Episode Transcript
[00:00:08] Speaker A: Hello, friends, loyal listeners and bears everywhere.
Welcome to the Sound Barrier podcast in Northeast State Community College. It's that time of year again. The shadows along the sunsets are getting deep earlier and earlier.
Here in the Appalachian Mountains, some of the oldest mountains in the world, the valleys get dark soon.
Valleys that hold secrets, secrets that are centuries old, if not older.
When the settlers came to Appalachia, they found the mountains and they brought with them their legends, their folklore.
And they found a lot of new ones, too.
This is the spooky episode of the Sound Barrier, just in time for Halloween.
What lurks in our streets, in our valleys, across the farms we may have played in as kids?
All kinds of phantoms, specters and ghosts haunt southern Appalachia, and we're here to talk about a few of them today.
So let's get right into it, because Halloween is a whole season long, and it's the perfect time to settle down with a cup of cocoa and listen.
Standing in Abingdon, Virginia, the stately Martha Washington Inn, or as the Martha, as it's called today.
The ghost stories of this hotel are reported by so many people, its history going back more than 150 years.
The inn started as a private home built in 1832 for General Francis Preston, Sarah Buchanan Preston and their nine children.
The building standing now was built around their original home. In 1858, the mansion was purchased from the Preston family, became a college for young women. It's called Martha Washington College, or the Martha, as it operated for 70 years during the Civil War. The college was affected in many ways, as was the entire town of Abingdon. Students became nurses and the grounds around the building became training grounds for the Washington mounted rifles. Skirmishes were fought in and around Abingdon, and like many buildings in Virginia, the college became a hospital for wounded soldiers from both sides. The Martha closed in 1932 during the Great Depression and opened in 1935 as a hotel.
It's changed owners throughout the years, but the restorations have preserved much of its historic charm and still includes a grandfather clock that one of General Preston's daughters brought from Europe.
While walking the halls of the inn, you may notice old photographs, mementos from 60, 70, 80, even 100 years back.
But the other ghosts at the north of Washington Inn, many have seen them, many have experienced them, and here are a couple of stories.
Beth and the Yankee captain. During the Civil War, some of the college students returned home, but many stayed and volunteered as nurses.
Beth was rumored to be one of these students who stayed. Captain John Stoves, a Yankee officer was severely wounded and captured in town. He was carried through the cave system under Abingdon and brought to the third floor of the college.
For weeks Beth nursed him and they found themselves falling in love. Often Beth would try to soothe him by playing her violin.
Alas, Captain Stoves would not recover from his wounds and while he lay dying, he called to her to play for him. She was too late, but tearfully played a melody as a tribute.
Beth died a few weeks later from typhoid fever.
Students of the college and even present day guests of the inn report hearing violin music in the night.
Others report visits from Beth at room 403, the room where her love captain stoves, died.
The Bloodstain A young Confederate soldier was assigned to carry papers listing the location of the Union army to General Robert E. Lee. The young soldier was in love with a student at the college and he wanted to see her before he left. He faced many risks going to the college, but he braved them for his true love.
The soldier traveled through the cave system under Abingdon and using a secret stairway, entered the building.
While he was with the girl he loved, two Union officers came up the stairs and found him. He had no means of escape, so he was shot down in cold blood.
That blood of that Confederate soldier stained the place where he landed, and to this day, the bloodstain continues to appear Even after the floors have been refinished.
Carpets over the area often develop holes over the stain, suggesting the Confederate soldier's spirit lives on through the bloody shed in the Martha.
The phantom Horse.
A Union soldier was shot in front of the Martha in 1864.
On moonless nights, a black horse has been seen roaming the in grounds searching for his rider.
The ghost in the Tunnel an underground tunnel once connected the Martha Washington Inn with the famous Barter Theater just across the street. In the 1930s and 1940s, actors would use the tunnel to walk between the two buildings. The actors would report a sensation of an evil presence.
The tunnel is not in use today, doing part of it being collapsed, but the door on the Barter side of the tunnel is in the costume room.
Present day actors at the Barter claim to feel uncomfortable in that room, and the spirit is believed to be the man who was killed when the tunnel collapsed in 1890.
Another rumor says that the spirit haunting that room was a Confederate soldier that formerly ran ammunition out of the college basement during the Civil War.
[00:06:41] Speaker B: The ridge is secret.
The Appalachian mountains were a land of mist. Stories and secrets, especially the kind folks didn't talk about in polite Company.
At least that's what Thomas had been told by his grandmother every time he was asked about the ridge.
A few miles out of town and thick with ancient trees, the ridge was a place people only whispered about. And though the townsfolk warned each other to stay away, no one had ever explained why.
For 18 year old Thomas, this mystery had grown from curiosity to obsession.
His grandmother's stories kept him up at night, hinting that the land hid something ancient and perhaps even dangerous.
Halloween night seemed like the perfect time to find out the truth. So despite his grandmother's warnings, Thomas headed out to the ridge with his best friend, Jack.
The full moon illuminated their path as they climbed the ridge. They'd come prepared with flashlights, snacks, and a sense of adventure that kept them going through the eerie silence of the forest.
But soon Thomas noticed that the familiar sounds of the woods crickets, the occasional owl seemed to die away.
It was as if the trees were watching them, their twisted branches reaching like claws under the moonlight.
Feels strange here, doesn't it? Jack muttered, looking around nervously.
Thomas nodded, but his curiosity drove him on. They climbed higher, following an old overgrown trail.
About an hour into their trek, they stumbled upon a clearing where they found the remnants of a stone foundation, barely recognizable under the moss and dead leaves.
Thomas heart raced. The stories his grandmother had mentioned. An old house on the ridge, long abandoned, that belonged to a family rumored to practice the old ways. Though no one had ever explained what that meant. All he knew was that they had vanished overnight.
As they stepped into the clearing, Thomas noticed something unsettling. In the moonlight, he could make out strange carvings etched into a nearby tree. A circle with lines radiating outward like an ancient sun symbol. The bark felt cold to the touch, sending a shiver up his spine. He pulled his hand back, but something compelled him to look closer. Jack, however, had had enough. Let's go back, Tom. This place doesn't feel right.
Before Thomas could answer, a long growl echoed from behind them.
They spun around, but there was no sign of an animal. Just shifting shadows among the trees.
Thomas flashlight flickered. That's weird, he said, tapping it. But when he looked at Jack, he saw fear in his eyes. Maybe you're right. Let's head back.
They turned to leave, but as they walked away, the path they'd come on seemed to twist. Unfamiliar.
Every tree looked the same, as if they were trapped in a loop. They were back in the clearing within minutes. Okay, this is officially creepy, Jack muttered, scanning the area with a worried expression. That's when Thomas noticed something else. A faint light glimmering in the distance behind the trees, it looked like firelight flickering in and out of sight. Someone's out here, thomas said, grabbing Jack's arm. Let's see who it is.
[00:10:38] Speaker A: Rugged.
[00:10:41] Speaker B: Reluctantly, Jack followed him, and they moved through the trees until they reached a small, hidden hollow where a figure stood tending a fire. An old woman, her face shadowed by a brimmed hat, turned to look at them, her eyes glinting in the firelight.
I reckon you two boys took the wrong path, she said in a low, gravelly voice. Thomas tried to shake the unease in his stomach. We were just exploring, ma'am, he said. Didn't mean to intrude. The woman smiled, but it wasn't friendly. Curiosity brought you here, but it's respect for these mountains that'll get you home. Folks round here learned that the hard way. Before they could answer, she motioned to the fire, where something seemed to shimmer and twist in the flames, a shape that looked eerily like a human face.
See the ridge? Don't like strangers poking around the ones that came before you. They learned that lesson well enough.
Her voice grew softer, almost a whisper. But you're different. You got family roots here, don't you, boy? Thomas froze, unable to answer. She knew his family. Jack grabbed his arm, whispering, tom, let's go. But the woman's gaze held Thomas in place. Your kin came up here long ago, took something that wasn't theirs. That blood debt has to be paid one way or the other. With that, she leaned forward and blew into the fire, sending sparks into the air that seemed to float toward Thomas, swirling around him like embers.
His head spun, the world blurring until all he could see was darkness.
When he opened his eyes, he was alone. The fire, the woman, and Jack were gone. He staggered back to his feet, calling for his friend, but there was no answer.
Panic set in as he stumbled back toward the clearing, desperately trying to remember the path.
Then he saw it. Jack's flashlight, lying on the ground at the edge of the clearing.
But Jack was nowhere to be found.
Thomas picked up the flashlight and noticed that the strange sun symbol was carved into its metal casing.
His heart raced as he realized it was no longer his friend's flashlight. It was old, weathered, as though it had been lying there for decades.
That's when he heard a voice whispering the name. Thomas. The sound seemed to come from the forest itself, from the trees and the rocks, as though the ridge itself were speaking to him.
Terrified, Thomas ran, desperate to escape. But no matter how far he went, he found himself back at the clearing, staring at that same strange symbol. The whispers grew louder, blending into one voice, the voice of his grandmother.
Thomas, you should have listened. You should have respected the ridge. He turned, and there she was, standing in the clearing, her face pale and expression solemn. Our family owes a debt, she said, her voice barely above a whisper. I thought it was paid long ago, but I was wrong. What are you talking about? He cried, unable to understand.
But she just shook her head, sorrow in her eyes.
We can't leave until it's paid, Thomas. As he reached out to her, her figure faded, merging with the trees until she was gone, leaving him alone with nothing but the chilling silence of the ridge.
The townspeople found Thomas flashlight in the clearing, its old metal casing still carved with the sun symbol. They searched the ridge, combing through the woods, but found no sign of Thomas or Jack. The two boys had vanished like so many before them, and the ridge kept its secrets, waiting for the next curious soul to come looking for answers that should never be found.
[00:14:59] Speaker C: The Sensiball Tunnel.
Something many community members knows about around here. Located in Sullivan county, built in the 1920s and named after the landowner at the time, Edward Sensiball. Now, there are different variations to this legend. One is that Edward let a man experiencing homelessness into his home out of charity.
Then that night, the guest confronted Edward with a gun, grabbing his baby daughter to use as a shield before fleeing the house with the baby. As this version of the legend has it, the man got away and drowned the baby girl in the tunnel. The second version of the legend claims that there was no house guest at all. Rather, Edward went mad and killed his entire family, disposing of their bodies in the tunnel.
A third version, which many a local claim to be the most accurate account, claim that Edward lived to an old age, none of his children died young. This account claims that instead Edward got older and eventually got tired of the vandalism that happened in the area by curious juvenile delinquents. To combat the vandalism, he would stand in the tunnel and let out shrieks when someone was close by, scaring any potential vandal away.
But no matter which of these versions you believe, legend has it that if you turn your car off in the middle of the tunnel, it won't turn back on. And others claim they can still hear the baby's cry in the tunnel to this day.
Tipton Haines State Historic Site Located in present day Johnson City, this 45 acre historic site once belonged to a man named Colonel John Tipton, though it is in Washington County, Tennessee, Tipton purchased the land before Tennessee was even a state. In fact, the site resides in what was known then as Washington County, North Carolina, a state to whom Tipton stayed loyal. In February of 1788, tensions between the state of Franklin and North Carolina Loyalists erupted into conflict. North Carolina Sheriff Jonathan Pugh, under orders from Colonel John Tipton, seized state of Franklin Governor John Sevier's property for unpaid taxes, sparking Sevier's anger and leading him to gather forces to confront Tipton. Sevier's men surrounded Tipton's cabin, but Tipton refused Sevier's surrender demand. Reinforcements arrived for Tipton, including Major Robert Love's men, allowing Tipton to hold his ground. On February 29, 1788, a brief skirmish ended with Sevier's forces retreating. Both sides fired minimally, with three fatalities on the grounds that day. It is believed that spirits still roam the land in the house, which is considered the earliest structure to be built on the land that was once home to Native Americans.
And in this house, even Tipton Haines historians say that there were infant deaths and countless of other deaths that simply might be undocumented just due to the time. Tipton Haines historians believe there are a multitude of spirits that remain, whether they roam the land, the house, or stay connected to specific objects.
[00:18:18] Speaker A: The old tavern of Abingdon. The tavern was built about 1777.
It's one of the oldest taverns in Virginia.
Down through the centuries, the building has been a bakery, a bank, a post office, a private home, a general store and a tavern.
During the Civil War, it is believed the third floor attic was used as a hospital.
There are numbers on the wall that look to be where the hospital beds would have lined up.
With all these years of history come ghost stories and legends.
One story is of the tavern Tart. She was a lady of the evening who had her throat slit by one of her customers.
It's reported that her murder took place in a second floor dining room and her figure to this day can be seen looking out the window in the middle of the night.
It is believed that she's the spirit who likes men who frequent the tavern and will touch them on occasion.
Women, however, most noticeably pregnant women have reported items such as a loaf of bread being thrown at them or being pushed aggressively by unseen hands.
Then there was the murder of Captain Gordon William Rife.
He was spending time with a wife of a prominent Abingdon resident by the name of Stephen Alonzo Jackson. According to legends.
Well, Jackson found his wife in the company of Mr. Rife on the second floor of the tavern. The altercation moved outside where Jackson allegedly shot and killed Rife.
And it said Rife still walks the halls of the second floor of the tavern.
So if you find yourself in Abingdon, why not stop by the tavern and take a look around, Have a nightcap.
But just be careful who you might be sharing a drink with.
[00:20:09] Speaker C: That's enough for spooky stories for today, guys. I'm a little freaked out in here. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. I got goosebumps. The whole nine yards. Is that a saying? The whole nine yards?
[00:20:19] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:20:20] Speaker A: Yes.
[00:20:20] Speaker C: Okay, I'm sorry. I'm really bad with idioms. Anyway, so we want to touch base on some of the events we have going on here at Northeast State on campus for the week of Halloween. So happening Tuesday, October 29th, 5:30 through 7:30pm we invite you. Bring your whole family, bring your neighbor's family, bring all your neighbors, bring friends, bring enemies, bring everybody.
[00:20:48] Speaker A: Absolutely.
[00:20:48] Speaker C: To our annual campus wide trick or treating event put on by our very own student life. You can expect to see loads and loads of candy and treats and people wearing their Halloween best. So come on, stop by to Northeast State Community College Again, that's Tuesday, October 29th, 5:30 to 7:30. Trick or treating will start in the humanities building. We advise all who attend to park in the parking spaces behind Basler Library and behind the humanities building at our Bluntville campus.
[00:21:19] Speaker A: A good time for all as last. Last year was super fun and this year will be as well.
[00:21:24] Speaker C: I'm pumped to see all the costumes, get some inspo. Because I still don't know what I'm going to be for Halloween. We're a week away.
[00:21:32] Speaker B: Well, you like Taylor Swift a lot. So is Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on the potential board?
[00:21:40] Speaker C: I actually just realized I'll actually be seeing Taylor Swift the day after Halloween. So that's why I've not planned. Oh, that probably makes sense. I've not planned a Halloween costume. You just. I forgot about my trip. It's next week.
[00:21:53] Speaker A: There we go.
[00:21:53] Speaker C: Just don't. Yeah, ADHD is fun, guys.
Door decorating contest is also happening. There are some spooky doors around, but there's also some silly ones which I love. A shout out to the bubble wrap door from last year, I believe. Do you remember that one that was like just so witty, so funny. It was like stressed, you know, press on the bubble wrap. It was funny.
[00:22:18] Speaker A: I like that somebody has witches hats hanging from in front of their door. I won't say who, but there are witches hats hanging from right in front of the office door, which is pretty neat.
[00:22:27] Speaker C: Like actual witches hats. Or like, oh, I was imagining, like paper in the shape of witch's hat. Okay, that's cool.
[00:22:34] Speaker A: Like witches hats.
[00:22:35] Speaker C: Well, that's magical.
[00:22:37] Speaker A: So that's the Halloween episode. Kids, we hope you enjoyed this episode. As always, coming out to our trick or treating event here on campus on October 29th. Enjoy Halloween because it's a whole season. So get out there and enjoy the weather, the sunsets, the leaves.
Scare your friends and loved ones. It's the only time this year you'll have a chance to do so. And really, there's nothing like it. So enjoy. If you like our episode, keep listening and give us a review on Spotify, Pandora, Amazon prime, music. We're on them all. Or just go to thesoundbarrier.net that's right, thesoundbarrier.net we are the official podcast of Northeast State Community College. And if you want to learn more about Northeast State Northeast Edu, we're going to be registering for spring here in the very, very near future. So, hey, take some classes, keep going. Moving toward that degree. It's northeastate Edu, and until next time, we'll see you again on the sound barrier.
