Annie Marie Twente's story is one of the most famous ghost stories in Southern Minnesota and for good reason. She was buried alive.
On October 26, 1886, the six year old girl was recorded as of dying from "lung fever" however locals at the time say she died a far more gruesome and bizarre death at the hands of her father, Richard Twente.
Richard Twente was a man known for his temper and as being a brute who struck fear into his family and neighbor's hearts. In fact many thought of him to be of mental illness and he was even admitted to the St. Peter State Hospital three times!
He was also marveled to have a mind that of a genius. His homestead and granary are currently listed on the National Register of Historical Places.
One of his famous "spells" included taking his wife, Lizzie, and their daughter on a winter sled ride to run away from an "invisible threat." Fearing the temperatures would make the children sick, Lizzie convinced him to turn back.
Eventually, his behavior forced Lizzie to leave him. Or her departure had something to do with the way that Anne Marie died.
Anne supposedly fell from a hayloft and slipped into a coma. When she showed no signs of improvement two days later, her parents had her buried in the town's cemetery.
Lizzie was awestruck with grief and the fact that her husband had not sought medical attention for their daughter before giving her up to a grave. She convinced him that the grave of their daughter should be opened up.
When exhumed, they were shocked to find that it appeared little Anne Marie was buried alive. Evidence was that of scratch marks on the coffin's interior lid, chunks of hair in her clenched fists, and a face of terror was on her face.
Richard was so overwhelmed from this horrible mistake that he made a hilltop burial plot for his daughter and put a wooden fence around the plot. He went on to build many other structures that were to protect her from what only he will forever know. Later on, he would replace the wooden fence with an iron one with a locking gate.
It is reported that Anne Marie's restless spirit still haunts the family farm. Her tombstone is reported to be cold to the touch in even the warmest days and warmest in the coldest days. Headlights fail when motorist drive near the old farm and horses refuse to cross the bridge nearby.
However, the location of the grave will forever be lost due to vandals and the deconstruction of the monument that Richard had built for his daughter. Reports by current owners of the farm state the local kids would try to dig the grave only to get scared off very quickly and they have stolen the headstone too many times to recall.
In 1996, after 100 years of being disturbed and not at peace, the body of little Anne Marie Twente was exhumed from Albin Township and moved to her parents family plot in Northern Minnesota.
Source: Ghost Stories of Minnesota