Hugh Crane took children from his mills by the dozens (possibly hundreds) and murdered them, burning their bodies and hiding the remains underneath his great fireplace. Some time later, he re-married to Caroline (Nell's ancestor) who became pregnant and had a child. She discovered what Hugh Crane had done, and managed to escape from Hill House. However, death did not stop Hugh Crane. His malevolent spirit continued to haunt Hill House, stalking the ghosts of the children he had slain every night. He was finally defeated when Nell called him before the doors carved in imitation of Rodan's "Gates of Hell", whereupon the engraved demons reached out and dragged him into hell at last.