Fall 2019

The 1910 census shows both John J. Ratty and his son John “Joseph”
Ratty as proprietors of the Homestead. In 1911, for some unknown
reason, Ratty sold the property to Alex Mears. The property went
into foreclosure shortly after. Maybe this was done to avoid Ratty
having a foreclosure on his record. Charles T. Campbell (Saltwood
House story) and his wife Katherine (Saltwood House future ghost)
bought the property from the Sheriff. I am speculating that Katherine
Campbell (nee Loftus) was the same Kate Loftus who flipped the
property with the Rattys earlier. She was most like Bridget Ratty’s
sister. It’s interesting how the living — and the dead — all intertwine
in Cape May’s history, isn’t it?
In 1915, the Campbells sold the property back to the Rattys, to
Katherine Ratty, John junior’s wife. Apparently, beginning in the
late 19th century, the Married Woman’s Property Acts that entitled
women to own property also afforded men a special benefit. By
having properties put in their wives’ names only, husbands protected
their other assets as these could not be touched should a wife’s
property go into foreclosure. Ratty was a smart businessman. No
wonder he makes such a good ghost.
John J. Ratty passed away (but didn’t leave) in 1916. His wife
Bridget and son John continued to run the hotel, with Bridget
listed as the proprietress of the hotel in 1920. When the Eighteenth
Amendment was passed in January 1920, the Rattys (and everyone
else in Cape May) were out of the liquor business. In 1930, Bridget
Ratty is listed as the proprietress of a “rooming house.” The Great
Depression had begun and the days of glorious seaside hotels were
numbered. Business in Cape May, like the rest of the country, took a
nose dive.
John Ratty Jr passed in December of 1939. Earlier that year,
in February, the Homestead was sold by his wife Katherine to the
Homeowner’s Loan Corporation. Homeowners flipped the property
to Mark and LuLu Frymire, and the rest is history.
John Joseph Ratty was a tenacious businessman in his day.
When he died at the age of 67, he probably felt his life was cut short.
The Homestead was back in his hands and business was probably
starting to pick up. His wife Bridget did not sell the hotel and bar. She
held onto the dream, faithfully running the hotel for years after her
husband’s death. How many loving husbands could leave for heaven
knowing a wife was struggling back at home, trying to maintain a
business and provide for the family? Probably not many. Whether we
choose to come back in spirit from the other side to visit and guide,
or stay with a loved one as an earthbound ghost, love is stronger
than death. If a soul knows it is needed by another soul, some way,
somehow it will find a way to be there, in the flesh or in spirit.
John Joseph Ratty is probably thrilled the Slaweks renamed the
Jackson Mountain Café as an Irish pub. Until now, the Rattys were
long forgotten in Cape May. I am glad I was able to pull their names,
and their story, out of the dusty Cape May archives — a shadowy
place where dusty old records and ghosts are one in the same, and
where many hauntings can finally be solved.
It’s actually a very cool coincidence that the Delaney’s brand
favors one of the original owners — or is it a coincidence? Maybe old
John Ratty has been whispering in the Slaweks’ ears! The ghost of an
Irish bartender haunting an Irish pub. It’s a match made in heaven or
(in this case) Cape May — where heaven and the seaside meet.
exit zero 74 fall