Huggin' Molly: The Spooky Legend of Abbeville, Alabama

If you ever visit Abbeville, Alabama, you might hear a strange story about a ghostly woman who roams the streets at night, looking for children to hug and scream at. Her name is Huggin' Molly, and she has been a part of the town's folklore for over a century.

The legend of Huggin' Molly dates back to the early 20th century, when Abbeville was a booming cotton town with a railroad and several mills. According to some versions of the story, Molly was a woman who had lost her child and went mad with grief. She would wander the streets at night, dressed in black, and hug any child she saw as if they were her own. She would also scream in their ears, either out of anguish or to scare them away.

Other versions of the story say that Molly was a witch or a phantom who had a grudge against the town or its children. Some say she was a former teacher who wanted to discipline her students for staying out too late. Some say she was a ghost of a woman who had died in childbirth or by suicide. Some say she was just a figment of imagination, created by parents who wanted their children to come home before dark.

Whatever her origin, Huggin' Molly became a well-known figure in Abbeville's culture and history. Many people claim to have seen her or heard her scream, especially on moonlit nights. Some say she is seven feet tall and as wide as a bale of cotton. Some say she wears a wide-brimmed hat and a long black skirt that sweeps the ground. Some say she only hugs children, while others say she hugs anyone who crosses her path.

Huggin' Molly has inspired songs, books, movies, and even a restaurant in Abbeville that serves burgers, sandwiches, salads, and ice cream. The restaurant is decorated with memorabilia and photos related to the legend, and has a statue of Molly outside its entrance. The restaurant also hosts an annual Huggin' Molly Festival in October, where people can enjoy live music, food trucks, vendors, games, and a haunted hayride.

Huggin' Molly is more than just a scary story. She is a symbol of Abbeville's heritage and identity, a reminder of its past and its present. She is also a source of curiosity and fun for visitors and locals alike, who enjoy sharing their stories and experiences with her. Whether you believe in her or not, Huggin' Molly is a legend that will never die.

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Tom Cypher’s Phatom Engine

Tom Cypher’s Phantom Engine: A Mysterious Legend of the Northern Pacific Railroad

If you are a fan of ghost stories and trains, you might have heard of Tom Cypher’s Phantom Engine, a mysterious locomotive that is said to haunt the Eagle Gorge in the Cascades, Washington. The legend goes back to 1892, when a train engineer named Tom Cypher was killed in a horrific accident at the gorge, along with his fireman and brakeman. According to some accounts, Cypher was trying to avoid a collision with another train that was running wild on the same track, but he failed to stop his engine in time and plunged into the abyss.

Ever since then, some people claim to have seen Cypher’s engine, No. 33, running along the track at night, with its headlight shining and its whistle blowing. Some say it is a ghostly apparition, while others believe it is a real engine that somehow escaped from the wreck and continued to roam the rails. Some even say that they have seen Cypher himself on the pilot of the engine, waving his lantern or gesturing to warn other trains of danger.

The legend of Tom Cypher’s Phantom Engine has been featured in several books and articles, as well as a 2018 episode of the TV show Mysteries at the Museum. It has also inspired some fictional works, such as a short story by Stephen King called “The Reaper’s Image”, which features a haunted mirror that shows the image of Cypher’s engine. The legend has also been a source of fascination for many train enthusiasts and paranormal investigators, who have tried to find evidence of the phantom engine or explain its origin.

Some possible explanations for the legend are:

- It is a hallucination caused by fatigue, stress or fear among the train crews who work on the dangerous route.

- It is a reflection or projection of another train’s headlight or lantern on the misty air or foggy windows.

- It is a hoax or prank perpetrated by someone who wants to scare or fool other people.

- It is a manifestation of collective memory or folklore that keeps alive the memory of a tragic event.

- It is a paranormal phenomenon that defies rational explanation.

Whatever the truth behind Tom Cypher’s Phantom Engine may be, it remains one of the most intriguing and enduring legends of the Northern Pacific Railroad and American ghost stories.

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Hell Dogs of Eldorado Canyon, NV

If you are looking for a spooky adventure in Nevada, you might want to visit Eldorado Canyon, a place that is said to be haunted by the ghosts of miners, outlaws, and even dogs. Yes, you read that right. Dogs.

Eldorado Canyon is a historic mining area that was once rich in silver and gold. It was also a lawless and violent place, where murders, robberies, and shootouts were common. Many people died here, either by natural causes or by the hands of others. Some of their restless spirits are believed to still linger in the canyon, especially near the old mines and buildings.

But perhaps the most intriguing and terrifying ghost stories of Eldorado Canyon are those of the hellhounds. These are not ordinary dogs, but vicious and spectral canines that were once owned by the miners to guard their claims. According to legend, these dogs were trained to attack any intruders, and many of them met their fate by being shot, starved, or abandoned by their owners.

Some people claim that these dogs still haunt the canyon, roaming in packs and hunting for prey. They are said to be invisible, but their presence can be felt by their panting, growling, and scratching sounds. Some even report being chased or attacked by these phantom hounds, feeling their teeth and claws on their flesh.

One of the most famous stories of the hellhounds involves two brothers who decided to camp near an old mine shaft in Eldorado Canyon. They found a chain embedded in the rock wall near the entrance, and a pile of bones that looked like a dog's skeleton inside the mine. As night fell, they heard coyotes howling in the distance, but soon they felt a strange and oppressive atmosphere around them. They heard heavy breathing and snarling noises coming from all directions, and saw the chain moving as if something was pulling it. They grabbed their gear and ran to their car, but they were followed by a pack of invisible dogs that kept pace with them for several miles.

This is just one of many stories of the hellhounds of Eldorado Canyon. If you are brave enough to visit this place, you might want to bring some protection with you. And don't forget to respect the spirits of those who died here, human or animal. You never know what might be lurking in the shadows.

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Haunted St Elmo, CO

If you are looking for a spooky adventure in Colorado, you might want to visit St Elmo, a ghost town that is said to be haunted by the spirits of its former residents. St Elmo was once a bustling mining town with over 2,000 people, but it became a ghost town after the mines closed and the railroad stopped running in the 1920s. Today, you can explore the well-preserved buildings and relics of St Elmo's past, but be prepared to encounter some paranormal activity along the way.

One of the most famous ghosts of St Elmo is Annabelle Stark, also known as Dirty Annie. She was the daughter of Anton and Anna Stark, who owned a general store and a hotel in St Elmo. Annabelle was known to be eccentric and rude, and she often carried a shotgun to scare away unwanted visitors. She lived in St Elmo until her death in 1960, and some say she never left. Many people have reported seeing her ghost wandering the streets or peering out of the windows of her old home. Some have even heard her voice or felt her presence.

Another haunted spot in St Elmo is the Mary Murphy Mine, which was the largest and most successful mine in the area. The mine produced millions of dollars worth of gold and silver, but it also claimed many lives due to accidents and explosions. Some of the miners who died in the mine are believed to haunt the tunnels and shafts, making noises or moving objects. Some visitors have also seen apparitions of miners dressed in old-fashioned clothing or heard their voices echoing in the dark.

St Elmo is not for the faint of heart, but it is a fascinating place to learn about Colorado's history and experience some supernatural phenomena. You can visit St Elmo year-round, but be aware that the roads can be snowy and icy in winter. You can also stay overnight at one of the cabins or campgrounds nearby, but don't be surprised if you hear some strange sounds or see some eerie sights during your stay.

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