Born in Paderborn, Westphalia, Germany. Wife of wealthy Santa Fe resident, Abraham Staab. Mother of eight children. Julie's spirit is said to haunt the former Staab mansion, which is now part of the La Posada Hotel in Santa Fe. Julie haunts the second floor, particularly a central room on the second floor, which used to be her own. It is said that when she is around, there is the sudden smell of roses, her favorite flower.∼Local Legend. Julia was born in Paderborn, Westphalia, Germany, and came to the United States when she was about 16. She married wealthy businessman, Abraham Staab, and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he'd promised her that he would build her the biggest and most expensive house in the territory. The victorian mansion was completed in 1882, and she loved to decorate it with fresh roses, her favorite flower. The house was also perfect for entertaining, and she instantly became the social queen of society. There were constant parties, celebrations and gatherings. Important dignitaries and politicians always stayed at the home when in the area, including President Rutherford Hayes. Julia was a gracious hostess, but she was also a devoted mother to her seven children. When an eighth child, a daughter named Henriette, died in 1883, just a few weeks after her birth, Julia sank into a deep depression. Distraught with grief, she neither ate nor slept for two weeks, staying in her room the entire time. When she finally emerged, her formerly beautiful raven hair had turned white. She was never the same after that, and kept to her room continually, dying a recluse in 1896 at the age of 52. Her husband is thought to have murdered her, so he could resume his powerful position and social standing in the community. The spirit that claimed her mind is said to still haunt her house, particularly her former bedroom, which is now part of a posh resort called La Posada.