knew her best, was a psychic. Her only true talent was communication with the dead. Being instead in spiritual contact, he regularly turned to her for advice, becoming good friends with her in the process. Together, they held seances to contact his deceased parents.
Time passed, and soon the Gracey Winter Home was nicknamed only jokingly applied to what was now the Gracey Mansion.
Restored to its former glory, William began to expand the mansion, adding in a grand ballroom, portrait galleries, a library, and a conservatory. Turning the mansion into his personal Xanadu. The Mansion was to hold a collection of everything:
imported artwork of Europe from the Renaissance, medieval armor, Grecian busts and statues, Egyptian artifacts.
As time went by, William began to open his doors to the New Orleans elite, hosting parties and galas at his famous estate. These balls became the talk of New Orleans, and invitations were actively sought when word spread of some event happening at the Gracey Mansion.
One fateful day, in the spring of 1898, William Gracey crossed paths with a young woman. Her name was Emily Cavanaugh and from the moment William met her eyes, he was smitten. Their first meeting was little more than polite conversation, but William felt he had glimpsed a kindred spirit, a beautiful soul that could ease the mysterious loneliness that ate away at him. Likewise, Emily was drawn to William's charm and boyish good looks. Their mutual courtship began almost immediately. Much to the jealousy of the available young women of New Orleans, and Letoa’s dismay. It was not long before the two were engaged to be wed.
The ceremony was to be held at the mansion itself, The upper-crust from all over New Orleans attended, friends and family members of Gracey and Emily were assembled. An internationally-acclaimed organist was hired, the reception was to be held at the mansion’s grand hall, and Abigail’s roses were in bloom. Every wedding guest was assured to return home with a lifetime of "happy memories."
Everything was prepared, and yet, after more than half an hour, Emily had not yet arrived downstairs. William, the staff and the guests frantically searched everywhere for Emily, but with no avail. However, one guest was convinced that they heard a noise coming from the attic. There they found Emily lifeless, inside an old trunk.
After discovering his young bride’s demise, William Gracey became a broken man. It was said that he died of an actual broken heart. William was later buried in the Graveyard after his death. The few hundred friends and family who attended the funeral wept for ages. Every year on the anniversary of his death, a single rose was placed on William’s grave by a woman in a black dress.
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