The best known literary example of headless ghost stories is that of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”.  The Mountain State has several legends featuring headless ghosts and one of them took place smack dab in the middle of the state. Located in the geographical center of West Virginia, lies the little community of Centralia.

Many years ago, a man by the name of Jacob Beamer was living in Centralia. Jacob was known as a local character of sorts and many thought him a bit odd. You see, Jacob made it known to all who would listen that his ancestors lived on the moon.  He had come to the area to work on the building of the West Virginia & Pittsburgh Railroad. (Later known at the B&O) The line ran from Buckhannon to Camden-on-Gauley and in 1890, Jacob was employed on this project. He was a hard worker but also enjoyed spinning yarns to those who would listen.

One of the rare stories that Jacob claimed to be true, was the fact his family came from the moon and that he had a guardian moon ghost. He claimed his family had the uncanny ability to travel back and forth among the planets. (Keep in mind this was many years before this was actually attempted by mankind) While his family travelled from the moon to the earth on one trip, a terrible accident occurred. A large meteor roared past earth and shook the land mass forming continents and changed the earth’s poles. This meteor also threw the moon farther into space and the Beamer family was left on trapped on earth.  The family adjusted to living here with the help of their guardian moon ghost who Jacob claimed would speak to him very often.

Jacob was a wanderer at heart and had a bit of a gypsy streak in his soul. He was fond of late night strolls in the country while the moon was full. Some of the locals speculated that Jacob took these late walks to speak with his guardian moon ghost. On one night while walking, Jacob was accidentally caught on the tracks when an approaching train struck him down. The train was venturing through a deep cut in the hill near the community of Centralia when it plowed over Jacob. Jacob’s dead body was found lying next to the tracks. He had been decapitated with the impact and his head was not with the body. People searched high and low for Jacob’s head but it was never found.

Many people through the years have claimed a peculiar sight takes place. Moonbeams would shine down brightly on the full moon night near the anniversary of Jacob Benders death. Near the big cut and the railroad tracks, a grayish colored ghost was often observed leading a headless man by the hand. Their movements are slow and precarious as they search both sides of the tracks apparently looking for Jacob’s lost head.

The last time that the two ghosts were observed, a deer hunter saw them as they ambled about. The hunter paused and as he did, he saw Jacob Beamer clutching the hand of the gray ghost and in his other arm, he cradled what appeared to be a white human skull. The deer hunter stood as if frozen in place and watched as the ghost led Jacob into the dense rhododendron bushes, disappearing into the shadows.

The apparitions of the moon ghost and Jacob Bender have not been seen in a very long time.  Many say Jacob is finally at rest.

Sherri Brake lives in Muddlety WV. Sherri is an author, paranormal investigator and owns Haunted Heartland Tours. Visit her website at www.HauntedHistory.net or email  Sherri@HauntedHistory.net.