Central West Virginia's Guide To Life

Granny's Front Porch
By Susanna Holstein

October 2008 - The Ghostly Side of West Virginia

Anyone who has lived in this state for a while knows we have ghosts. Lots of them. Every ridge and holler seems to have its own restless spirit. I've heard many ghost stories firsthand from people in all areas of West Virginia--either personal experience, local legend, and or a story from our state's history.

Why do West Virginians tell so many ghost stories? Folklorists offer several theories:

1. The mist rising from our creeks and hollers at night appears ghostly and could be mistaken for a spiritual form. Certainly the fog looks spooky as it glides through the trees and up the ridges.

2. Original settlers brought stories here from their home countries, old tales of witches, ghosts, and spirits. Those stories may have evolved over the years to become localized, just as happened with the old English and Scottish ballads. British and German folktales are filled with supernatural references.

3. Many ghost stories are actually cautionary tales. They warn against specific places or behaviors. For example, the Booger Hole area in Clay County is rife with ghost stories perhaps stories started to keep children from playing around a dangerous area. People who gambled, cheated, stole or behaved in other socially unacceptable ways often come back, apparently, to haunt the places of their mis-deeds.

4. Many ghost stories tell of souls that did not complete their earthly mission and return to finish their work or seek justice. These are also cautionary tales do something bad to someone and they may come back to haunt you!

5. Mountain people are closer to nature and the spiritual world than those who live elsewhere. We are attuned to the weather, we know the travel patterns of deer and how to plant by the signs. Native Americans were also close to the natural world and their stories have many accounts of spirits. Perhaps mountain people are more sensitive to both the natural and the spiritual worlds?

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the stories are interesting and frequently include fascinating local history. So ask around. Someone is sure to tell you a tale to chill your bones on cool October evenings.

You might want to visit your local library and check out one of these collections of West Virginia ghost stories.

Musick, Ruth Ann. First Lady of West Virginia ghost stories and ghost story collecting, her books include: Ballads, Folk Songs & Folk Tales from West Virginia; Green Hills of Magic : West Virginia Folktales from Europe; Coffin Hollow, and Other Ghost Tales; The Telltale Lilac Bush, and Other West Virginia Ghost Tales.

Other ghost story collections: Deitz, Dennis. The Greenbrier Ghost and Other Strange Stories.

Roberts, Nancy. Appalachian Ghosts.

Jones, James G. Appalachian Ghost Stories and Other Tales.

Gainer, Patrick W. Witches, Ghosts and Signs: Folklore of the Southern Appalachians.

Holstein, Susanna "Granny Sue". Granny's Ghost Stories. Available from me!

Samples, Mack. Elk River Ghosts, and The Devil's Tea Table.

Shepard, Susan. Cry of the Banshee.

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