– Mary Garrison/Tribune-Courier || (Above) Ghouls and spooks run amuck at the Chainsaw Slaughterhouse Asylum haunted house on Hwy. 1824 near South Marshall. The house will be open throughout Halloween weekend from 7 p.m. until "the dead quit walking."

Till the dead quit walking: Chainsaw Slaughterhouse haunted house open for business

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – You know you’re in for it when you can hear people screaming from the road. By the time Michael Myers jumps out from the attic, if your heart hasn’t stopped, you’re running scared.

It’s exactly what owner and operator David Morgan and his family are hoping for. For six years, Morgan has operated a haunted house on Highway 1824 between Benton and Hardin, and each year he’s worked to make it bigger and better.

There’s a reason behind his enthusiasm, and it’s more than the desire to be “western Kentucky’s first family of horror,” though he admits that’s one of them.

Every year, Morgan makes it his mission to provide for the Jonathan-South Marshall Family Resource Center, in hopes of building a stronger, better community.

“The first $5,000 goes to the resource center,” Morgan said. “Even if I have to take a loss.”

It’s not just contribution, either. Last year, the haunted house was not in operation, however Morgan and his famiy found a way to contribute nonetheless.

“He’s just awesome,” said Melanie Thompson with the resource center. “Last year, he contributed $5,000 by making roof repairs. He would go around for the elderly or sick and not charge them a dime. He’d tell them to just make a donation to us.”

Morgan wants to bring the spirit of Halloween to the county year round, as well. He said though the group will take a two-week break after this weekend, the haunted house will be in operation off and on, for holidays and events year-round.

“It gives folks around here the chance to get out and do something a little different,” Morgan said.

Some of the local schools have and will yet make field trips to the house, though Morgan said for smaller children the scare-factor is somewhat “watered down.”

He’s got plenty of assistance, too. Some 30 volunteers from around the community step in to run the spooktacular affair, including his wife, son and grandson, as well as older kids in need of direction.

Morgan said they do it for free, in a smoke, drug and alcohol-free environment, for the fun.

Some local celebrity names have gotten in on the fun, as well. Former WPSD reporter Sam Burrage has been assisting with commercials for the house, and plans to attend the Halloween parade in Clinton with Morgan and his motley crew.

“The work they’ve done is phenomenal,” Burrage said. “And it’s a really good, long haunted house. This year should be quite a spookfest.”

The house takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete upon entering, and visitors can expect many surprises and screams along the way.

The house will remain open from 7 p.m. until “the dead quit walking” this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Future haunts will operate from noon to midnight on Saturdays. Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for children and families of five may enter at a flat $25 rate.

And during Thanksgiving and Christmas, area residents will find something more. Currently, Morgan sells hot dogs and sodas in “Leatherface’s kitchen.” However, the family will open the kitchen for Thanksgiving, serving a turkey dinner for those in need.

At Christmas, Morgan will bring in soup for families in need, as well.

“It’s just ramen, so it won’t be the best food in the world,” Morgan said. “But we’ll feed as many as need it, as much as they want.”

Some ask why Morgan does what he does, and he has only one answer.

“Everyone has choices,” Morgan said. “I choose to help people. What good is luxury if some kid down the street is hungry or doing without. I do what I do because it’s the right thing to do.”