Historical Haunts of Blue Jay

 

Blue Jay Logging Company (c. 1910)
Source

In southeastern Raleigh County, the lumber and mining community known as Blue Jay was a thriving community. In 1903, a Mr. Billinger, accompanied by Frank Hayes, both of Pennsylvania, packed up and made the trek into West Virginia to establish the Blue Jay Lumber Company on land purchased from P.C. Lynch, C.L. Goodwin, and P.P. Griffin. 

Loaded down with the Billinger family, four drivers, 13 horse-drawn wagons, and enough household goods and supplies to set up the business and a small town, the trip took 13 days (wow, 13 coming up at least twice, lol...). By its peak in 1921, Blue Jay had 300 families and also operated a coal mine. Unfortunately, like with many logging and mining operations, accidents were rather common, and simply just a part of life. 

So obviously, the area is surely to have a haunted reputation! In the April 17, 1965, edition of the Beckley Post Herald, historian and columnist Shirley Donnelly writes about being taken on a drive through the former community of Blue Jay. Bill Harris, who was born in Blue Jay, was eager to point out some of the creepier legends. 

Lily Family of Blue Jay, WV
Source: WV History on View

In the first tale, Bill points out a location just past the newly built Baptist Church where for decades, travelers, especially young boys, were terrified to tread. On dark, moonless nights, those passing through would hear the phantom sounds associated with a logging operation. The clanking of heavy log chains was accompanied by the thud of rolling logs. These remnants of a time gone by were a ghostly echo of what was once a normal experience. 

Bill then took Shirley to a spot where long ago, a house once stood. According to legend, a young family lived in this home, but weren't there long before the baby mysteriously disappeared, and the couple packed up and left, not leaving a forwarding address. 

It wasn't long before those living in the area reported a horrifying phenomenon. The sounds of a baby crying were observed, but not just the typical cries you'd expect from an infant. It would start with a loud scream, almost like a child being tortured. A second scream would follow, but this one was almost like a scream of waning strength. Finally, a weakened, moaning cry was heard.   People put two and two together and the legend that a child was murdered and now haunted the area was born. 

Logging in the Blue Jay Area
Source: WV History on View

Sources and Further Reading:

Home Sweet Home: Blue Jay, West Virginia: Goldenseal Article Preview by Janetta Crawford

Coal Camp USA

Beckley Post-Herald
17 April 1965

A Haunted House in Moundsville

1899 Map of Moundsville

When it comes to ghosts, Moundsville, West Virginia may be best known for the super haunted former West Virginia State Penitentiary. But, way back in 1867, the little town was known for another haunted location. This story comes from the August 16, 1867 edition of the Wheeling Daily Register, who got the story from The Moundsville National, dated August 15, 1867:

A Ghost Near Moundsville

The Moundsville National of yesterday has the following sensation item:

It is a fact not known to many of the citizens of Moundsville and surroundings, that there is, in the immediate vicinity of this place, a haunted house. The house is a new one, and, until recently, has not been occupied. The upper floor of the building has never been finished, and to this day remains unoccupied. For a considerable time past the denizens of this building have been in the habit of hearing strange, unusual and unnatural noises issuing from the aforesaid upper story, and a rumor had gone abroad that the place was haunted. Little, however, has been said about the matter, the majority of those living in the building being under the impression that the strange noises were occasioned by rats scampering about the premises. The noises, however, have continued, and seemed to increase in intensity, and becoming louder and louder as the midnight hour approaches, and then entirely ceased as day begins to break.

One of the inmates, more valorous than the others, determined to fathom the mystery, and a couple of days ago, when the sun was shining brightly, he ascended to the upper story. The stair was encumbered by pieces of timber, which he removed after considerable trouble, and on getting to the top of the stair he forced open the door and entered. His astonishment may be well imagined when by the glimmering light which penetrated the closed up apartment, he saw lying extended on the floor a full sized skeleton. He started back for an instant, being unprepared for such a surprise, but quickly rallying, he knelt down and examined the skeleton minutely. How it came to be in the place where it was found is a mystery and may never be cleared up, and whether murder or suicide had been committed may never be known. The skeleton, however, still lies in the upper story, and whether the poor, perturbed spirit of the deceased seeks the glimpses of the moon is left for the believers of ghost stories to determine. It is still reported that the unusual sounds are to be heard each night, but perhaps the removal of the skeleton and a decent interment might put a stop to the wanderings of the ghost. 

We can't swallow that without more bait. Was "the skeleton" a hoop-skirt institution, or a "dorg" farce? Please particularize, Mr. National.  

Wheeling Daily Register
16 August 1867

Pt. Pleasant's Unlucky 13th Street

This local fright-bite comes from a March 13, 1895 edition of the Pt. Pleasant Weekly Register. The archived article can be found through the Chronicling America website, and tells quite a tale of a very extravagantly accessorized ghost, roaming around 13th Street, in the Third Ward area of Pt. Pleasant, WV. As an added side note to spooky history: Two of the original Mothman witnesses, Roger and Linda Scarberry, lived on 13th Street during the Mothman flap. About a month after seeing the creature in the TNT area, Linda reports that she saw it again on the roof of her home.

From Mothman Wikipedia

A man up in the Third Ward has seen a ghost, and no ordinary ghost either.  It was a woman, of course, and wore silk raiment and razzle-dazzle jewelry. Some time in the morning before dawn during last week an up-town citizen was passing through an alley ostensibly for a near-cut.  When he came near the crossing over Thirteenth Street he saw just a short distance ahead of him, an elegantly dressed woman, her clothing bedecked with silver bangles set with dazzling brilliants.  The apparition would not allow a near approach, as it faded out of sight before he got to it.  

Forgotten Murder at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum

If you follow me on Facebook, you might remember that I did an overnight public investigation at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum (known for years as simply the Weston State Hospital) back in January. While I have yet to find any solid evidence produced as a result of our time there, my boyfriend and I had an excellent night of exploring the history-packed location and hearing plenty of interesting stories about its 150+ year existence.

Obviously, there were plenty of tales of violent deaths, mostly resulting in potential hauntings, throughout the building, and I was intrigued. I needed to do some of my own research on these tales to see just how much of what was being told was legend, and how much was support by historical documentation. And, while knee-deep in research for one of the more particularly well-known murders....by complete accident I came across ANOTHER murder that was not mentioned on our tour. As a researcher, I've experienced this before---as have many other researchers, both paranormal and historical. It almost seems like we're meant to come across certain information at certain times, almost as if someone is reaching out, guiding us, wanting their story told.

I've struggled with whether or not I SHOULD tell this story. There are no known hauntings that I know of associated with it, and since it happened in the 1960s, there are still plenty of family members alive and well. However, since weird little coincidences kept popping up (like finding an article about the murder I had printed out lying in the middle of the floor of my office when it hadn't been there when I left or getting a spam email from a woman with the same first name as the victim), I've decided to go ahead and let this story be known, remaining objective and stating only the facts as are available in public record. This post isn't meant to disrespect any party involved, but to bring awareness that mental illness is a serious issue. It can affect anyone at any time and when investigating places such as TALA, we need to remember the human element and make sure to remain respectful and dignified in our research. So here goes...The Murder of Muriel Creamer.

On May 18, 1963, Mrs. Muriel C. Creamer, an African-American housewife from Charles Town, West Virginia, was admitted to the state hospital in Weston. She would never come home. On May 25, she was found deceased in her room on Ward C. It was about 9 pm when psychiatric aide, Wanda Jacqueline Reed, was doing  a routine bed check and found the body of Mrs. Creamer in her bed. Earlier in the day, Mrs. Creamer had been strapped to the bed by hospital attendants, bound at the waist and the feet to prevent her from leaving the bed. She had a piece of muslin cloth about her neck. Her death certificate listed her cause of death as homicide by strangulation, noting that she had been strangled with a bed sheet. She was buried several days later at the Johnsontown Cemetery in Kearneysville.  But who had strangled Muriel?

Some reports say that Muriel's roommate, Wanda Maxine Janes, was either found standing over her body, or at the other side of the room. In any event, when questioned, Ms. Janes freely admitted that she had strangled Muriel Creamer. She claimed that Creamer had "made improper advances" toward her.

Wanda herself had just been admitted to the hospital that day. The 34 year old woman was sent to Weston by the Mental Hygiene Commission of Marion County. Although the doctors who referred her to the state hospital for treatment claimed she was friendly, they also noted that she was irrational, considered herself mistreated by everybody, and suffering from a depression complex and ideas of persecution. Upon arriving at Weston, she was interviewed by Dr. H.S. Chu, where it was noted that she was hostile and argumentative. Her behavior became rather wild and she strongly refused to go to the admission ward. Dr. Chu diagnosed Ms. Janes as a paranoid schizophrenic, and she was sent to a seclusion room on Ward C---a ward where the most violent and uncontrollable women were housed.

Ms. Janes was admitted around 10 am that morning, and spent the better part of the day in the seclusion space. However, the 'seclusion' space wasn't exactly private. Due to overcrowding, two other women shared the space with Janes, so around 8:30 pm she was moved to an adjoining room that she would share with Mrs. Creamer. This room was 20 feet away from the aide's desk, and no signs or sounds of violence or a struggle were ever heard.

An article in the Beckley Post-Herald from June 3rd stated that Wanda Maxine Janes had been charged with murder by the Lewis County prosecutor, William L. Fury. However, I could not find any follow-up as to whether she was actually found guilty and if she was, what the punishment entailed. What IS known, is that after the incident, John Creamer, the executor of Muriel's estate, sued Weston State Hospital for wrongful death. The case was heard by the WV Supreme Court in 1969 and it was found that the hospital was not at fault, as they could not have possibly known that Mrs. Janes was violent and/or homicidal.  At some point, Wanda Maxine Janes was released from treatment. She passed away in 1999. She had served with the US Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and thus, was buried with military honors at the WV National Cemetery in Grafton.

*Haunt Note*

Although there are no ghost stories or hauntings that I know of associated with this particular incident, Ward C on the third floor is still considered a pretty active location! As stated earlier, this was where some of the more uncontrollable female patients were housed and it is said that staff often had to walk down the hall back to back to prevent a patient from coming up behind them and either attacking or trying to sneak off with their keys. Male visitors are encouraged to hang their keys off their belt loop when walking down the hall---many have felt the tug of someone trying to pull the keys off the loop. Others have heard screams, cries and women's voices throughout the ward.

Sources:  Beckley Post-Herald (Wednesday May 29, 1963, pg. 1)
              Beckley Post-Herald (Monday June 3, 1963, pg. 11)
              State of WV Report of the Court of Claims 1969-1971 Volume 8

This Day in Haunted History-March

Happy Easter!  It's Bunny Day today, but its also the last of the month, which means its time for another re-cap of This Day in Haunted History, March Edition!  Unfortunately, March didn't offer a lot of dates that I could work with when it came to the content I have on Theresa's Haunted History, so I've had to supplement in a few places, lol.  Anyway, without further ado, here's this month's This Day in Haunted History:

March 2
On March 2, 1927, fire destroyed the temporary "pasteboard" capitol in Charleston.  The permanent capitol that was built in its place would quickly get a reputation for being haunted, both by a former maintenance man and a mysterious woman in a red dress.  State Capitol Building

March 4
Alexander Campbell, the founder of the Disciples of Christ and Bethany College, died in Bethany on March 4, 1866.  Alexander Campbell's former residence is haunted.  He is seen in his unique study, while his son is seen roaming the grounds.  Alexander Campbell Mansion

The cemetery where Mr. Campbell is buried is ALSO thought to be haunted!  God's Acre Cemetery

(The next three entries are also all from March 4th, but are extras not listed on the official WV This Day in History Page)

On March 4, 1904 a young boy passed away in Arvilla, WV, spawning one of the weirdest cemetery legends I've heard in the state.  Ikie's Tomb

Today marks the anniversary of the Charleston, WV Woolworth Building fire. That fire took the lives of 7 firefighters. Some say that those firefighters are still seen in the old building.  Woolworth Building Fire

14 years ago today, WV suffered another tragic fire. Two homeless gentleman burned to death under the Nitro/St. Albans bridge. Since that day, people have claimed to have seen the ghost of one of these men. With the bridge undergoing extensive rebuilding, do you think that the spirit or spirits have been stirred up once again?  Nitro/St. Albans Bridge

March 6
Industrialist Johnson Newlon Camden, who served as United States senator from 1881 to 1887, and 1893 to 1895, was born in Lewis County on March 6, 1828.  Of interest to the Huntington area natives, Camden was responsible for the Camden Interstate Railway street car line, and thus, Camden Park!  Camden Park is said to be haunted by several entities, including the Native Americans who are buried in the mound, still on the park property, and even a woman who is still riding the roller coaster after all these years.  Camden Park

Camden's widow is responsible for another haunted location in WV history.  She gave the land for the original Camden-Clark Hospital in Parkersburg, haunted by a nurse named Ella.  Camden-Clark Hospital

March 15
West Virginia State Auditor John C. Bond resigned from office on March 15, 1927, after being impeached.  Although this entry isn't paranormal in and of itself, I wanted to include it due to a recent tip we received about a body-shaped stain at the state capitol complex.  The legend goes that a state employee committed suicide after being accused of embezzling money, and during my research, Bond kept popping up.  And while he did NOT commit suicide at the capitol building, I'm still trying to research if maybe someone who worked under him DID.  Suicide Stain at the State Capitol

March 29
On March 29, 1973, African-American educator Fannie Cobb Carter died at the age of 100.  Fannie Cobb Carter was the first superintendent of the Huntington Industrial School for Colored Girls, a building which has been recently torn down, but was said to be haunted by the young girls who lived, and possibly died, within its hallowed halls.  Rumors of cruel treatment and forced abortions are said to account for the sounds of screaming and crying that emanated throughout the building.  Huntington Industrial School for Colored Girls

March 30
On March 30, 1930, ground was broken at Gauley Junction to begin construction of the Hawks Nest tunnel and dam. During construction of a tunnel intended to divert water for electricity production, over 500 men died from silicosis, a disease acquired by inhaling the high amounts of silica found in the rock. A smaller, but still notable tragedy happened on January 30, 1908 when an explosion at the Bachman Mine killed 9 men.  Today, the Hawks Nest State Park is believed to be haunted, not only from the apparent suicide victims of those who took their lives on park property, but also by what may be known as a Guardian Spirit, responsible for ALL the tragic deaths in the area.  Hawks Nest State Park


January Haunted History
February Haunted History
Official On This Day in West Virginia History Page

Historic Lawrence County Ohio Ghost Story

Here's another historic ghost story, this time from across the river into Lawrence County, Ohio.  Enjoy!

SOURCE: Ironton Register, June 15, 1905

It is putting it mildly to say that the town of Millersport, Ohio was shocked one day last week by the appearance of a ghost in that little village, says the Huntington Advertiser.

The spirit first made itself known by the making of a slight noise like someone waking over a hard floor, and attracted the attention of Thos. Baker, who was cutting weeds for his hogs in an adjoining lot.

The appearance of the supernatural phenomenon was in the old McCown property, which stand on a slight rise next to the hill in the upper end of the town, in a less inhabited district.

Baker was in a lot adjoining the property, which has not been inhabited for some time, when he heard a slight noise, as if some one was walking in the old house. This was of such an uncanny nature that it alarmed him and gathering up his weeds, he left the place and went down into the town, where he told his story, much to the dismay of the neighbors.

Finally, when their curiosity got the better of a half hundred boys and girls, they decided to make a raid on the spot and ascertain the cause of the mysterious noises. So they put out at once with the strong hearted ones in the lead and those not so curious bringing up the rear and altogether presenting a rather formidable appearance to Mr. Ghost, had he come out to do them battle, as no doubt some of the younger once believed he would do.

It was with cautious step that some of the larger ones proceeded to steal up to the window. Scarcely could they believe their eyes when there appeared before them a figure clad in white and standing in the center of the floor with folded arms.

With ghastly faces they looked on in dismay for several moments without being able to speak, but finally, regaining their senses, they turned away their blanched faces and beckoned their less curious mates to come and gaze on the scene.

Several of the younger ones and some of the girls advanced to the open window to gaze spellbound upon the frightful object with abject terror. One of the little girls fainted several times before they could get her back home and finally the whole party fled in terror from the weird place.

The strange appearance is causing considerable excitement and comments in that peaceful little hamlet, where the quiet atmosphere is seldom stirred with anything out of the ordinary routine of the daily life in a small town.

The spot on which the strange presentiment made its appearance was the old McCown property in the east end of town. No one has lived there in the house during the last three months. Previous to that time, Mrs. James Null resided there and after her death, which was about three months ago, no one has moved into it.

Shortly before Mrs. Null's death, her son who was a soldier in the regular army, obtained a release and started home on a furlough, but was suffocated by the escape of gas in an Indiana hotel, and was shipped there for burial. Mr. Null has been dead about four years and the death of Mrs. Null broke up the family, and as a purely a matter of circumstances, no one has happened to move in the house since.

Theresa's Note:  I'm still researching the facts on this case in an effort to find out exactly where the house was located, and more importantly, if its still standing.  I do know that the Mrs. Null spoken of is Cyntha Arthur Null, and that her soldier son is Wilbur.  Wilbur's obituary can be found HERE.

I also found a map from 1887 that shows a McCown property in Millersport, so hopefully that's a good sign!