Charles J. Reid was a bright young man with a promising future in 1872. He was unmarried and still resided at home with his family in Xenia, Ohio. On that particular August morning, his parents, two sisters, and a visiting cousin waited on him at the breakfast table. Charles heContinue Reading
Frank Turnbrook left a wife and several daughters when he was summoned to fight in the Civil War. He would eventually be known as General Frank Turnbrook. Mrs. Turnbrook took her children into Maryland, where she thought they would be safe. They moved to a small town called Glenwood inContinue Reading
Reports flooded national headlines in December of 1938. The Sybert family lived along Wallen’s Creek in Powell Mountain. Their 3-room cabin was located in Lee County, Virginia. Their situation even baffled two esteemed psychologists from the University of Tennessee. The family reported scratching noises had started the previous month. TheContinue Reading
In the early 1900s, a cabin sat near Oak Level (then known as Stebbins), Virginia. The shack was known as “Aunt Tabby Anderson’s Place.” Tabitha Anderson, or “Aunt Tabby,” has gone through a sweeping change in just under a century. It is best to study both versions because they’re staggeringlyContinue Reading
As many genealogists can tell you, death certificate research is relatively modern. You can only go back so far and then it seems the paper trail just ends. It may be a surprise to you, but the death certificate is centuries younger than even census records. The most important yearContinue Reading
A wealthy bachelor named McKim owned a gristmill and much prosperous farming land in Virginia. His wealth made him very influential and citizens from the town all respected him. He was generous and kind, hosting many dinners and society events at his home. The parties he threw were lavish andContinue Reading
Does it really have a “body chute?” Did 100,000 people die in this hospital? Questions are plentiful when it comes to the Waverley Hills Sanatorium, but the urban legends are more colorful than the history. Many paranormal shows on television have covered the infamous Waverly Hills. It has been featuredContinue Reading
Crows have long been feared and maligned throughout history. A distant cousin of the raven, the crow is smaller, has a smaller beak, and a distinct “caw” call. Crows are often seen as a harbinger of death and doom. Many believe it is the reason a group of crows areContinue Reading
The Bunny Man legend has made its way through many states in the nation, but most people still don’t know how it started. Who was the “Bunny Man?” This staple of urban myth is a common tale in my state of Virginia. As a matter of fact, the Bunny ManContinue Reading
Jimsonweed is named after Jamestown, but actually gained notoriety due to a mass poisoning in 1676. The people of Jamestown, Virginia, who were primarily soldiers, believed they were simply enjoying a fresh salad. Unfortunately, the leaves and seeds induce delirium and bring about hallucinations. Strangely enough, humans have been poisonedContinue Reading