Lake Shawnee Swimming Pool Deaths

Lake Shawnee

 Like many locations with the reputation for being haunted, Lake Shawnee is no stranger to death. Mass burials of First Nations people, the Mitchell-Clay Massacre of 1774, multiple drownings on and near the property, and untold traffic fatalities in the vicinity make up a bulk of the deaths, But, there certainly have been others. In trying to find an appropriate way to actually blog about the deaths, both those confirmed and those presumed, I realized I'd have to break it up into multiple entries. 

For this blog, I'll be sharing some of the documentation for three deaths that occurred at the Lake Shawnee swimming pool, between 1930 and 1966. Two children passed away due to eerily similar drowning incidents, and a young gentleman died as a result of a skull fracture while riding on the pool slide. Again, this is by far a comprehensive look at the deaths associated with Lake Shawnee. All blogs dealing with Lake Shawnee here at Theresa's Haunted History will be linked to my original page, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park. 

WAYNE HARMAN:

On Sunday, June 4th, 1961, six-year-old Wayne Harman visited the Lake Shawnee Amusement Park with his family. His mom, Juanita, was in the pool with Wayne and his four other siblings. Although the pool was filled with other swimmers and allegedly had ample lifeguards on duty, at some point young Wayne slipped under the water...and never came back up. No one saw this happen, and it wasn't until later when another swimmer felt the boy's body under the water and alerted the lifeguards. Life-saving measures were taken, but unfortunately, it was too late. Wayne had drowned.

Later that year, Juanita Harman, Wayne's mother, filed a $10,000 lawsuit against Lake Shawnee owner, C.T. Snidow. She alleged that the park was unsafe and negligent in the matter of her son's death. 

The Raleigh Register
06 June 1961

                                     

Beckley Post-Herald
09 December 1961

JOHN TALLEY:

On Sunday, July 3, 1966 12-year-old John Talley was visiting Lake Shawnee with his family, only a day after his twelfth birthday. Assuming he had already left for home, the rest of the family packed up and followed. However, John wasn't there. They returned to Lake Shawnee to find him. Late that evening, his body was finally discovered at the bottom of the pool. He was buried at Roselawn Memorial in Princeton. 

The Charleston Daily Mail
04 July 1966

Death Certificate of John Talley
Source: WV Vital Statistics

KELLEY SOUDER:

On Wednesday, August 6th, 1930 Kelley Souder passed away at a hospital in Princeton, WV. A week earlier, Mr. Souder had been visiting Lake Shawnee Amusement Park and was enjoying the sled ride that slid into the pool. Unfortunately, Mr. Souder was standing on the sled instead of being in a seated position, so when the sled hit a dip in the chute, Mr. Souder lost his footing and fell, striking his head on the side of the chute before reaching the water. When he didn't emerge back out of the pool, his companions came to his aid, rendered aid, and rushed him to the hospital where he underwent an operation to attempt to save his life. He never regained consciousness. 

Bristol Herald-Courier
10 August 1930

Paranormal Activity at Putnam Aging

Putnam Aging
October 2024

In October of 2018, local news station, WCHS-TV ( article and video), ran a story involving potential paranormal activity caught on security camera. Upon arriving to the Putnam Aging offices, located at 2558 Winfield Road between Winfield and St. Albans, staff found the doors to one of their transport vans wide open. Fearing the work of thieves, security camera footage from around the property was closely inspected. 

No evidence of thieves, trespassers, vandals, or anyone else entering the property was found on the footage. Instead, staff was shocked to see that the doors to the van simply opened all by themselves around 1:19am! No explanation was ever found for why the doors were seemingly jiggled, then pushed open from inside the vehicle, a feat that should have been impossible with the door latch secured. 

Side of Building/Parking Lot
October 2024

While unsettling, this alleged paranormal activity came as no surprise, as spooky stuff had already been happening at the office building. Registered Nurse, Danny George, reports seeing a woman in an 1800's era gown in the main foyer. 

But who or what could be causing a haunting at the main offices of the Putnam County Aging program? The older building, located near the junction of Winfield Rd and old Teays Valley Road at Scary, is situated right on the Kanawha River. On the property is a memorial marker and informational signage for the 1861 Battle of Scary Creek.

Battle of Scary Creek Monument
October 2024

The Battle of Scary Creek took place on the afternoon of July 17th, around 3pm, and lasted for about three hours. In that time, the Confederate Army was able to hold off Union troops. However, a total of 19 soldiers did perish in that fight. Interestingly, there is another ghost story attached to this battle. About three weeks after the fight, neighbors living in the area heard the tell-tale sounds of battle. Rushing out, thinking another skirmish had started, they found nothing. For years, the phantom sounds of a battle replaying itself were heard. (Scary Creek Battlefield Blog)

Based on how the apparition was dressed, it would seem that at least one ghost haunting Putnam Aging is from the Civil War era, but it's anyone's guess as to who the woman actually may be. Perhaps she is a member of the Simms Family, or the Vintroux Family, both of whom have been in the area for many years. Perhaps the activity stems from way before the 1800's (archaeological explorations in 19th century have uncovered evidence of Woodlands-era people living in the immediate area). Or, perhaps the hauntings, especially the more trickster-like pranks of opening the van doors comes from way after the Civil War. For whatever reason, this stretch of road has had quite a history of fatal car crashes, especially throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, with many losing their lives in sight of the Putnam Aging Property. 

Ghost hunters were allowed to come in and check out the potential activity, the results of which can be found at the Mitchell Family Reality Show TV YouTube Channel. 

Map Card of 2558 Winfield Rd.

Property Outlined in Light Blue. Note the Kanawha River to the
right and the Battlefield Grounds to the left. 

Meet Molly at the Elkhorn Inn and Theater

Empire Coal and Coke 'Miner's Clubhouse'
Source

The former town of Landgraff, located in McDowell County, WV, was a mining town under the operation of Empire Coal and Coke Company. In 1922, the coal company built a multi-story brick 'Miner's Clubhouse' to replace two wooden buildings that had burned down. Over the years, this building would go through many different incarnations. According to the Elkhorn Inn website, the building was used in the 1940's as housing for miners' families. In the early 1950's it was privately owned but became the office and residence of a mine supervisor and his family in 1957. Throughout the 1960's and 1970's, it was used as office space for Hawley Coal. In 1988, it became home to a company called Data Services. In the 1990's, it was owned by Billie Cherry and known as the Cherry-Key Inn. At one point, it even served as a dormitory for nurses, and later as a State Police barracks. 

As the town of Landgraff suffered from population decline, fires, and at least two devastating floods in 2001-2002, the old clubhouse was left as the only substantial historic structure in town. And, it almost met a similar fate, as it was slated for demolition. Luckily, two FEMA relief workers, Dan and Elisse Clark, purchased the building, spent a year renovating it, and opened it in May 2003 as the Elkhorn Inn and Theater. 

Today, the Elkhorn Inn is a haven for tourists coming to the southern coalfields for trail-riding, trout fishing, and 'rail-fanning,' as the inn is located along both the Elkhorn Creek and the NS Pocahontas line. There's also a variety of weekend getaway packages, gourmet meals provided by Chef Dan, and wonderful views of the fall foliage throughout Autumn. The Elkhorn Inn, which has 14 guestrooms, is also a stop on the Coal Heritage Trail, and is the only attraction on the trail that offers both dining and lodging options. On the first floor, in an area that was originally a coal camp doctor's office, is the inn's museum and gift shop, where you can learn about the history of the building, the town, and the coal mining history of Southern West Virginia, and then take home a unique souvenir to remember it by. 

Since Dan and Elisse took over the inn, it has been featured on numerous television shows and in several books....including two GHOST books! That's because the old inn is believed to be haunted by a spirit known affectionately as 'Molly.' 

During the initial renovations to the Elkhorn Inn, the Clarks, as well as other workers and friends, would hear strange sounds, including what sounded like shattering crystal and banging wood. Lights would turn on by themselves, and paintings removed themselves from the walls. 

Many who spent time in the inn claimed to feel or even SEE the spirit of a woman that Dan named Molly. Molly is an adult female, who is seen wearing either a long dress and button-up boots, or a blue blouse with her hair done up in a bun. Several psychics have confirmed that there is a female presence that calls the inn home. Luckily, Molly is a benevolent spirit who seems to watch over the inn. She prefers to make her presence known to staff and family, but on rare occasions, she has let paying guests know she's around. Once, she rattled the doorknob in a guestroom two nights in a row!

The Elkhorn Inn Facebook page has several photos they believe may be Molly trying to manifest, and there have been paranormal investigations/events conducted most notably by local ghost hunter, Mark Painter. One such investigation led to strange noises being captured in the former doctor's office/current gift shop. And, while it doesn't give a name, a Facebook post about the hauntings suggests that a ghost hunter also received a spectral massage while staying at the inn!

The next time you're in the southern coalfields of West Virginia and are looking for spooky opulence that's also pet friendly, stop in at the Elkhorn Inn. You might even get an in-room spectral spa treatment! 

Sources and Further Reading:

Elkhorn Inn and Theater Website

Elkhorn Inn and Theater Facebook Page

Mark Painter's Blog (Signs of Ghosts)

The Railroad Connection---this guest post by Elisse gives a beautiful account of how she and Dan fell in love with each other, and fell in love with the Elkhorn Inn. It's a great account of the building's known history, how they acquired it, and the work they put into it. 

Ferris, Gina. Sleeping Where Ghosts Dwell: Southeast. Amazon Link

Davis, Deborah. Some Things Go Bump in the Night: Haunted Hotels, Inns, B&B's, and Restaurants. Amazon Link 

The Half-Haunted House of Marmet

Marmet is a small community, located along the Kanawha River, just past Kanawha City. It's a town that my husband and I often end up driving through when we're just out sight-seeing...and it's a town that is REALLY fun to hear non-locals try to pronounce. Although you might not be able to tell just from looking at it, there's a lot of history in that little town. It is the location where on August 23, 1921, miners flooded in from surrounding mining communities to start their march towards Mingo County, resulting in the largest labor dispute in history. (See: Marmet--The Beginning of the Most Significant Labor Rebellion in American History)

It's also the location (or was, at least) to HALF a haunted house. Yes, that's correct; only half of this house was said to be haunted.

The house in question was a two-story brick home, which at one time served as the Sandberg Coal Company's offices. But, by the 1950's, it had a reputation of being haunted. It was reported in the January 17, 1952 edition of the Charleston Daily Mail that several readers had claimed that the home, located on a hillside near the railroad tracks, had a ghostly past. One such claimant was a 60 year old man who said that the house was known to be haunted ever since he was a little boy, and that no one would stay on the bottom floor.

But, other locals would claim that there wasn't anything to the stories. William Coleman, a former tenant, along with Arlie Compton, who was living in the home at the time of the article, both agreed that there were no ghosts to be found, although William did say there were occasionally some strange noises. 

What's even more interesting is that the owner of the property, lawyer R.D. McCabe, claimed that the first floor fell in years prior, and the basement flooded with water. No one could live on that first floor, but not because it was haunted...but because the first floor technically didn't really even exist! But, it was assumed that if there WAS anyone occupying that space, it would HAVE to be ghost...

The Charleston Daily Mail
17 January 1952

TALA Tales: An Escape Gone Wrong

The summer of 1891 was a summer of death for the Weston State Hospital, formerly known as the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum. When four patients died from either suicide or violent accidents within a short amount of time, authorities finally decided to look into matters. Although the hospital was not found to be at fault, one can't help but to notice that if properly supervised, at least a few of these deaths would never have happened. In addition to William 'Frank' Cook, who scalded himself to death in a bathtub (see William Cook, Cooked Alive), Guenther Schnelle, who hanged himself from a bar in his room (blog upcoming), and an unnamed man who committed suicide, there is Abraham Haines. 

72-year-old Abraham Haines was originally from Wood County but made Ward 9 on the fourth floor of the asylum home, along with other patients deemed demented, but generally harmless. On the evening of July 14th, the ward attendant took a group of patients out for some fresh air. Abraham declined to join them, claiming he was feeling unwell. But, instead of taking to his bed to rest, Abraham used this time alone to attempt an escape.

He used a piece of flooring to break a window, and then tied together his bedclothes into a rope, which he had tied to a pipe. Unfortunately, Abraham had just started his descent when the makeshift rope broke. He fell to his death on the pavement below. Originally, no inquest was held.  According to his entry in the Lewis County death archives, he "jumped or fell from roof of building." 

On that summer day, Abraham Haines did 'escape' asylum life, but he wouldn't be able to escape Weston State Hospital for good. He was buried two days later in the hospital cemetery. 

The News Journal
Lancaster, PA
7 September 1891

West Virginia Argus
29 October 1891

Wild Goose Farm (Shepherdstown)

 

Wild Goose Farm (1918)
Source: WV History on View

Shepherdstown is a historic town. Shepherdstown is a haunted town. Located in West Virginia's haunted and historic Eastern Panhandle, the town is so well-known for its haunted history that it even garnered its own television show, Ghosts of Shepherdstown, on Discovery+. The national attention that resulted from the show led me to discover quite a few new-to-me haunted locations in the area, including the Wild Goose Farm. 

On October 30, 2017, the local newspaper, The Journal, ran an article written by Emily Daniels. The article focused on the spooky experiences of resident Michelle Shultz, who lived in a couple of different haunted houses in the Panhandle, including a large property known as Wild Goose Farm. 

Today, Wild Goose Farm encompasses quite a few acres of land, many smaller buildings and barns, and of course, a beautiful mansion house at the center of it all. This mansion house is also where the ghostly activity seems most concentrated. And, with 200 years of history, give or take, there has been plenty of time for it to acquire a haunted reputation. 

It is believed that the base of the current mansion house was built around 1810 by the Stipp family, prior to selling the property to the Shepherd family. In some form or another, the Shepherd family owned and maintained the home, along with quite a bit of the surrounding property, from 1838 to 1911. During this time, major renovations to the home were undertaken by Rezin Shepherd. Rezin, who was a merchant in New Orleans, obviously incorporated that New Orleans/southern plantation influence into the style of the home. However, in 1911 when Edwin Jarrett purchased the property, HE made additions and changes, incorporating a more Greek Revival influence. 

According to the article in The Journal, Wild Goose Farm was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and also as a makeshift hospital during the Civil War. After a brief look into the history of the home, I can't confirm nor deny either claim, but just as a note: many large homes were used as makeshift 'hospitals' during the Civil War, especially in areas where fighting was occurring, or where troops were stationed for any amount of time. However, if it WAS used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, that came after Rezin's death; he was a slave owner and relied on slave labor in the south. I don't necessarily see him being a big abolitionist...

Anyway, the house has enough ghosts without worrying about exactly where they may have come from based on reported history! Michelle Shultz believes that there were at least three main ghosts that made their presence known while she lived there with her husband and son. 

While doing some repair work on the home, the Shultz family hired a stonemason. This stonemason's wife stopped by the work site one day and saw ghosts staring out the windows of the home at her. She claimed these ghosts included Mary, a little girl who haunted the third floor. Mary wasn't a fan of new people staying at the home and would express her displeasure by causing a thick, honey-like yellow goo to ooze out from a light fixture. Workmen were brought in to try to find the source of this goo, but no explanation was ever found, and it only happened when a new person was staying the night.

The second ghost was a slave named Joseph who lived in the basement. It may have been Joseph who was spotted by Shultz's husband one day. He had seen a Black man and two children just walking through the yard. When they noticed he saw them, the man waved. 

The last named ghost is an older woman called the 'memaw ghost.' Memaw may be the last of the apparitions seen, but the paranormal activity doesn't stop there. Michelle also noted a helpful ghost who woke her up every morning at 3:14am with the scent of fresh-brewed coffee! On the second floor, an alarm clock kept going off in the middle of the night, even when unplugged. It seems like the ghosts of Wild Goose really didn't appreciate anyone, guests or family, sleeping in.

In another incident, Michelle and a friend watched as an old hutch used to store antique hats swung its doors open and the hats flew out. Shadows of people walking were often seen under the doors by the family.  Another time, Michelle's husband was out on the porch of the secluded home and kept hearing a woman's voice calling 'hello!' 

Perhaps the scariest incident to occur happened in what was known as the Red Room. When the Shultz's older son, Zachary would film in that room, an abundance of orbs would always show up. But, it wasn't until a friend of his spent the night in that room that the entities present would really make themselves known. This friend became locked in the closet and has no idea how he got in there in the first place!

The Shultz family no longer lives at Wild Goose Farm, but the property thrives as a beautiful and unique wedding venue. I just wonder if the ghosts are still around...

Sources and Further Information:

Wild Goose Farm Website AND Facebook Page

"Living with Spirits: Michelle Shultz Sees, Hears, and Smells Ghosts", by Emily Daniels. The Joural. October 30, 2017.

National Register of Historic Places Application 

Thompson, Kathleen. "Wild Goose Farm." Clio: Your Guide to History. November 24, 2020.

        

Mandy the Haunted Doll

Source: Quesnel and District Museum

The collection of the Quesnel and District Museum and Archives of British Columbia has an interesting piece. What may seem like an ordinary, early 20th century doll with a damaged face is actually one of the museum's most often visited artifacts. That's because it's also one of the museum's most HAUNTED artifacts.

Not much is known about Mandy the Doll's early history, but it is estimated that she was made sometime between 1900 and 1920. In 1991, she was given to the museum by an anonymous female donor who claimed the doll gave her a weird vibe. She had inherited the doll from her grandmother, and for many years, it had been kept in a locked trunk. Legend states that one evening, the woman heard the cries of a baby, coming from the basement where Mandy's trunk was kept. Finally mustering up the courage to check it out, she found a window open, and Mandy missing. But, Mandy would somehow return the next morning, like she had never left at all. According to the museum, the woman donated the antique doll shortly after her daughter was born, both because she was creeped out by it, but also because she wanted to know the fragile doll would be kept safe. I can't help but wonder if she was more concerned with keeping her family safe from Mandy than the other way around!

In any event, Mandy came to live at the Quesnel and District Museum, and immediately began giving the staff problems. When Mandy was acquired by the museum, she had to be photographed and cataloged as an official part of their collection. Following this first day ritual, she was left overnight in the lab. As staff returned the next day, they found the lab in complete disarray. Items were knocked over, strewn about, and the room was just an overall mess. It was almost as if a child had had a temper tantrum. 

Source: Cabinet of Curiosities

Mandy would continue to throw her temper tantrums and prank the staff. Staff would report their paperwork, documents and even LUNCHES would go missing, only to be found later on in the most random of places. Also, Mandy could not be displayed near other dolls. Almost as if she was jealous of them, they'd be found knocked over whenever Mandy was left in a room alone with them.

The year 1999 was a busy year for Mandy. She was featured in the book, Supernatural Stories Around British Columbia. She was also flown to New York to appear on the Montel Williams Show for an episode with psychic, Sylvia Browne. Browne felt the doll had originally been owned by twin girls who had died of polio. It was their mother's grief that had left a psychic imprint on the doll. 

After her television appearance and her story published, Mandy began to draw quite a few visitors to the Quesnel Museum! People from miles around wanted to see the haunted doll for themselves. Unfortunately, Mandy wasn't too keen on them taking any souvenir pictures of her. Visitors found that when they tried to take a picture, their camera batteries would die or their flash would fail to initiate, leaving an underexposed piece of film. In that regard, she's very much like Robert the Doll, who resides in a museum in Key West. Robert also has been known to cause camera malfunctions and a string of bad luck to those who he deems disrespectful. 

Twenty-five years later, and Mandy is still available to view at the Quesnel and District Museum. You can read her story, including her scrapbook of reports from visitors and staff, watch YouTube clips of her, and if you're lucky....maybe she'll let you take her photograph! 

Sylvia Browne with Montel Williams

Sources and Further Reading:

Quesnel and District Museum

Horror Society

Cabinet of Curiosities