So far I have found out that it was written in 1948 by Stan Jones. It has been recorded by at least fifty different artist includeing Burl Ives and Bing Crosby. I found the info here. I believe that Burl Ives was the first to record it, per wikipedia bio. http://www.homestead.com/deenotes/ghost.html
There were many people that recorded the song. In 1963 Dick Dale recorded it. It was written in 1948 by Stan Jones, was sung by Bing Crosby, Peggy Lee, Johnny Cash, The Marshal Tucker Band, and a bunch of other people. It was both popular and flexible, and was recorded by numerous artists including Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash. It was also recorded by Vaughn Monroe, Peggy Lee and Bing Crosby who come from a different genre.
The Marshal of Gunsight Pass - 1950 1-1 was released on:USA: 12 March 1950The Marshal of Gunsight Pass - 1950 - 1.1 was released on:USA: 12 March 1950
Sure As Fate - 1950 Distinguished Gathering 1-15 was released on: USA: 23 January 1950
The cast of Georges Braque - 1950 includes: Arletty
Sri Jagannath - 1950 is rated/received certificates of: India:U
Doug Kerslake was born on 1950-03-03.
Fence Riders - 1950 was released on: USA: 19 January 1950
Riders of the Range - 1950 was released on: USA: 11 February 1950 Sweden: 11 April 1950
The White Riders was created in 1950.
Riders of the Range - 1950 is rated/received certificates of: Sweden:15 USA:Approved USA:Passed (National Board of Review)
Streets of Ghost Town - 1950 was released on: USA: 3 August 1950
The Ghost of Slumber Mountain was created in 1950.
Streets of Ghost Town - 1950 is rated/received certificates of: USA:Approved (PCA #14492)
Robert Montgomery Presents - 1950 The Canterville Ghost 2-6 was released on: USA: 20 November 1950
Danger - 1950 The Ghost Is Your Heart 1-18 was released on: USA: 23 January 1951
Showtime U-S-A- - 1950 Gramercy Ghost was released on: USA: 30 May 1951
The Cisco Kid - 1950 Ghost Story 2-7 was released on: USA: 15 October 1951
Armstrong Circle Theatre - 1950 Ghost Town 1-45 was released on: USA: 10 April 1951