THE GHOST OF DARKISH KNOB
by Sherri Brake
Location: Parsons, West Virginia
During the years prior to the American Civil War, the Underground Railroad was the path to freedom. Many slaves who were held in the south made their way along this perilous route to the north with one thought in mind: FREEDOM! The roads through the hills and hollows of what is now West Virginia was difficult at best, but offered many hiding places for the escaping slaves on their trip north. In the area of the town of Parsons in Tucker County, there stands a mountain shadowed in folklore and death, Darkish Knob.
Darkish Knob looms as a rocky mount and happened to be along one of the best routes north through the mountains of Western Virginia. It is located in the Potomac Highland area of the state. There were many places to hide out back in the old days while traversing Darkish Knob, but traveling at night through the deadly pass could be treacherous, if not mortal to those not familiar with the area. A small rickety house was hidden near the base of the hill that offered rest and safety for the slaves attempting escape. The house was so well hidden that many travelers passed it by because they couldn’t find it in the darkness. This made it the perfect place to hide out and avoid re capture. A young girl was trying to locate the house during her escape north. She was being chased by men who had been hired to find runaway slaves, and missed the house and started up the trail over Darkish Knob in her confusion. She rode her exhausted horse to the top of the hill and dropped back down to the path that winds down to the Cheat River. As she rode along the precarious trail, she turned and looked back. The horse lost his footing in the loose shale rock and plunged over the edge of the hill. As the girl fell to the rocks below, she let out a bloodcurdling scream that was heard miles as it echoed off then hills. She plunged to her death while seeking what others would take for granted…freedom from the chains of captivity.
Many residents in the years following the girl’s death, spoke of the Darkish Knob as a sinister and evil filled place. Several unafraid people who have explored the location have “sensed” a presence in the area of the steep overgrown pathway. The ghostly image of the unnamed young girl is said to return to the top of the hill every year on the eve of the date of her death. The ghostly moans and cries of the slave girl are audible for several minutes before a terrifying scream is heard as the moment of her death approaches.
Ghost hunters call this type of haunting residual or imprinted energy. There are many people today who still claim to hear or see her on occasion. Many believe she still walks the loose pathway down the hill, looking for freedom and searching for eternal peace.
OUR ARTICLES
photo by Sherri Brake 2008
West Virginia's Winged Monster
by Sherri Brake
Location: Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Most observers describe the Mothman as a man-sized creature with large reflective red eyes and large wings. What is he? Where is he? Are people still seeing this odd creature flying about?
The odd events connected to the Mothman began on November 12 , 1966 near Clendenin, West Virginia. Five men were in the cemetery that day, preparing a grave for a burial. Something that looked like a “brown human being” lifted off from some trees and flew right over their heads. The men were surprised as it did not appear to be a bird, but more like a man with huge wings. This was just the beginning of the Mothman saga, West Virginia’s oddest and most documented creature sighting!
The following week, on November 15th, 1966, two young couples in the Mason county town of Point Pleasant West Virginia, were out for a car ride late at night. The Scarberrys and the Mallettes, were traveling in Scarberrys’ car and were driving through an abandoned World War II TNT factory area. This area is about seven miles north of Point Pleasant. They noticed two red lights in the shadows as they stopped the car. They reportedly discovered that the lights were the glowing red eyes of a large animal, “shaped like a man, but bigger, maybe six and a half or seven feet tall, with big wings folded against its back,” according to Roger Scarberry. In terror they drove toward Route 62, where the creature supposedly chased them at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Over the next 13 months, hundreds of Mothman sightings came forth. Reported sightings were made by teachers, law enforcement, housewives and pilots. It seemed everyone in the Mountain State and even in Ohio and Kentucky, were looking anxiously to the woods and fields for Mothman to appear again.
Many would come to believe that the sightings of Mothman, as well as UFO sightings and encounters with “men in black” in the area, were all related. Some spoke of a government cover up. Researchers, and “monster hunters” descended on the area but none were as famous as author John Keel, who wrote the book “Mothman Prophecies” which was the basis for a movie. UFO sightings continued in the area, people gathered along the Ohio River to look at the “lights” and sat in the woods to watch for the Mothman. Many say the grim conclusion of the Mothman tale ended in disaster.
On December 15, 1967, the Silver Bridge that spans the Ohio River from Point Pleasant West Virginia to Ohio collapsed. It was full of traffic and the accident resulted in the deaths of 46 people. Investigation of the wreckage pointed to the cause of the collapse being the failure of an eye bar on the bridge but there were rumors that the Mothman had been seen flying near the bridge before it fell into the icy Ohio River.
Many say that the Mothman’s appearance was an omen of death and bad luck. Point Pleasant has had more than its fair share of fires, floods and accidents. Some point their fingers at Chief Cornstalk and his alleged cursing of the area… and some claim it’s the Mothman’s fault. It is interesting to note that some people still claim to see the Mothman while others say he disappeared after the bridge collapse.
The Mothman is truly one of West Virginia’s bizarre and mysterious tales and will continue to be for many more generations. To visit the area for yourself, stop by The Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, www.mothmanlives.com, or hang out at the annual Mothman Festival on September 18-19th. Bring a camera and some binoculars…just in case!
Ghost Lights of West Virginia
by Sherri Brake
Location: West Virginia
Unexplained sightings of ghostly lights date back to the early settlers in what is now West Virginia. These glowing curiosities puzzled the pioneers causing concerns of the supernatural sort. Some settlers viewed these lights as omens of doom while others saw them as magical entities. In medieval times, it was thought they were the fiery breath of dragons. Ghost Lights are not unique to the Mountain State and have been seen worldwide in various locations. They are typically white, blue, orange or yellow in color and are usually seen at night.
Ghost lights have also been called will o’ the wisps, earth lights, and spook lights. The most popular ghost lights in the United States are the Brown Mountain lights in North Carolina – popular enough to spawn a bluegrass song! There are several Ghost Lights in West Virginia. We will cover two this month.
Sandstone Ghost Light of Raleigh County
This Ghost Light sighting dates back to the Civil War era. Samuel Richmond of Raleigh County was a staunch Union man who ran a ferry service across the New River near Laurel Creek. Samuel was shot by a Confederate sympathizer by the name of Jefferson Bennett in September of 1865. Samuel was shot in his canoe crossing the New River but managed to paddle back to shore before his life ended. He died from his gunshot wound near his home on the Raleigh County side of the river. Many people have claimed to see what is called the Sandstone Ghost Light at night over the river. Many speculate the light is the spirit of Samuel Richmond as he makes his night time journey across the river for all eternity.
Cole Mountain Ghost Light of Hardy County
Hardy County West Virginia is no stranger to the unique phenomena of Ghost Lights. Folks who live around Moorefield have whispered of the Ghost Light sightings dating back before the Civil War began. Wealthy land owner and noted hunter Charles Jones lived in the Moorefield area and owned several slaves. When on late night hunts, Charles would often take his most trusted servant with him when coon hunting on Cole Mountain.
On one late night hunt, both master and slave heard the dogs baying as if they had treed a coon. The slave ran ahead of the master to view the dog’s capture and upon his return, found his master gone. The slave searched high and low in the woods to no avail. Search parties in town were formed for Charles Jones. The locals soon gave up but the slave continued his search. Charles was never found but the townspeople would often see the glow of the slave’s yellow lantern light as he went to and fro across Cole Mountain in his search for his master.
The faithful servant continued his night time search till he mysteriously vanished in the woods on the one year anniversary of his master’s disappearance. On occasion, and to this very day, people around Moorefield still report seeing the glowing light on the mountain. Some say it is the light of the slave’s lantern as he continues to search for his owner in the afterlife.
What exactly are Ghost Lights? Scientists offer plausible explanations of swamp gas, ball lightening, and foxfire glow. And then there are those of us who enjoy the old stories and legends handed down through the years. We look across dark rivers and shadowy mountains at night, wondering if we will see something magical!
The Headless Ghost of Centralia
by Sherri Brake
Location: Centralia, West Virginia
The best known literary example of headless ghost stories is that of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”. The Mountain State has several legends featuring headless ghosts and one of them took place smack dab in the middle of the state. Located in the geographical center of West Virginia, lies the little community of Centralia.
Many years ago, a man by the name of Jacob Beamer was living in Centralia. Jacob was known as a local character of sorts and many thought him a bit odd. You see, Jacob made it known to all who would listen that his ancestors lived on the moon. He had come to the area to work on the building of the West Virginia & Pittsburgh Railroad. (Later known at the B&O) The line ran from Buckhannon to Camden-on-Gauley and in 1890, Jacob was employed on this project. He was a hard worker but also enjoyed spinning yarns to those who would listen.
One of the rare stories that Jacob claimed to be true, was the fact his family came from the moon and that he had a guardian moon ghost. He claimed his family had the uncanny ability to travel back and forth among the planets. (Keep in mind this was many years before this was actually attempted by mankind) While his family travelled from the moon to the earth on one trip, a terrible accident occurred. A large meteor roared past earth and shook the land mass forming continents and changed the earth’s poles. This meteor also threw the moon farther into space and the Beamer family was left on trapped on earth. The family adjusted to living here with the help of their guardian moon ghost who Jacob claimed would speak to him very often.
Jacob was a wanderer at heart and had a bit of a gypsy streak in his soul. He was fond of late night strolls in the country while the moon was full. Some of the locals speculated that Jacob took these late walks to speak with his guardian moon ghost. On one night while walking, Jacob was accidentally caught on the tracks when an approaching train struck him down. The train was venturing through a deep cut in the hill near the community of Centralia when it plowed over Jacob. Jacob’s dead body was found lying next to the tracks. He had been decapitated with the impact and his head was not with the body. People searched high and low for Jacob’s head but it was never found.
Many people through the years have claimed a peculiar sight takes place. Moonbeams would shine down brightly on the full moon night near the anniversary of Jacob Benders death. Near the big cut and the railroad tracks, a grayish colored ghost was often observed leading a headless man by the hand. Their movements are slow and precarious as they search both sides of the tracks apparently looking for Jacob’s lost head.
The last time that the two ghosts were observed, a deer hunter saw them as they ambled about. The hunter paused and as he did, he saw Jacob Beamer clutching the hand of the gray ghost and in his other arm, he cradled what appeared to be a white human skull. The deer hunter stood as if frozen in place and watched as the ghost led Jacob into the dense rhododendron bushes, disappearing into the shadows.
The apparitions of the moon ghost and Jacob Bender have not been seen in a very long time. Many say Jacob is finally at rest.
photo by Perry Queener
The Ghosts of North Hall
by Sherri Brake
Location: former West Virginia Penitentiary, Moundsville, West Virginia
It opened in 1866, built to house the state’s most violent offenders of the law. The West Virginia Penitentiary occupies 10 acres in Moundsville. It stands as a silent fortress now but housed inmates until its cell were deemed “inhumane” and it ceased operations in 1995. The inmates may have left the building, but many agree the spirits and ghosts still occupy the area.
How do I know about the ghosts? I have firsthand knowledge. Since starting my haunted tour company in 2005, I have rented the penitentiary out on nearly 50 nights, securing the building for our ghost hunts, or investigations as many prefer to call them. We arrive at the Pen before midnight and stay till about 5 am. Many seek proof of the paranormal and some just come for the thrill of it. Thousands have come from many different states on these overnight adventures. I came to the conclusion early on that more than just bats flit around in the hallways at night.
The WV Pen has many entities that occasionally make themselves “known”. Several paranormal hotspots in the old prison include the Boiler Room, the Psych Ward, and the indoor recreation area known as the Sugar Shack. One of my favorites is North Hall. This area was where the worst offenders were housed. You did not get a cell in North Hall upon entering the prison as an inmate. You were sent to North Hall after doing something very bad while already in the prison. Inmates were housed in their cells for about 23 hours per day. This would leave much time for inmates to reflect upon their crimes, or to possibly fester in their cells filled with hate and revenge while secretly making shank weapons.
North Hall has its own hotspots. Take for instance Danny’s cell. Danny was the leader of a biker gang and ended up in prison. He was murdered by another inmate when stabbed thru the eye and into his brain causing a hemorrhage and his death. His old cell is often plagued by cold spots and odd anomalies that show up in ghost hunter’s photographs. I myself had the experience of being tapped on the shoulder while standing alone in his dark cell one night. I thought someone had snuck up behind me, but no one was there.
Another hotspot in North Hall is that of Red’s cell. Red was stabbed 35 times by a neighboring inmate while exiting his cell one day. Red’s cell tends to make people very uncomfortable, especially women. These uncomfortable feeling happen not only in the cells. Inmates were shoved off of higher levels while falling to their death. Some inmates took the easy route and simply killed themselves by hanging or my cutting their throats. Deaths occurred by execution as well. 85 hangings and 9 electrocutions took place at the Pen until the death penalty was abolished in 1965.
All in all, if you are interested in the criminal justice system, if you like old gothic architecture or history…take a day tour. If you are interested in what comes out to walk the shadows after the sun sets…come investigate at night!
Visit our HauntedHistory.net for ghost hunt dates or check out wvpentours.com for day tours.
Sherri Brake lives in Muddlety, WV, is a published author and paranormal investigator. Her blog is www.sherribrake.blogspot.com. Email her at sherri@hauntedhistory.net.
