What Happened to Thomas Steele? A WV State Pen Story

WV State Penitentiary
Source: WV History on View

 

In April of 1959, a letter was received by the Wheeling, WV police, addressed to Sgt. Elmer Hehr. The letter was from Francis W. (Chicago Red) Brassell, written from Brassell's jail cell in El Paso, Texas. Brassell was in the county jail, currently awaiting transfer to a state facility in Huntsville. He had been sentenced to 50 years for armed robbery and decided that now was as good a time as any to confess to an earlier crime. In the letter, Chicago Red Brassell admitted that in 1952, while incarcerated at the WV State Penitentiary for (you guessed it) armed robbery, he had killed a fellow inmate and made it look like a suicide. 

Brassell had been sent to the West Virginia State Penitentiary on November 19, 1947. He had received a ten year sentence for armed robbery in Kanawha County, but had served his sentence, and was released April 17, 1957. Two years later, he found himself sitting in a Texas jail cell for the same thing. Instead of ten years, however, he was being sentenced to 50 years with the added 'benefit' of working on a prison work crew, affectionately known as a 'chain gang' in the oppressive Texas heat. 

It is theorized that Brassell wrote the letter, hoping to get transferred back to West Virginia and serve out his sentence there. So, he made up a story that in October of 1952, he had strangled fellow inmate, Thomas G. Steele, then hung his body over the cell door to make it look like a suicide. The warden at the time, Donivan E. Adams, sent the Marshall County Prosecutor, Everett Fox, and a WV State Trooper, H.E. Robinson, to Texas for an investigation.

Thomas G. Steele was from Mason County. He was sent to the penitentiary in April of 1947 to serve out a 1-10 year sentence for grand larceny. In July of 1952, he decided he had had enough of prison life. While working at a prison work camp in Gypsy (Harrison County), Steele escaped. He was missing for 12 hours before he was found six miles away in a poison ivy patch. He surrendered peaceably.  However, there were consequences to his actions. 

Steele, along with Brassell and 2-3 other 'incorrigibles' were placed in Death Row cells so that the guards could better control and monitor them. It was in this cell block where Thomas Steele was found on October 4, 1952. His death was ruled a suicide and he was buried in the prison cemetery. He was just 23 years old. 

Thomas Steele's story probably would have ended there, if Brassell hadn't had the bright idea to take credit for the death. But, this grand plan of being sent back to West Virginia would not come to fruition. The only person who believed Brassell had been responsible for Steele's death was Everett Fox. Trooper Robinson, Warden Adams, and former Warden Orel J. Skeen, all believed the story was made up. Skeen, who was warden at the time of the incident, claimed that Brassell definitely had the mental capacity to commit murder, but didn't think it was physically possible. Brassell was a small man, weighing in at only 126 pounds. It would have been difficult for him to have strangled Steele, then hoisted his body up before being found out by the guards in their more secured setting. 

Officials went on to say that it didn't really matter, either way. Even if they had believed there was sufficient evidence to suggest Steele was murdered, they wouldn't bother to extradite him from Texas. And therefore, Steele's official cause of death remains 'suicide' and Brassell presumably served his time in a Texas prison. 

From a paranormal perspective, I find this case extremely interesting in regards to its potential for producing ghosts. Both suicide and murder victims are largely believed to stick around a location after their untimely death, but what if you were falsely accused of taking your own life, and your name was never cleared? To many, that false narrative is a really big deal, and the hunt for justice that is never going to come is more than enough reason to stick around and haunt a location. 

And what about Brassell? What really prompted him to confess to murder? A popular trope in these types of stories is that he felt compelled to finally admitting his crime by being haunted, either literally or figuratively by thoughts of Steele. Or, did he really just prefer to serve out a murder sentence over an armed robbery sentence if it meant being back in West Virginia? Could that draw to West Virginia actually be enough to cause his spirit to return to the old prison, despite dying beyond its walls? As an interesting side note, he's not the only prisoner I've read about who desperately wanted to be at WV State Penitentiary! We always hear about how violent and filthy and overcrowded the prison was throughout much of its operation, but inmates such as Bill Dorsey (story HERE) purposefully tried to be re-committed, and even Charles Manson has his infamous letter to the warden begging to be transferred. 

It's undeniable that the former West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville is a powerful place, with an energy that is all its own. Whether that energy draws you in, or causes you to run screaming from within its walls is a whole other mystery...

William Campbell Paroled from WV State Penitentiary

WV State Penitentiary 1910
Source: WV History on View

During the early 1900's, it was customary for the governor of West Virginia to grant a Christmas-time pardon to an inmate of the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville. Usually, this was the oldest prisoner in age and/or the prisoner who at that time, had served the longest sentence and was no longer considered a threat to society. I like to feature these pardons each December, but it's rare to come across a NON-holiday pardon (or in this case, early parole) of an inmate. However, I did stumble upon one such case from 1908.

In 1905, William Campbell, an African American from Summers County, was sentenced to 12 years at the penitentiary for his alleged role in a robbery that took place on a Chesapeake and Ohio train. He, along with several other African American men were accused of robbing three white men of $1.20 in cash, a watch, and a knife. The three white men were forced to exit the train at Hinton, and Campbell was later picked up in nearby Ronceverte. 

Despite the victims not being able to positively identify Campbell, they couldn't say he WASN'T there either, so he was convicted, all the while maintaining his innocence. 

Campbell was described as a model prisoner but was unable to do much of the hard labor usually assigned to inmates as part of their punishment. Instead, he spent at least two years almost exclusively in the infirmary with a terminal case of tuberculosis. In May of 1908, the warden of the penitentiary wrote to Governor Dawson, requesting an early release on behalf of Campbell. Campbell wasn't given long to live, and he had relatives in Washington, D.C. willing to care for him. The request was granted, and Campbell went to spend the rest of his days in our nation's capital. Unfortunately, due to his extremely common name and lack of other details, I was unable to definitively confirm when Campbell did finally succumb to his illness. But, I think it's safe to say that his final breath was NOT taken behind the iron bars of the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville. 

Want MORE West Virginia State Penitentiary articles? CLICK HERE!

The Daily Telegram
Clarksburg, WV
22 May 1908

 

Jessie Starcher: A WV State Pen Tragedy

Beckley Post-Herald
03 October 1951

Jessie/Jesse James Starcher was barely out of his teens when he was sent to the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville. The coal driller from Richwood, WV was found guilty of grand larceny/forgery and sentenced to serve 2 to 10 years in the penitentiary. 

However, prison life didn't seem to suit Mr. Starcher. Although he was a trusted enough prisoner to join a prison road camp, on May 1, 1949, Mr. Starcher walked away from that camp, which was located just outside of Charleston, WV. For over a month, Starcher wandered from state to state. On June 5, he was arrested in Youngstown, OH for public intoxication. With his conscience getting the better of him, he admitted to police that he was an escaped prisoner from WV. Apparently, the officers thought this was merely 'drunk talk,' and sent him on his way, telling him to "go home."

Instead of heading back home to West Virginia, he made his way to Cleveland to visit his sister. The following day, she accompanied him to the police station, again where he attempted to turn himself in to Detectives Michael Gaynor and Carl Roberts. He was held in custody until it was confirmed that yes, he WAS missing from the state penitentiary. He claimed that he escaped because after serving 16 months of his sentence, he was afraid he wouldn't be paroled until 1953.

Unfortunately, none of the news articles I could find explained Starcher's thought process. He was originally sentenced from 2 to 10 years. That means he only had eight months to go before the lower end of his sentence was up. He was obviously trusted enough that he was put on work detail in another part of the state! Why did he panic...and why was he so scared of that arbitrary 'middle' date of 1953? He surely had to know that should he be caught, an escape attempt would not fare well for his case. 

Whatever his reasoning, Starcher was sent back to the WV State Penitentiary. On October 2, 1951, however, he would attempt a different method of escape. That morning, he attended his regular on-site work detail but asked to go to his cell early because he wasn't feeling well. When a guard checked on him 45 minutes later, he was found in his South Hall cell, hanging from his belt. The time of death listed on his death certificate was 12:05pm. 

Jesse James Starcher was sent home to Richwood to be buried. Born September 30, 1928, he was the son of Leonard Starcher. 

The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
07 June 1949

Death Certificate for Jesse James Starcher
WV State Archives

Isaac Yates: A WV Penitentiary Story

Former site of the Death House and Gallows
at WV State Penitentiary. After the death penalty
was abolished, the space was turned into
basketball courts for the North Hall rec yard.

The second half of 1909 was a roller coaster of a time for Isaac N. Yates, a black man from McDowell County, West Virginia. That summer, he was arrested and convicted for the horrific crime of rape against his own 14 year old daughter. It took no time at all for a jury to convict him, and for him to be sentenced to hang at the West Virginia State Penitentiary on June 18th.

Around the same time, another black man from McDowell County---Arthur Brown---was convicted for murdering another man, and was also given a death sentence, to be carried out on the same day. Together, the two were transported to the penitentiary in Moundsville to await their fate in the dreaded Death House.

But, fate would be on their side. After a plea to WV Governor Glasscock, both men were granted a stay of execution until August 27th. This is where Brown's luck would end; he was hanged on that date after a full confession of his crime (I'll be posting another blog about him). He went to the gallows with as much dignity as a man who had killed a fellow man could muster. He was said to have an outstandingly cool, calm demeanor.

Meanwhile, Isaac Yates was also displaying behaviors not usually exhibited by a doomed man. Between June and August, the 117 pound man ballooned up to a weight of 171 pounds. He was all smiles, cheerfully chatting and laughing with guards. He even composed a song about his plight. In it, he praised Governor Glasscock for saving his life, but also blamed his own daughter for lying about the attack and getting him arrested. 

By order of the governor, Yates was examined by Dr. L.V. Guthrie of Huntington and Dr. A.J. Lyons of Spencer. Both men agreed that Yates was mentally irresponsible for his actions if not downright insane. As a result, August 27th only saw one man going to the gallows, while Yates was granted another three month reprieve. His new tentative execution date was set for December 3rd. Meanwhile, he would be watched closely to see if he really WAS mentally unsound, or simply faking it to avoid death. 

In late November, Captain Dawson of the WV State Penitentiary made a statement that he believed Yates was truly of unsound mind. As the state would not execute a man of unsound mind, he predicted that Yates' sentence would be commuted to a sentence of life imprisonment. This is the last time that Mr. Yates pops up in the newspaper archives that *I* have access to. I wasn't able to find any additional information on him, including any sort of WV death certificate. What is important, though, is that Mr. Yates' name does not appear on the list of the 112 state sanctioned executions carried out at the former WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville. 

Was he guilty of the crime? If so, was he of sound mind, or was he faking it? And what was his fate? It's possible he lived the rest of his days at the penitentiary. It's also possible that he was granted parole at some point. A further possibility is that he was transferred to one of the state hospitals for the mentally ill. What I personally want to know is how anyone in 1909 could pack on an astonishing 54lbs in just a few months, eating nothing but prison rations! 

*MORE WV State Penitentiary Articles*

Sources:

Yates Will Not Hang. 24 November 1909. The Point Pleasant Register.

Isaac Yates Granted Respite. 26 August 1909. The Independent Herald (Hinton, WV).

Respite Granted. 24 June 1909. The Clarksburg Telegram.

Composes Song. 14 July 1909. The Point Pleasant Register.

He Grows Fat. 25 August 1909. The Point Pleasant Register.

Joe Taylor's Death at the WV State Penitentiary

Cell Block at WV State Penitentiary, ca 1912
Source: WV History on View

The West Virginia State Penitentiary is one of the most haunted locations in the Mountain State, if the not the country. With a VERY long history of violence, including deaths from illness, suicide, murder, and execution, it's no wonder why many of the prison's former inmates are still sticking around...

There are plenty of ghost stories out there attached to the West Virginia State Penitentiary, and I've covered many of them here on Theresa's Haunted History. However, as part of my dedication to fully covering as much HISTORY as possible on these awesome spooky locations, every once in awhile, I like to share the non-paranormal stuff as well. I like to share the every day atmosphere of what it was like to live and work in these locations. I like to share interesting, and somewhat funny tales. And, I like to share the stories of those who called these places home...their lives and their deaths.

Today, I'll be sharing the story of Joseph 'Joe' Taylor, a middle-aged man from Putnam County who was a known dealer of illegal whiskey, an arsonist, and an all around bad dude. Despite being known in his hometown as a dangerous and hardened man, prison life proved just too much for Joe.

According to the (Point Pleasant) Weekly Register, Joe's legal woes go back to at least 1896, although I'm guessing he was already known to local law enforcement well before then. But, in November of that year, Joe had been on the lam. Not long before, he had been arrested for moonshining and taken to the Cabell County Jail, where he promptly escaped the next day. Joe had a change of heart, though and wrote a letter to Deputy Marshal D.W. Frampton, saying he wanted to surrender. 

Local papers didn't record whether or not Joe served any time for that infraction, or any other time before finally REALLY crossing the line in May of 1905.

Joe was still heavily involved in his bootleg whiskey business and living in Putnam County, WV. But, he had beef with another local family. William Larck/Lark/Larick and his wife, Alice lived about 4 miles from Winfield and were staunch members of the temperance movement. Early in May 1905, a member of the Larck family swore out a warrant for Joe Taylor for the illegal sale of whiskey. Deputy Sheriff C.A. Howell went to arrest Joe, but didn't actually take him into custody that evening, as Joe promised to appear before court on his own. Instead of showing up for court, however, several days later Joe showed up at the Larck family home.

In the early hours of May 25th, around 2am, seven shots were fired into the Larck home, where William and Alice lived with their 3-5 children (the number varies according to article). After the seven shots were fired into the home, an incendiary device was launched into the home, setting it ablaze. The family fled the burning home only to meet MORE gunfire. Mrs. Larck (one report says Mr. Larck, instead) was shot in the foot as she fled. Nearby neighbors, seeing the fire, started to arrive to help, and some of them swore they saw Joe running from the scene.

Joe couldn't be found, so bloodhounds were brought in, and the next morning he was found hiding in the loft/garrette of his own home. He was taken into custody, but talk of a lynching led authorities to take him to the jail in Charleston for his own safety. 

When Joe's trial finally concluded in August, it didn't end in Joe's favor. During the course of the trial, it came out that Joe had tried to bribe anyone and everyone he could. He tried to bribe Detective H.C. Smith to let him escape while held in Charleston. He tried to bribe Detective T.G. Cochran with $3000 to let him escape during his transport back to Winfield for trial. He also tried to bribe two 'friends,' Vess Burdette and Jerry Keen to say that they were with him on the night of May 24th. Vess and Jerry actually did show up to court to testify (they were promised $1000 each) but they got scared and left when they saw how upset everyone was over the attempted assassination of the Larck family and the act of arson that left them with their home completely destroyed.

Two people who DID testify on Joe's behalf were his aunt and his mother, who both claimed that he was home all night with them in the house they shared. As an added historical bonus, I did find a Taylor family living in the area on the 1880 census. 12 year old Joseph Taylor was living with his 80 year old grandmother, Frances Taylor, and her two daughters, Jennette and Leelie. It doesn't mention who Joseph's mother is, but I find it interesting they all have the same last name. It does sound like Joseph was borne to an unwed mother, who raised him with the help of his grandmother and aunt.

Anyway, their testimony did little to save him. After only 10 minutes of deliberation, the jury found him guilty on the charges of arson and attempted murder. Judge E.S. Doolittle sentenced him to a life sentence of hard labor at the West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville. 

For awhile, it seemed like Joe had come to terms with his plight. He had a job with the Joseph Klees & Sons Pants Factory, who contracted out prison labor for the price of 62 cents per inmate per day. It was said Joe was a hard-worker, but that he was difficult to get along with. Still, he was in good health and otherwise seemed as okay as one who was to spend the rest of his life in prison could be.

Until the night of February 11th, 1906.

At 2 am (there's a pattern here) Guard Maysfield was making his usual rounds throughout the cell block and found the approximately 36 year old Joe dead in his cell. Joe had taken his muffler, tied one end around his neck and the other to some wires in the ceiling, and lifted his feet up until he lost consciousness. Taylor had only been there 6-7 months. His family was notified of the death, but as of the last newspaper article available, no one had come forth to claim his body and he was presumably buried in the prison's cemetery. 

Thus ended the tragic tale of Joe Taylor. He was just one of many men who found themselves in a similar mental state of not being able to cope with the looming idea of a life in the WV State Pen. 

*Want MORE WV Penitentiary stories from Theresa? WV State Penitentiary Page*

Sources:

1880 US Census (Family Search)

The Weekly Register. 18 November 1896

The Fairmont West Virginian. 26 May 1905

The Weekly Register. 31 May 1905

Hinton Daily News. 21 August 1905

The Fairmont West Virginian. 21 August 1905

The Independent Herald. 15 February 1906

The Fairmont West Virginian. 30 April 1909

The Weekly Register. 23 August 1905

Woman Saved From Gallows: A WV State Penitentiary Story

(1924) Typical Women's Cell at
WV State Penitentiary in Moundsville
Source: WV History on View

Readers of Theresa's Haunted History blog know that from time to time, I enjoy sharing some non-ghosty history from the tri-state's most famously haunted locations, especially the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville! I think it really adds to the understanding of a haunted location to know what everyday life was like for those who called the location home. I also think its a great asset to the paranormal investigation process when you have an understanding of who may be there, what their normal routine was, and the 'current' events that took place during their lifetime. So, for today's blog, I wanted to share with you this article from the Herald-Dispatch (Huntington, WV) dated March 12, 1935. 

After shooting and killing quarry worker, William Mitchell, on October 13, 1934, Mrs. Frances Williams was sentenced to be executed. She would have been the first and only woman in West Virginia's history to face this tragic ending. Luckily, public outcry was taken seriously, and her sentence was commuted to a life sentence. Fun fact: Moundsville State Penitentiary housed female inmates up until about 1947, when they were transferred to the newly opened West Virginia Prison for Women in Pence Springs. (Source-WV Encyclopedia)

Governor Kump Commutes Death Sentence to Life Imprisonment

Charleston, Mar. 11--(Associated Press)---The first woman in West Virginia history to face execution was saved from death on the gallows today by Governor H. G. Kump.

The executive commuted the death sentence of Mrs. Frances Williams, 29, Negro, the mother of a six-year-old boy, to life imprisonment.  Thousands of petitions asking the governor to halt the execution poured into the pardon attorney's office from all sections of the state.

At Moundsville, Deputy Warden Clarence M. Stone said word of the governor's action had not been received, and the woman had not been notified.

Convicted of Killing Man

"We usually don't receive the notice for a day or two as it is sent by mail unless the execution date is close at hand," he said.

Mrs. Williams was sentenced to die March 15 by Circuit Judge Summers H. Sharp in the Greenbrier county circuit court last December 13 for the murder of William Mitchell, 45, a Negro stone quarry worker.

The state charged Mrs. Williams and Mitchell had been intimate, that they quarreled the day of the shooting last October 13 and Mitchell left her. Upon alighting from a train at Frazier that evening, Mitchell was shot to death by Mrs. Williams.  She claimed Mitchell had threatened her.

Mentally Subnormal

Pardon Attorney Frank R. Hill said Joseph M. Holt, who then was Greenbrier prosecuting attorney, the jury recommended commutation.  Hill said the woman, before her trial, offered to plead guilty and take a life sentence, but later changed her mind and went to trial.

"There was testimony at the trial that the woman suffered a severe head injury when she was young, and that she is mentally subnormal," Hill said. 

I'm 99% positive that I found Mitchell's death certificate on the WV State Archives Vital Records page. However, there are some inconsistencies. It states that Mitchell wasn't 45 years old, but 65 years old! He is listed as working at a rock quarry and being shot in the spine on or around October 13th. However, he didn't pass away from his injuries until October 24, 1934. 

Source

Want MORE resources and stories from the West Virginia State Penitentiary? Check out my new WV State Penitentiary Page for quick access to all my articles about the history and hauntings of one of West Virginia's most haunted locations!

West Virginia State Penitentiary Prisoner Pardoned for Christmas

Governor William E. Glasscock

Although most of the blog posts you'll find on Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State directly relate to the paranormal, (most often ghost stories and hauntings) every once in awhile I like to shake things up with a little bit of history.  As the history covered in today's blog relates to the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville, it is indirectly related to the paranormal.  The West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville no longer serves as an operational prison, but that doesn't mean that the souls of plenty of convicts aren't still trapped behind the steel bars and thick, rock walls. The prison is routinely given the distinction of one of the most haunted locations in the country, if not the world. 

Throughout the year, community events and historic tours are offered, as well as private and public ghost hunts and tours. It's one of my favorite places to investigate, and I love researching as much about the history of the location as I can in order to have a broader understanding of what prison life was like for the many inmates that called Moundsville home over the years. One aspect of prison life I wasn't expecting to learn about were 'Christmas Pardons.' Apparently, it used to be a thing for the governor to grant either the longest serving or the oldest prisoner at Moundsville a pardon at Christmas time. This article, transcribed below, is from the Pt. Pleasant Register, dated 9 November 1910 and discusses the pardon of Joe Battle, who served 18 years at the penitentiary. Unfortunately, the article goes on to discuss how it will NOT be a very Merry Christmas for another prisoner, who is scheduled to be executed at the same time. (Source: Chronicling America)

OLDEST CONVICT

In Penitentiary Will be Pardoned

Christmas by Governor

After serving eighteen years behind the gray walls of the Moundsville Penitentiary, for a crime he alleges he never committed, Joe Battle, the oldest convict in that institution, will be pardoned on Christmas Eve by governor Glasscock. Each Christmas a convict at the penitentiary is pardoned and this year the aged negro was fortunate in the lottery. 

With but one exception, Battle has served the longest term ever served by a convict behind the walls of the Moundsville prison. Vergie Gibson, who was pardoned a little over a year ago, also served a sentence of a similar length. The woman was convicted of aiding in burying her husband alive after rendering him unconscious.  Three negroes aided her, two of whom were executed on the gallows of the penitentiary.

The aged negro who has not seen his home for eighteen long years is expecting the pardon and has made all arrangements for his departure. The little money he saved since his confinement in the prison which he earned by working in the shops he has purchased Christmas presents for his wife and children.

While the approach of Christmas brings joy to Battle, there is another negro convict confined in 'murderers row' who looks on its approach with horror. This prisoner is John Wayne, convicted murderer who killed Mrs. John Aliff several months ago at Quinnmont, Fayette County. Wayne will pay the penalty for his crime on the gallows of the prison on December 23rd. Warden Matthews is already prepping for the execution. The scaffold will be repaired by the prison carpenter within a short time. The same rope that snapped out the life of Frank Waldon and John Brown will be used for Wayne. It cost the state several thousand dollars to prevent this negro from being lynched after his arrest. Both Huntington and Fayetteville were for awhile under martial law. 

Want MORE articles on the haunted West Virginia Penitentiary at Moundsville? Theresa's Haunted History has plenty of articles about the ghosts and history of this spooky institution, with more being planned for the near-future. 

The Ghost of Red Snyder at the WV State Penitentiary

The Ghost of RD Wall

The Shadow Man of the WV State Penitentiary 

Theresa Travels to the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville

Theresa Travels BACK to the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville

White Gate Cemetery: Burial Ground for the WV State Penitentiary

Mingo Man is WV State Penitentiary's First Prisoner of 1910

The Execution of Hugh Bragg

Legislation Could Shut Down Tourism at the WV State Penitentiary in Moundsville

I am sickened by recent news. As you all know, I choose to stay as far away from politics as I can on Theresa's Haunted History. However, our West Virginia legislature has made that impossible this term. Not only have bills been introduced that would allow commercial logging to destroy the history and natural beauty of our state parks, but now, they're attacking tourism at the West Virginia State Penitentiary in Moundsville!

Back when the prison shut down in 1995, it could have easily taken on the same fate as so many other old buildings. It could have been left just an empty hull in the middle of Moundsville, waiting for vandals and the elements to finish it off. However, it was saved from that fate when a group of citizens under the name of the Moundsville Economic Development Council secured a lease for the property. That lease was renewed in 2004, and under its provisions, would have lasted through 2029.

However, a small clause was found embedded in House Bill 43-28.

In section 15A-2-23 it states: “All current leases for or involving the West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville…are hereby abolished immediately. The commissioner is authorized, as lessor, to lease the West Virginia penitentiary in Moundsville, for a term of not more than five years.”

So, our lawmaker are planning on using a bill, which is otherwise a good thing, to shut down tourism at the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville. The bill is currently for review with the House Finance Committee.

What I need for every one of you reading this is to share, share, share! Get this information out to the citizens of West Virginia and to the paranormal research community! Follow the WV State Pen on Facebook for updates and easily shareable information. More importantly, I need you to make calls/send emails to members of the House Finance Committee and your local representatives and/or Governor Justice and let them know that we will not let them take this community asset away from us.

As a paranormal investigator and researcher, the West Virginia State Penitentiary holds a special place in my heart. They offer both private and public ghost hunts, which are top-notch. If you're not ready to go for a full investigation, you can choose a shortened version. There are also various guided tours available, usually given by a former CO of the prison!

These history tours are outstanding. For an extremely reasonable price, you get an excellent look at the prison, a comprehensive overview of its history, and a peek at what life was like for inmates and staff alike. These tours are not only educational, but they're FUN, and each guide has his/her own personality and spin on things so each tour is a little different and can be tailored to the group's interests. I have an 8 year old son who has already learned so much about local history, social history, and the history of corrections in general, and its all because of the WV State Penitentiary.

But the old prison offers so much more! Television shows and movies often use the location for filming. During the Halloween season, they offer a top-notch haunted dungeon attraction. When Escape Rooms started emerging on the scene, they added that element as well! People rent out areas of the property for parties, weddings, and other festivities. Community events are held, including plenty of family-friendly and kid-oriented entertainment.

My son enjoying a tour

Like many visitors, some who come from out of state and even out of country to visit the prison, we tend to sink plenty of money into the local economy on our trips to Moundsville! We eat at local restaurants and stay at local hotels. We purchase fuel from local gas stations and pick up forgotten travel items at local stores. And of course, we make sure to take home plenty of souvenirs from the prison's gift shop!

But that's still not all! We visit other local attractions while in the area! If we weren't drawn to the area to see the prison, we'd probably never stop in across the street and see the burial mound and its museum (and spend money in THEIR gift shop as well!). We might not have visited the Golden Palace, or the former Castle Halloween Museum, or any of the great locations of historical interest in the Wheeling area.

For over 100 years, the West Virginia State Penitentiary did its job housing the state's worst offenders. It was seen a place of violence, a place of sickness, a piece of dark, yet necessary history. Now, it has the opportunity to educate, to entertain, and to provide a safe place for the community to come together. Don't let a few lines stuck in a bill destroy that legacy.

*A petition has been started on Change.org to Save the West Virginia Penitentiary.*

The Haunted History of the Oahu Community Correctional Center

Source: Haunted Rooms

When I think of haunted prisons, I think of the WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville. I think of Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania. I think of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. The state of Hawaii does not, however, come to mind. Yet, it probably should, as even this island paradise is not without its history of haunted correctional facilities!

When I decided to find a new place in Hawaii to add to my Haunted America page, I did a simple Google search for 'haunted Hawaii.' I noticed that the Oahu Community Correctional Center consistently made the 'top haunted lists.' Unfortunately, in each article that I came across, the same information was presented---sometimes word for word.

It seems as if the current facility, which is equipped to hold 950 pre-trial detainees, as well as offering various educational and social outreach programs for offenders, sits atop the site of the old Oahu Prison. Historical information regarding the history of the center has been difficult to ascertain. At best, information is lacking. At worst, it is downright confusing and in some cases, conflicting reports come from different sources.  However, according to a government document, dated 19 May 2017 and entitled 'Future of the Oahu Community Correctional Center,' there has been some type of correctional facility on the site since the early 1900s. In the mid-1970s, an annex was added to one of the original buildings, and by 1982, a new jail building was added to the complex. Some sources say that at least one of the buildings on the campus of today's center go back to 1916, and early photographs from an 1888 magazine publication denote that the Oahu Prison was located on that site even further back.

Prisoners Eating Poi: Hawaii State Archives

No matter what the actual history of the site entails, it is common knowledge among both inmates and staff that the facility is haunted. Inmates often report that they can hear cell doors creaking open and slamming shut, even though no one is around at the time.

It is stated that 47 prisoners were hanged at the site between 1909 and 1944. When the new building was constructed, the offices were built atop the site of the former gallows. Because of this, staff members tend to avoid the squad room, refusing to sleep there while not on active duty. They say the room has an eerie, uncomfortable feeling and unexplained disturbances are common.

Since the actual Oahu Community Correctional Center opened up in the late 1970s/early 1980s, it has been subjected to habitual overcrowding, despite the construction of new facilities. Over time, the buildings themselves are also becoming outdated. So, recently, the Oahu Community Correctional Center has been hunting for a new home. What is extremely interesting about all that (at least to me!) is that according to a Honolulu Star article from November 14, 2017, the main candidate for the new facility is the current site of the animal quarantine facility. The article makes sure to mention that this facility is ALSO haunted! Part of the facility was built atop the old Halawa Naval Cemetery. It is believed that those buried in the cemetery, along with the traditional Hawaii Night Marchers who use this area as a route, haunt the quarantine station!

Theresa Travels Back to the WV State Penitentiary

View of the prison from atop Grave Creek Mound

Instead of taking one big vacation this summer, my family and I decided to do something a little different and take several mini-vacation getaways. One of those trips was an overnight stay to Moundsville, West Virginia, home of the infamously haunted former West Virginia State Penitentiary.

I had been to the penitentiary twice before, once with my friend Carrie as part of girl's day trip where we toured the Castle Halloween (a Halloween museum that used to be located in nearby Benwood, WV), took a historical tour of the prison, and then topped the day off with a trip to The Palace of Gold. The other time I had been was an actual overnight investigation of the prison with several members of HPIR.  However, Aaron and Luke had never been to Moundsville, and I'm always up for a trip to a haunted prison, so we decided to make a weekend out of it.

Mason-Dixon Line

The fun started on the way there. We took Route 2 for a big chunk of the trip, which allowed us to drive through some beautifully historic little towns, some of which are known for their own ghost stories. We even got to stop and examine a marker for the Mason-Dixon Line, which was REALLY unexpected.

Anyway, we arrived at the prison shortly thereafter. As we approached the parking area, Luke and Aaron were already in awe of the massive structure. Luke kept exclaiming how much it resembled a castle. We walked into the lobby area, and just caught the next tour leading out. Our tour guide was Chuck Ghent, a former correctional officer for the prison while it was in operation.

Now, I love Maggie Gray, another tour guide and former CO, to death and I think she's an excellent tour guide and resource. However, Chuck was absolutely awesome in his own right. He had a really dry, even sort of dark, sense of humor that I love, and that I'm sure he had to develop to cope with his work at the prison, especially his years in North Hall. He was extremely knowledgeable and had a great laid-back personality. In several areas of the prison, he'd give us the tour spiel, and then give the group plenty of time to explore the area on our own. There were even a few areas he let us in that weren't technically supposed to be on the tour, but are big areas of interest (such as the haunted boiler room where R.D. Wall's ghost is said to linger). He said that since many people traveled a long way to take these tours and might never again get the chance to visit, especially on the designated dates and times where those areas were accessible, then it didn't seem fair to not let us see them.

Where the 'Shadowman' was photographed

I am SO glad he had that attitude, because those extra touches really made the tour special for my son Luke, who was still 7 years old at the time. Luke is a great kid, and he's definitely his mother's son. We drag him to so many weird places its not even funny. He's been to more haunted locations than most adults, and he genuinely seems to enjoy visiting these spooky, yet historic locations. He was having a pretty good time, but his fun really started in the kitchen area.

Chuck had allowed the group to explore the dining hall and kitchen areas on our own, and its pretty damn dark back in some corners of the kitchen. That's the area where my team and I also saw and experienced some pretty weird stuff during our investigation. Even during the first historical tour that Carrie and I took, DURING the tour, while no one was back there AT ALL, we all heard noises like someone walking and a meal being prepared. Anyway, it was dark back there, yet Luke wanted to explore every nook and cranny and tiny room he could find. Being the ever-prepared investigator I am, I had put new batteries in my flashlight that morning, and had thrown the flashlight in my purse. I fished it out and gave it to Luke, but it refused to turn on. This was a well-made, fairly new flashlight and actual name-brand batteries, so I thought that maybe it had turned on while in my purse, and the batteries had drained. Luke gave the flashlight back to me, I put it in my pocket, and we continued with the tour. While walking down the hall to our next tour stop, Luke noticed that there was a light shining IN my pocket; that darn flashlight had turned on and was working perfectly. I switched it off, put it back in my pocket and we continued on.

Boiler Room Area

As I stated earlier, Chuck let us go down into the old boiler room and for some reason, Luke was super excited for this part of the tour, even though Chuck plainly told us about the murder and the rumors of the area being haunted. Luke, who sleeps with a nightlight on that is brighter than the sun, barged down the steps and started prowling around in complete darkness. Again, I fished the flashlight out and gave it to him. Again, IT DID NOT TURN ON. This did not stop my son, lol. A lot of people were down in the boiler area, so we could see fairly well thanks to their camera flashes and cell-phone flashlights. However, we ended up in some far away corner as everyone was leaving, and only by the grace of some woman who happened to walk by with a light did we make it out of there.

I thought Luke would be terrified, but he had no qualms with being in a pitch-black haunted boiler room. I don't think I had ever been as proud as I was at that moment.

We're locked in!

The tour continued with another highlight being the part where you can get 'locked in' one of the old cells. There are only a few cells available for the lock-in, so it takes a couple of rounds to get everyone through that wants to experience a few moments behind bars. And, like they do on a lot of tours, the guide pretended that one of the cell doors got stuck, and that the people inside would have to wait awhile until they got it fixed. It didn't happen to Luke and I, but he thought it was the most hilarious thing in the world that it happened to this other family that was on the tour. He talked about that for days afterwards, lol.

When it was finally time to end the tour, we spent some time in the museum area and gift shop. I think Luke's favorite part of the tour might have been learning about all the weapons the prisoners handcrafted out of various materials. That was another thing he talked about for days afterward. He picked out a souvenir fidget spinner and a t-shirt, and I bought a couple of books, including C.J. Plogger's The Tour at the West Virginia Penitentiary, which is largely about Chuck and his time at the prison. As I was at the counter paying for our goodies, the best part of the whole visit happened. After the last time my flashlight failed us, I just threw it in my purse. I had to open up my purse to get my wallet out, and lo and behold, that damn flashlight was in there, turned on full blast. I showed it to Luke, who was flabbergasted. He then begin to loudly theorize, much to the amusement of those around us, that this place was haunted and that a ghost had been messing with our flashlight all day long. He was sure of it...and, to be honest, the places where the flashlight refused to work were some of the haunted hot spots, so who knows.

Luke in North Hall cell

Each time I visit the West Virginia State Penitentiary, I have a great time and learn something new. This visit was no exception, except I think that most of my enjoyment stemmed from seeing my son have such a great time. Oh, and Aaron seemed to enjoy himself, too, lol.

The penitentiary was definitely a high point of our trip, but it wasn't the only wonderful place we were able to visit during our trip. We also visited the Archive of the Afterlife museum (which will be a blog all its own), the Grave Creek Mound and museum, and of course, we had to spend a huge chunk of time at New Vrindaban and the Palace of Gold. We had a lot of fun adventures this past summer, so keep an eye on the blog, as I try to get caught up with sharing them all with you!

*Want more prison ghost stories? Check out my blog about the true facts concerning the penitentiary's most infamous ghost, Red Snyder!*

The Shadow Man of WV State Penitentiary

This evening I'll be attending a public investigation event at the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville!  One of the ghosts I hope to encounter is the infamous Shadow Man.

Shadow Man, by Polly Gear

This iconic photo was taken by Polly Gear, co-founder of the Mountaineer Ghosts Paranormal Investigators.  It was taken around 1:30 am on May 7th, 2004, just a few hours after a severe thunderstorm rolled through the area.

The area you are seeing in the photo is the doorway to the cafeteria.  Polly was in the North Hallway walking south towards the lobby, when she heard a noise behind her, coming from the area of the doorway that leads to the cafeteria.  As she went to investigate the sound, she turned on her light and saw the shadowy figure of a man, who looked at her before darting back behind the door frame.  At the point that she saw the figure, she estimated she was about 10 feet away from him.  She began to back away from him and dropped her light in order to ready her camera for a picture.  At an estimated 110 feet from the figure, she managed to snap the famous photograph that has caused quite the stir in the paranormal world.

When TAPS filmed an episode at the prison for their Ghost Hunters television show, many believed they had solved the mystery. In episode 303, which aired on October 25, 2006, Jason and Grant attempted to debunk the Shadow Man photo. Since they were able to recreate a similar phenomenon employing the IR shadow theory, it couldn't have been a real ghost, right?

Close up of the door, taken by me on a 2017 tour

Well...that theory, while sounding good, doesn't account for the details provided by Polly about the conditions under which the photograph was obtained.  According to the awesome information provided by the Sparks Spirit Hunters, "an IR shadow occurs when there is an Infrared light source behind the investigator who is taking a photograph or video in the dark. The IR light is 'invisible' to the naked eye, so often the investigator is unaware that it is even shining on him or her. The investigator then snaps a picture with a camera that has the ability to capture this 'invisible' IR light.  The result is a shadow shaped like the investigator where they have blocked out the IR light.  It looks just like a Shadow Person!"

Graphic by Sparks Spirit Hunters

While it seems like the IR shadow is a very plausible explanation--and is a concept that ALL investigators need to be aware of, especially when investigating large, open areas-- as I said earlier, it just doesn't mesh with the circumstances.  We don't know if there was an IR source behind Polly when she took the photo, but there may have been since this was presumably an investigation.  However, Polly saw the shadow with her own eyes...and she saw the figure dart behind a door, independent of her own movements!  If this were an IR shadow, technically she shouldn't have been able to see it, and it certainly wouldn't have moved on its own.  Therefore, if we take this information as being truthful and accurate, that still leaves this photograph as unsolved.

But who is the Shadow Man?  I've heard theories ranging from it being the spirit of a former prisoner, possibly the infamous RD Wall who was murdered in the 1970's, to it being the spirit of a former guard who is still wandering the halls, keeping the prison in check.  Whoever it may be, I hope to meet him tonight!

Sources:
Interview with Polly Gear

IR Shadow information from Sparks Spirit Hunters

The Ghost of RD Wall at Moundsville

The Boiler Room, from Haunted History

Robert Daniel Wall, inmate #44670, was serving a life sentence at the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville for a Logan County rape conviction.  More commonly known as R.D., he was a model prisoner and a favorite of the wardens.  Therefore, he was entrusted to work as the inmate maintenance clerk. He spent the majority of his time under the administration building in what was the prison's boiler room, working and even living near the base of operations for the maintenance department.

Unfortunately it is there that his life ended.  On October 8, 1979, R.D. Wall was brutally attacked and killed.  His fingertips were cut off, and some believe he may even have been decapitated...or at least had his throat severely sliced.  Overall, it was a horribly bloody and vicious murder.

It's common knowledge that inmates serving sentences for certain crimes against women and children tend to be targets of violence for other inmates, but the prisoners of the WV state pen had another reason to hate R.D. Wall---it was widely accepted that he was a prison snitch.

Rumor has it that a day or so before, an inmate had overheard Wall speaking with Warden Richard Mohn about some of the activities of the other inmates.  After breakfast, a group of inmates snuck downstairs, armed with their homemade knives and attacked Wall.  He managed to briefly break free from his attackers, but died in an adjoining room.

Although there are a lot of rumors and false information out there about R.D. Wall, we do know from an Associated Press newspaper article about the murder that this, and another attack later in the day, followed a prison-wide theft investigation.  Was R.D. Wall really guilty of being a snitch, and if he was, did he have inside information about the thefts that were happening?

I took this photo of the area on a 2017 history tour. Even in broad daylight, the place was pitch-black!

It seems that either way, R.D. Wall is still roaming the area, trying to make contact with those who dare enter his basement home.  Women who have visited the area where he was killed have felt a hand stroking their hair or their cheek.  Disembodied footsteps and voices have been heard and a man in a khaki uniform, believed to be Wall, has been reported.  Some even believe that the infamous Moundsville Shadow Man may even be Wall!

Sources:
Tour Notes from Paranormal Investigators.com
Afterlife with No Parole: The Haunted History of the West Virginia Penitentiary, by Sherri Brake
Associated Press article, October 9, 1979

Newspaper article on RD's Death

This article appeared October 9, 1979 in Huntington's Herald-Dispatch:

ONE PRISONER SLAIN; THREE OTHERS HURT
Associated Press
Moundsville, W.Va. -- One inmate was stabbed to death and, in a separate fight, three others were injured at the West Virginia penitentiary yesterday, corrections officials said.

Two of the injured inmates--Boyd Tomlin and Dale Eugene McCoy--are from Cabell County.

The three inmates were among four who were fighting in the morning, McCoy said.  He described the incident as "a major disturbance-a big scuffle."  He said it was not a riot.

The fight followed a weekend investigation of thefts at the prison, McCoy said.

Earlier in the morning, inmate R.D. Walls, 57, was stabbed to death in the maintenance area of the northern section of the prison, according to prison Superintendent Richard Mohn.  He was serving a life sentence on a rape conviction from Logan County.  No one has been arrested in the stabbing, officials said.

"We can find no connection between the incidents," McCoy said.  State police were called to investigate, McCoy said. Tomlin, 26, was serving a five to 18 years on a murder conviction, prison officials said.  McCoy, 24, was serving a life sentence on a murder conviction. The third injured prisoner, Carl Echard, 33, was serving a life sentence on an armed robbery conviction from Wood County.

Tomlin was listed at Reynolds Memorial Hospital in fair condition and the other two were listed in good condition. A fourth inmate involved in the fight, Rudolph Green, was put in a segregated discipline area after the fight, prison officials said. A piece of pipe and a wrench were found in the area where the fight took place, Mohn said. Authorities closed off Jefferson Avenue in front of the prison for a time and the city fire department was put on alert.

Kentucky State Office Building

KY State Office Building

The Kentucky State Office Building in Frankfort was built over a period of several years, from 1937 to 1940.  Prior to its construction, the land it sits on was home to the original Kentucky State Prison.

The first Kentucky State Penitentiary was built in 1798 and the following year a branch was built in Eddyville.  By 1912, the Eddyville branch became the main penitentiary, while the facility in Frankfort was renamed the Kentucky State Reformatory.  As the name suggests, the Reformatory was supposed to have started handling younger, less violent offenders, but due to overcrowding issues at all the facilities, it continued to house prisoners of all ages and levels.

That overcrowding, in addition to severe flood damage in the mid-1930s, led to a major restructuring of Kentucky's penal system.  A new reformatory was built at another location, and the heavily damaged, outdated building at Frankfort was torn down to make room for a new office complex.

Original Kentucky State Penitentiary

Those working in the office building today believe that the souls of the Kentucky State Penitentiary/Reformatory  are still on the property...causing mischief throughout the building.  Many employees refuse to work in the building after hours due to all the strange things experienced over the years.  People have been touched.  They've heard voices and footsteps and seen shadows.  One ghost in particular likes to run the copy machine in an empty room, and another likes to rustle the paperwork in one of the cubicles.  Another witness reported seeing a man step into the elevator, but when he walked up to the elevator right as the door was closing, he could clearly see it was empty.  When he pushed the button, the elevator popped back open immediately, confirming that no one was inside.

During a period of time between 2005 and 2007, the building underwent extensive renovations, which seemed to have stirred up the activity.  Construction workers reported being grabbed by unseen hands, and at least one person claims to have been shoved down the stairs by someone who wasn't there.  The building opened back up in 2007, still housing various departments of state government, and....still housing a few ghosts as well.


Joint Investigation Data from SIGH and iGHOST
Personal Experience from Your Ghost Stories
The Haunted State Office Building
Kentucky State Reformatory History
Historic Photos 

Moundsville's Infamous Prisoner #45512: Red Snyder

The West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville is often credited as being one of the most haunted locations in the United States...and possibly the world.  With well over 100 years worth of the most violent criminals in the state passing through its stone walls, the prison has picked up a well-deserved reputation for being inhabited by those still serving out their sentences.

One of the most well known prisoners and one of Moundsville's most encountered spirits is William "Red" Snyder.  There are a lot of different stories concerning the mythos built up around this notorious murderer, many of which are not exactly true.  While it would be nearly impossible to do a thorough (and 100% accurate) portrayal of Red's history, I wanted to share a few pieces of documented history I was able to find out, as well as share some of his spirit's interactions with the living!

William Andrew "Red" Snyder was born 26 December 1946 to Emory and Laura Snyder of Lewis County, WV.  He was one of 12 children, some of which were older, some of which were younger than Red, who was often called "Billy" by his family.  Citing an obituary I found for his older sister, the children were: Betty Rae, David, Junior, Daisy, Zelma, Dora, Linda, Tommy, Bobby, Molly, and Jenitta.  Unfortunately, Red's mom, Laura, passed away at the early age of 43.  She died 22 July 1961 from complications due to breast cancer.

I haven't found out much about Red's early years, but a later newspaper article cites him as serving 32 months out of a 2-20 year sentence in Lewis County for arson, starting around April of 1965.  He served the time at the West Virginia State Penitentiary at Moundsville and was released on December 21, 1967. It was probably in prison where the nickname 'Red' took hold, thanks to his red hair.  He was also described as being 5'8'' with a stocky build and having hazel eyes.

It wasn't long after Red was released from prison that he'd find himself in trouble again...BIG trouble. Upon his release, he had found out that his 15 year old sister was dating a neighbor boy, a member of the Grogg family.  On Friday, January 5, 1968, Red planned on exacting his revenge on this boy.  Brandishing a high power rifle, he went into his father's bedroom in their home in the Dry Fork community and declared that he was going to "get that Grogg boy."  When his father tried to stop him, Red shot him in the head and fled the house, heading a mile up the road to the Frank Grogg residence.  Meanwhile, one of Red's younger siblings called the police.

Arriving at the Grogg residence, Red found that the parents, Frank and his wife, were not home.  They returned shortly after to find that Red had their 8 children, aged 3-22 years, held hostage at gunpoint. Grogg attempted to wrestle the gun away and was fatally shot in the chest.  City, state, and county police officers began arriving on scene and Red ran out of the house shooting at officers.  State Police Sergeant Andrick fired back, striking Red in the leg.  As he fell, other officers jumped on him and seized the gun.  He was found guilty of the murders of both Frank Grogg and his own father, Emory Snyder.  He'd never leave the state penitentiary again.

Prison life seemed to suit Red just fine, however, and he became a respected, yet highly feared prisoner and a leader in the Aryan Brotherhood, although he was somewhat of a loner.  Described as always wearing a toboggan hat, Snyder was a straight shooter with the guards and other prisoners.  If you didn't bother him, he didn't bother you, but if he wanted you dead, you better make your peace---and soon.  Snyder played a vital role in the 1986 prison riot, where three inmates were killed and 16 hostages were taken.  Several informants came forward and accused Red of having the inmates killed.  As a result of his involvement, as well as his suspected involvement in several other inmate deaths including a stabbing death in 1971, destruction of property, and tampering with locks, Red and his good friend, Rusty Lassiter were both assigned to North Hall, where the most violent offenders were housed.

According to an article in the Charleston Gazette, inmates housed in North Hall were usually given their recreation period alone and late at night.  However, Red and Lassiter were often allowed to take their recreation period at the same time as guards thought the friendship was good for both of them, psychologically.  It was during a Sunday evening, when the cell doors opened for the men.  Red was just coming out of his cell, number 20 (the very last cell on the ground level of B side in North Hall, marked with the words Aryan Brotherhood scribbled on the wall) when Rusty Lassiter ran up from his cell 10 feet away and attacked Red.  Lassiter had taken a metal part from his bed and filed it down into a shank, which he used to stab Red at least 15 times, but as many as 37 times by most accounts.  Red died in the early morning hours of November 16, 1992 after choking to death on his own blood.  According to former guard, Maggie Gray, Lassiter had been ordered to attack Red on order of Elijah Sutton, who wanted to take over leadership of the Aryan Brotherhood.  Gone was the feared and revered man who enjoyed watching Days of Our Lives, who was never without a chew of tobacco in, and who was distinguished by his raspy voice and unique laugh.

Red was supposed to be buried in the prison's cemetery on Tom's Run, known as White Gate Cemetery.  However, so respected and feared, even in death, by the other prisoners, they took up a collection to have his body taken to Riverview Cemetery, much to the outrage of local citizens.  After a brief fight, Red's body was allowed to be interred at Riverview, but no stone marks his final resting place.

Red's body may have finally made it out of the prison, but in the minds of many, his spirit never did.  One of the first people to encounter  Red's ghost was Maggie, who is now a tour guide for historical tours of the prison.  One morning before tours opened up, Maggie was doing her usual walk-through when she went passed Red's former cell and heard his distinct voice say, "Morning, Mag."  Intrigued, she sought the help of paranormal investigator, Polly Gear, and together they caught an EVP late one night.  Maggie was alone in Red's old cell and was telling him that his killer had recently been released.  When the recording was played back, Red seemed to answer back that he already knew.  As far as I can tell, Red doesn't necessarily like to be seen, but multiple investigators who have visited his former cell have claimed to have obtained EVP evidence, sometimes in not-so-nice language, and other communication in the form of EMF meter hits, ghost box sessions, etc.

Red was one of the prison's most notorious prisoners in life.  He has kept up that reputation in the afterlife, just waiting for the right person to come into his cell and have a chat.  Are you up for it?

Sources:
Laura Snyder's Death Certificate
The Herald-Advertiser 7 January 1968
Charleston Gazette 17 November 1992
The Haunted History of the West Virginia Penitentiary by Sherri Brake
Travel Channel's Ghost Story-Moundsville episode
Various resources from Ancestry.com