Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State

Monday, May 23, 2011

Charleston's Spring Hill Cemetery

The city of Charleston was incorporated in 1794, with its original town cemetery being a small plot near the Kanawha River. By 1869, the cemetery was overcrowded, prompting officials to find a new location to bury the town's dead. In that same year, land was purchased for a sum of $2118.02, surveyed by Thomas Matthius, and laid out by A.J. Vosburg. The new cemetery was named Spring Hill after the "Chalybeate" spring nearby.

The oldest section is known as the "Old Circle." An original 20 acres has grown to over 172 acres, as Jewish, Roman Catholic, and other subdivisions have been added overlooking the state capitol building and downtown Charleston. In 1905, the city of Charleston demolished a "contagious hospital" no longer in use, and sold the land to the cemetery.

In the Potters' Field section, it is said there is a large, gnarled oak tree which was used for hangings and lynchings. Allegedly, one can hear strange strangling noises, said to come from the spirits of those who were hanged from the tree's thick, sturdy branch.

National Register Application

Solitude Farm, Cashmere

Solitude Farm is located in Monroe County, and was built in the 1840s by William Peck. It is rumored that William Peck had sent one of his slaves to England to study architecture and brick-laying, and thus he built L-shaped, two story home. Additions were made in the 1880s, and again after the turn of the century.

The house has only seen five owners in its existence...the Lowe family of Lowe's Hardware, Sean Mann and his family (1967-1998), a cattle rancher who never lived in the home, and then in 1999, Bill Gadd.

Voices, doors slamming, and footsteps are commonplace in this home, but there are several apparitions experienced as well. The first is a Confederate soldier, often seen on the staircase. He is in full regalia, and will often bow to women who spot him.

The second ghost is that of a crying infant. Legend states that Mrs. Peck became pregnant, and when she gave birth, it was obvious the child was racially mixed. Mr. Peck is said to have hunted down the suspected father and hanged him from an oak tree on the property. The infant was allowed to live in the home, but before its first birthday, it was either pushed or fell down the stairs to its death.

The suspected father of the child is also said to haunt the home, especially the area around the stairs. Witnesses have reported seeing a black man standing on the staircase or the landing with a red brick in his hand. This man is rumored to have been both the slave who was sent to England, AND the father of the child.

An upstairs bedroom called the "Pink Bedroom" is home to another ghost, experienced by Sean Mann among others. As Sean was in the bed, he saw the apparition of a young teenage girl wearing a white summer dress edged in lace. She asked him what he was doing in her bed. Legend states that a relative of the Peck family was staying in the home, when she fell in love with a black man. They had made plans to meet at a church picnic, but the girl's father found out. He attempted to shoot the man, but missed and killed his daughter instead.

Troy Taylor Article

Phantom Ambulances and More at Abandoned Man Community Hospital

Man is a small community located in Logan County, WV.

In 1954, construction began on the Man Community Hospital. While breaking ground for the new hospital, a major Indian village dating from about 1450-1550 A.D. was unearthed.

It was later discovered that this village spanned throughout the property of the hospital, and nearby Man High School on East MacDonald Avenue.

The hospital closed in 2001 due to budget cuts. Details on the haunting phenomenon have been scarce, but there are tales of phantom ambulances pulling up, electrical disturbances, and the general symptoms of unexplained noises, etc. If anyone has any stories or details, please let me know!

Photo property of Abandoned Online

The Haunting of Hale House

The Hale House was built in 1838 and served as home to Dr. John P. Hale, who became one of the area's leading salt industrialists. Dr. Hale was also the mayor of Charleston, and in 1871, was instrumental in bringing the state capitol here. He also financed the world's first brick paved street, Charleston's Summers Street.

Before the Civil War, the area of Malden was known as Kanawha Salines, and since the early 1800s had been the area's leading producer in salt brine. The Hale House was built on land owned by the Ruffner Family, in what was known as the "Saltborough" Subdivision, now referred to as "Old Malden." In 1991, the house was restored for use by the Cabin Creek Quilt Co-Op. Today it is owned by West Virginia State College University, who host tours of the home.

Sometime during its long history, the house is said to have picked up a ghost or two. A lady was living there with her abusive husband and her husband's uncle, when the husband was murdered. The murder was never solved, and the murdered man's restless spirit remains, searching for justice.

Malden History

(Photo Property of Theresa Racer)

Glen Ferris Inn

Photo by Theresa Racer

*UPDATED JANUARY 2022*

On January 21th, 2022, the Spectral Research and Investigation team will be traveling to Fayette County to investigate the haunted and historic Glen Ferris Inn!

I think I first became aware of the hauntings at this beautiful structure through the wonderful book, A Guide to Haunted West Virginia. Authors Walter Gavenda and Michael T. Shoemaker visited the Glen Ferris Inn, located on the banks of the Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls and share some of the spooky rumors about the old building.

Allegedly, the Glen Ferris Inn is haunted by an apparition affectionately known as 'The Colonel.' The Colonel is described as a man with a long beard, dressed in a Confederate officer's uniform. He's mostly seen in the hallway leading to the inn's original kitchen. Oddly, he's reported as only being seen from the waist up! Gavenda and Shoemaker note that The Colonel, although seemingly sulky, can be a tad helpful, and even playful. In one instance, a cook carrying some items out of the walk-in cooler had the door closed behind her. The door was too heavy to close by itself, and no one was around, so she thanked the Colonel, and went on with her work. In another instance, a former owner of the inn noticed some strange activity going on in a bird bath in the garden. Although it was a calm, clear day with no other disturbances, the water in the birdbath frothed and sloshed around in a frenzy! That kind of activity makes the reported early morning phantom footsteps seem rather mundane in comparison.

In recent years, the ghosts of the Glen Ferris are still making their presence known. The Colonel has been seen in Room 102 as recent as 2018. A couple was staying in the room when the wife rolled over and saw the image of the Colonel sitting in the chair by the bed. He had a long, white beard and was wearing a hat. He simply got up, walked towards the door, and vanished.

In addition to the Colonel, it seems as if one or more children may also be haunting the old inn. In a recent video interview (The Frontiersman Travel Adventures), an employee named Tina said she was dusting the big buffet, located in the inside dining room when she heard a little girl's voice say something like, 'hello, there!' Another employee, Jennifer, confirmed that she had heard the same voice at a different time. Further, there is a chess/checkers set in the main lobby. It is said that when no one is around, you can hear children playing with the game.

So who is the Colonel who still haunts the halls of the hotel? Many believe that he is a Confederate officer, and indeed the inn does have a connection with the Civil War. However, the answer may not be so straight forward!

The original structure that would blossom into the Glen Ferris Inn was built probably between 1810 and 1815, possibly by two Irish men. Records show us that the property belonged to a group of brothers named Hough or Hugh in 1809, but it wasn't until 1817 that the property transferred from John and Molly Hansford (being noted in the deed that this was the old William Morris property) to Aaron Stockton.

Aaron Stockton was born in New Jersey, and after a brief stint in the militia during the War of 1812, made his way down to the Kanawha Valley to work in the salt industry with his brother in law, William Tompkins. Stockton was a businessman...and a good one at that. He owned quite a bit of property throughout what would be Fayette and Kanawha Counties, operated a mill and a ferry, manufactured boats, and even discovered cannel coal on one of his properties. But, for our purposes, he's mostly well known for being the keeper of a tavern, located on the banks of the Kanawha.

What would later become the Glen Ferris Inn started off as a family home for Aaron, his wife Elizabeth, and their six children. However, by 1827 the James River and Kanawha Turnpike was established, running directly by the home. The family started taking in the occasional stagecoach traveler overnight before finally seeing a wonderful new business venture. In 1839, Stockton paid $20 for his first tavern license, allowing him to accommodate overnight guests, as well as serve food AND alcohol. The family home had officially become Stockton's Inn.

Those who knew Stockton had some...differing...ways of describing him. Physically, he was known as being a big man, but I don't mean 'tall.' Rather, he was known for being rather portly, and in his older years, sported a long, white beard. Personality wise, he was seemingly well-liked by his neighbors and those who did business with him. However, it has been noted that Stockton could be reckless, quarrelsome, and litigious (and sure enough, I did find some newspaper articles involving him suing others for various reasons). He was also known to be a gambler, but at least one source points out that it was less about the gambling and the money, and more about having fun with the boys. Oh, and did I mention he had a nickname? He was known as THE COLONEL! Although he did serve in the War of 1812, he didn't earn that title there. Rather, it was common in those days to refer to tavern and/or ordinary owners as Colonel.

In my opinion, that's probably where the ghost got its name, but people do insist that the man they're seeing is from the Civil War era. That's also a possibility.

Camp Reynolds, a Union camp, was stationed across the river from the Stockton Inn, and the inn itself was taken over by Union troops and used as a Quartermasters' Depot. There were some minor skirmishes, with cannon fire being shot across the river, but luckily, little to no damage was inflicted upon the inn. There are also rumors that the inn was used as a makeshift Civil War era hospital, and that the ghostly Colonel was a patient who passed away there. Although there isn't any real documentation to prove it, many larger homes and buildings were used 'unofficially' to treat and nurse patients back then, and it is completely within the realm of possibility that anyone ill, injured, or dying would have been taken to the tavern. It may also be important to note that Stockton was a Confederate sympathizer and slave owner.

Stockton survived the war, but passed away in 1869. That same year, his youngest child, Jane, married William Hawkins and they inherited the property. Jane and William continued to take in travelers under the name of the "Hawkins Hotel", but when the railroad came through in 1874, much of the stagecoach traffic dried up, and the inn mostly reverted back into a private family residence. The property was inherited by their daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Hawkins Williamson, who, in 1910, hired Bonaventura Bosia to make some extensive improvements. Mr. Bosia added the third story, the famous classical columns, and the unique wall around the property. Throughout this time, Mrs. Williamson stuck with family tradition and hosted travelers, as well as the occasional boarder.

In the 1920s, the inn finally left the Stockton Family and was purchased by Electrometallurgical Corporation (EMCO) and its parent company, Union Carbide. This was a pretty interesting time for the inn. The building served as housing for EMCO workers working on building the ferroalloy plant as well as the Hawks Nest Tunnel. There was more simple, dormitory style rooming for young, unmarried laborers, and nicer suites for the higher-ups and visiting executives. In addition, the building became a recreational facility for the company, with a movie theater, billiards, dining, and more. Dances and parties and suppers were held there and more renovations were undertaken. And, if there was any space available, those outside the company could also rent a room.

Then, the 1930s and 1940s saw a huge increase in automobile traffic along what was now known as US Route 60. As less space was needed for workers, EMCO started opening up the building to the public more and more, and it officially became known as the Glen Ferris Inn. In 1981, the Norwegian firm, Elkem, inherited the inn when it bought out Union Carbide's metals division, and continued operating the Glen Ferris Inn as a tourist stop, offering dining and overnight accommodations. Then, it 1996, the hotel was purchased by Dan and Rebecca Hill who continued to improve and update the inn. Although ownership briefly transferred to business partners Tom Willis and HB Gil, the inn was soon back with the Hills, who owned it until just recently. The Glen Ferris was purchased in September 2021 by Pete and Steve Lopez, and is ready for its next chapter!

Spectral Research and Investigation is thrilled to be a part of this next chapter as we explore the history behind the hauntings. We will be using a combination of scientific research and historical documentation to hopefully uncover who the Colonel really is---Aaron Stockton, or an unnamed Confederate soldier. I hope you'll join us as we go live throughout the evening, sharing our research and findings in our quest to provide answers to the owners, and answers to our own questions about the ghosts who haunt the Glen Ferris Inn!

I also hope that whatever OUR findings, you'll book a stay at this wonderfully historic hotel the next time you're in the area! I've eaten dinner there (outstanding food at super reasonable rates with great service) but I've never spent the night. I've heard nothing but good things about it, though, and it seems like the perfect place for a cozy weekend getaway for those wanting to check out sites such as Hawks Nest State Park, The Mystery Hole in Anstead, the ghost town of Thurmond, and Cathedral Falls. And even if you don't get to see the ghost of the Colonel sitting by your bed, you're sure to get a good meal and a good night's sleep. Be sure to check out the Glen Ferris Inn's official website as well as their Facebook page for specials, updates, and information on booking your stay.

Huntington's Spring Hill Cemetery

The year Huntington was established, the city set aside almost 30 acres for use as a public cemetery. The land was purchased from Collis P. Huntington's Central Land Company and named after the Old Spring House nearby.

The first official burial was for Josephine Webb, which took place in 1873. However, the 1838 grave of Elizabeth Prosser was already erected in a field included in the acreage, so its listed as the "unofficial" first burial for the cemetery. As a spooky side note---there is an old southern belief that the first person buried in a new cemetery is destined to become that cemetery's protector, or guardian. Their spirit is said to remain on earth, protecting the sacred site until called home. So, who would be the Graveyard Guardian in this case...Josephine or Elizabeth? Anyway....

Bias stone. Photo by Ernie Wright

The original cemetery included a potter's field, although today, all such burials are reserved for the Highland Cemetery. Over the years, as the city grew, small family cemeteries were relocated to the grounds of Spring Hill. Gen. Albert Jenkins was moved here in the 1920s, and is buried among 300 civil war soldiers. A brick chapel on the grounds now serves as a sales office, but originally held funeral services. A yellow sexton's house was located near the side entrance, but has since been torn down. The last sexton was Arden Ross, who retired in 1998. The superintendent now looks over the cemetery, but does not live on the grounds.

During the 1903 smallpox and the 1918 flu epidemics, many victims were buried here, some in the potter's field section. Rumor has it that some of these were buried in mass graves. What is known is that many of these flu victims did not have any funeral service due to the widespread contagious nature of the illness. One such family had a grandfather (William Alfred Bias) who passed away during the 1903 smallpox epidemic, and was buried one day along with dozens of others. Several of his sons sneaked out and waited outside the fence near the family plot for his burial to take place. When he was placed in the ground, the boys said a few prayers, but then noticed a ball of light hovering above the grandfather's grave, which slowly lifted up and floated away. The boys followed it all the way home, where it went through the front door of the house with a thud. This story, as told by Betty Burns Lusher, can be found in The Greenbrier Ghost and Other Strange Stories, by Dennis Deitz.

Today, there are still rumors of the cemetery being haunted. There is some belief that the hauntings are connected to the many flu/smallpox epidemic victims, or even with the old Huntington State Hospital across the street. Whomever the ghosts may be or wherever they may come from, its important to note that not ALL the perceived paranormal activity found in Spring Hill is what it seems! A local newspaper article from 1911 tells the story of the sexton for Spring Hill Cemetery deciding to play a little prank on some young lovers that were using the cemetery grounds as a rendezvous spot. He climbed into an empty coffin, made some spooky noises, and then jumped out at them. Needless to say, they never came back.

More information about the history of this cemetery can be found in Joseph Platania's Huntington Quarterly article, issue 49.

*Updated January 2018*

The Pink Lady of Shelton College

In September of 1871, the Guyandotte Baptist Association began plans for establishing a school of higher learning. The association decided that the best place to put the school would be along the Kanawha River in the town of Coalsmouth, now St. Albans. While funding was being secured for a site and construction , the school opened inside the Town Hall Building as the Baptist Coalsmouth High School. Classes began October 1, 1872 and led by Prof. H.W. Hovey, assistant teacher, and Rev. P.B. Reynolds, principal.

In 1873, the foundation was laid, but money issues caused a halt in construction. Mr. T.M. Shelton gave a loan of several thousand dollars, allowing construction to be completed by 1875. Over the following years, the school still struggled financially. In 1878, the name of the school was changed to Shelton College, in honor of T.M. Shelton, who continued to offer financial assistance.

By 1883, the school was still struggling financially and had a low enrollment, despite the efforts of staff and the Baptist Association to turn the academy into a respectable college. That year, a joint stock company was organized to purchase the school and pay off the debt. Under private control, Rev. Baylus Cade, followed by W.G. Miller, acted as principal. By 1887, there were 52 students taking regular English and classical courses, plus music and "special normal courses." The following year boasted an enrollment of 70 students, both male and female, and by 1889, the school was debt free.

However, low enrollment coupled with financial stress led to the closing of the school in the early 1900s, and by 1911, it was converted into a private residence. Over the years, many families living in the house have encountered the "pink lady." The pink lady is seen in a flowing gown, long hair, and enshrouded in a glowing pink light. It is rumored that this lady is the first mistress of the home. She is also seen in a local cemetery where her baby is allegedly buried.