The Appalachian region is full of rich history and that comes into play at this perfect time of year. What with cool nights, eerie full moons, discourse of spooks, and haints......Halloween is a time of year that is chock full of story telling.
This ghost story originates in Pikeville, Kentucky. It is the sad tale of Mrs. Octavia Hatcher. Just after giving birth to her first child, Octavia came down with a mysterious illness in 1891. Her baby died not too long after being born and many of the locals believed her to be suffering from depression. Soon she went into a coma like state and the doctors declared her dead within a few days.
Soon after Octavia's death several townsfolk came down with a mysterious sleep like illness. Some speculate that this illness was spread by an insect. The doctor soon realized his mistake concerning Octavia and had her body exhumed. After opening the coffin it was obvious that she had been buried alive and suffered a horrible death by asphyxiation. There were reported to be scratch marks in the casket lid where Octavia had attempted to escape.
Octavia was re-interred in the family plot.
It is said that a misty apparition appears around her grave at night and residents have reported sounds of crying near her grave.
Oh goodness! What a horrible (2nd) death! No wonder she didn't find peace!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I hate the scary stuff at this time of year!!! Eek!
Oh that's creepy...perfect for a spooky Halloween night!!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that is the perfect ghost story! creepy!
ReplyDeleteBurden of life.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all a good and wonderful start into the weekend.
daily athens
What an AWFUL way to go...the second time, that is!
ReplyDeleteFarmchick, what a great story. I grew up in Appalachia and not all that far from Pikeville, KY, probably two hours. Travel through there a few times a year. I've never heard this ghostly tale and I've heard some good ones through the years...this is a good one :)
ReplyDeleteAmy
Now that is a scary story. Nice looking house though.
ReplyDeleteAmy - I looked all over the web, and a few books, for ghost stories in the area and this one kept popping up. I had never heard of it either.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. This is horrifying...I am not too good with scary stories!!!
ReplyDeleteI usually hide on Halloween:))
Have a wonderful weekend!
Halloween and all;)
I'm claustrophobic and probably misspelled the word. Can't imagine it!Poor lady. I'd be less than peaceful too.
ReplyDeleteI am a total freak and would not move into an old house. We had our house built. It's the only way I can guarantee no one died in it. Well, if my kids don't quit pissing me off, that might change.
ReplyDeleteYou've been listening to too many old-timey ballads! They really do evoke simpler times in small Appalachian towns. Sheila Kay Adams is one of my favorite. Do you know her music?
ReplyDeleteI'm lucky to read this at breakfast, nice pictures and a great story!
ReplyDeleteI like the shot of the building... and your retelling of the tale.
ReplyDeleteOh great! Like I'm really going to be able to sleep tonight.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had halloween here in RSA, I love hearing ghost stories,we are planning a ghost story evening in the near future with family and friends gathering together armed with their best ghost stories! Poor Octavia, what a horrible way to die, everyone's worst "nightmare" I believe!
ReplyDeleteEwwww -- that would be one terrible way to go (not that any of them are particularly pleasant.)
ReplyDeleteI bet that happened alot back in the old days -- being buried alive. I think Edgar Allen Poe wrote a story about that.
Great tale and photos to go with it. Happy Halloween!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! that's me running away from the gravesite, scared.
ReplyDeleteHappy Halloween!!! xo
spooky
ReplyDeletethanks for visiting,love yar blog.
ReplyDeletex
Hey Dude,ess Farmchick,
ReplyDeletethanks again for your comment.I changed the video so your comment vanished.
x
Farmchick -- I think your post presentations are A+! -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGreensboro - I have not heard of that artist, but I do love old time ballads and have come to really enjoy Bluegrass music since moving here.
ReplyDeleteBarbara - Thank you!
ACK~~~~!!!!! If I have a bad dream tonight, you will be hearing from me tomorrow! ;-) Sooooo glad Halloween is over in two days! ICK!
ReplyDeleteSpooky house to go along with that spooky story. Your talking right up my alley. I love spooky! tee hee
ReplyDeletespooky story, Farmchick. I've always heard that in the old days people were afraid of being buried alive. Guess they had reason to be.
ReplyDeleteLove your ghost story and your blog. Nothing like small town living. You never have to make a decision, everyone tells you what to do, or tries to.
ReplyDeleteoh that's terrible. poor Mrs. Hatcher! I hate scary stuff - movies, stories, etc.
ReplyDeleteExcept for Edgar Allan Poe - now he was some kinda scary writer!