The spirit who solved her own murder mary jane heaster was devastated by the mysterious death of her daughter zona until zonas spirit appeared in the night to tell her shed been murdered. It is one of the most famous ghost stories in our countrys history. In celebration of both west virginias 150th anniversary as well as the history of greenbrier county, the greenbrier valley theatre will present the original musical, the greenbrier ghost. Greenbrier independent july 8, 1897 shue convicted of murder. What started off as a bright light, slowly took form as her daughter. Trout shue was given to the jury last thursday afternoon, and the jury, after being out one hour and ten minutes, returned into court with a. Greenbrier ghost news newspapers books scholar jstor january 2014 learn how and when to remove this template message. Over forty new ghost stories are gathered in this, the third volume of dennis deitzs popular series, the greenbrier ghost. The greenbrier ghost of west virginia knowledgenuts. There is not a whole lot of information on her early life, but we do know that she married a drifter named erasmus stribbling trout shue. Shue house the house where zona was murdered still stands and is a private residence today. The stories of ghosts from these wars, as well as the spirits of the old manor houses and plantations, are included in this treasury of more than. Greenbrier ghost trial marker, sam black church, west virginia.
Zona was cold and she had something to tell her mother. Greenbrier ghost according to local legend, zona appeared to her mother in a dream four weeks after the funeral. Autopsy on the exhumed body verified the apparitions. This man, edward shue, was convicted of killing his young wife, heaster, and sentenced to life in prison. Four weeks after her daughters death, mary jane reported that zona had appeared to her in a dream. Mine was known as the greenbrier ghost or the ghost of little sewell mountain and the incident occurred in late 1897. In the winter of 1897 in greenbrier county, west virginia, mary jane heaster claimed to be visited by the ghost of her deceased daughter. Dennis deitz received countless awards, including the highest award that can be given to a citizen.
Mccrumb retells greenbrier ghost story masterfully as fight. Erasmus shue, greenbrier ghost, zona shue elva zona heaster grew up in greenbriar county west virginia. Americas resort since 1778 visit the greenbrier and find out what it means to experience life as few know it. The greenbrier county courthouse where edward shue was tried is there today, and the murder trial records carry the words of the greenbrier ghost as they were repeated in the trial testimony of her mother. Raised around richlands, as far as we know, zona never left greenbrier county in her too short lifetime. Trout shues trial, held in greenbrier county, west virginia, rested entirely upon circumstantial evidence that strangely proved shues guiltbeyond a reasonable doubtto jurors who were presented evidence from beyond the grave. Though her mother vehemently objected, within weeks the two were married. Elva zona heaster died in greenbrier county, west virginia, in january 1897. The greenbrier county monster west virginia ghosts. The time a murderer was convicted thanks to his victims ghost. Born in greenbrier county, wv sometime between 1873 and 1876 not much is known about her early life. Deitzs greenbrier ghost tells the story of the only trial in the united states where the testimony of a ghost was used to convict a man.
The greenbrier ghost is the name popularly given to the alleged ghost of a young woman in greenbrier county, west virginia, united states, who was murdered in 1897. Besides the best selling greenbrier ghost volumes 1 and 2, and 3, deitz book, buffalo creek. The real name for this road is just greenbriar road and it runs east of switzerland, florida. Elva zona heaster grew up in greenbriar county west virginia. The greenbrier historical society and the greenbrier valley theatre are cohosting 150 years of stereotypes on tuesday june 18 th at 7. One day, after they had been married only 3 months, edward sent a young africanamerican boy named andy jones to his. Greenbrier valley theatre presents the original musical, the greenbrier ghost, a true story.
She lives in new jersey where she wrangles cats, dreams up ridiculous. The monroe watchman july 1, 1897 the shue murder trial in greenbrier. Cardinals end week at haunted greenbrier resort ap white sulphur springs, w. The roadside marker for the greenbrier ghost on route 60 in west virginia calls it the only known case in which the testimony from a ghost helped convict a murderer. Following is the story of the greenbrier ghost a remarkable case in which the victims spirit testified as to the cause of her own violent death and named her killer. Elva zona heaster shue had passed away suddenly a month earlier. Shue, indicted for the murder of his wife, which commenced in greenbrier circuit court on june 23rd, as far as proceeded with up to last. The story of the greenbrier ghost starts with this young woman, elva zona heaster shue. The greenbrier ghost is the name popularly given to the alleged ghost of a young woman in. Oct 16, 2015 cardinals end week at haunted greenbrier resort ap white sulphur springs, w. I have never seen the greenbrier county monster, but my father, brothers, and many other hunters have all seen something. How a ghosts evidence convicted a murderer dying words. Even now, greenbrier county is far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, with a population of about 34,000, spread out over a thousand.
Shortly after zona shue was found murdered, her spirit visited her mother. In his introduction dennis says he is frequently asked if these stories are. There was a young woman named elva zona shue who lived in greenbrier county in west virginia. Civil war soldiers have been seen walking or camping out nearby, and the house itself has seen its share of unexplained phenomena, attributed to the plantations founders. Greenbrier valley theatre presents the musical, the.
Johns county but dont expect to see any alps in this switzerland. The jury deliberated for an hour and ten minutes before returning a verdict of guilty. The greenbrier case in the late 1800s is the only one recorded where the alleged testimony of a ghost was accepted as evidence in a murder trail. Besides being a unique case in the annals of west virginia ghost lore, the story of the greenbrier ghost has made history in other places also, like in the documents of the american court system. The greenbrier ghost, a fulllength musical adaptation, was written by cathey sawyer book and lyrics and joe buttram music. The greenbrier bunker dates back to the height of the cold war. The dull look on her face, her halfclosed eyesplus, she is wearing what her husband placed on her. Born elva zona heaster sometime in the mid1800s in greenbrier county, west virginia, zonas early life is something of a mystery before she.
Yep, thats really the name of this peaceful little hamlet in st. In his introduction dennis says he is frequently asked if these stories are true. If you are familiar with dennis dietzs books recounting west virginia tales, especially his most popular, the greenbrier ghost, then you must have the greenbrier ghost 2. The tale of the greenbrier ghost in the state of west virginia there is a historical marker that reads. She said that shue was a cruel man who abused her, and who had attacked her in a fit of rage when he believed that she had cooked no meat for dinner. Jun 24, 2014 the greenbrier ghost was elva zona heastershue, a local woman who was found dead on january 23, 1897. The greenbrier ghost and other strange stories, south charleston, wv, mountain memories books, 1990.
Soule united methodist church and cemetery and the story of the ghost of zona shue, the greenbrier ghost. Jul 05, 2011 zona heaster shue was born in the mountains of west virginia. The show premiered in 2003 at greenbrier valley theatre, with subsequent productions in 2004, 2009 and 20. Greenbrier historical society beyond the north house tour. Mccrumb is one of a dozen authors booked to appear at this years west virginia books festival on oct. Inside the top secret greenbrier bunker video abc news. Ap the arizona cardinals packed up and checked out of the greenbrier resort on friday and some players no.
The death, resurrection and retribution of zona heaster. It was the only case that a ghost came back from the grave to solved her own murder. The greenbrier ghost is the name popularly given to the alleged ghost of a young woman in greenbrier county, west virginia, united states, who was murdered in 1897 initially judged a death by natural causes, the court later declared that the woman had been murdered by her husband, following testimony by the victims mother, in which the latter claimed that her daughters spirit revealed the. He is not what he seems and becomes violent abuse her. Elva knew differently and for four nights her ghost appeared at the foot of her mothers bed, telling. This ghost story is one of the bestknown in west virginia, and at least two books on the greenbrier ghost have been written. I have ordered the greenbrier ghost and other strange stories by dennis dietz, and i picked up a copy of the man who wanted seven wives by katie letcher lyle at my local library. Her death was originally thought to be from natural causes. The greenbrier ghost and the famous murder mystery of 1897. It is the only case in which a ghost helped convict a murderer. No state has seen more bloodshed and early deaths than virginia, mostly because it was center stage for two centuries of war from early indian conflicts and the revolution to the civil war.
Long a favorite among west virginians, deitz s greenbrier ghost tells the story of the only trial in the united states where the testimony of a ghost was used to convict a man. Her mother asked for another examination of her daughters body, and discovered that her neck had been broken a fact denied by her husband and not mentioned in the death certificate. The greenbrier ghost and the famous murder mystery of 1897 lyle, katie letcher on. In july of 1897, edward stribbling trout shue was convicted of firstdegree murder for strangling his wife and breaking her neck. The plantation house and surrounding areas have seen supernatural activity. There is not a whole lot of information on her early life, but we do know that she married a drifter named erasmus stribbling trout shue wth kind of name is that anyway. Jun 02, 2016 the greenbrier ghost is the name popularly given to the alleged ghost of a young woman in greenbrier county, west virginia, united states, who was murdered in 1897. They seemed very happy together, but zonas mother never liked edward shue and warned her daughter not to trust him.
This book is based on true ghost story that happened in 1897. Just about every family and bloodline have a ghost in the closet. The time a murderer was convicted thanks to his victims. In celebration of both west virginias 150th anniversary as well as the history of greenbrier county, the greenbrier valley theatre will present the original musical, the greenbrier ghost the greenbrier ghost tells the strange but seemingly true local legend of zona heaster. A letter from a valued lewisburg correspondent supplies the watchman with the following account of the trial of e. The coroner listed the cause of her death as everlasting faint and then as childbirth. The result is my book, the man who wanted seven wives. In 1897, newlywed zona shue was found dead in greenbrier county, west virginia. On greenbriar road there is a light that chases cars.
Elva knew differently and for four nights her ghost appeared at the foot of her mothers bed, telling her that she had in fact been. The greenbrier ghost the following is a list of books and articles about the greenbrier ghost which can be found at the west virginia state archives library. Soule united methodist church and cemetery 279 farmdale road western, wv 24958 37. Her death in 1897 was presumed natural until her spirit appeared to her mother to describe how she was killed by her husband edward. The greenbrier independent reported his testimony, manner, and so forth, made an unfavorable impression on the spectators.
This free program, held at greenbrier valley theatre, features writer glenn taylor and historian david corbin and will explore how stereotypes play a role in how west virginians are perceived and how we view ourselves, both historically. Cardinals end week at haunted greenbrier resort fox sports. May 23, 20 greenbrier valley theatre presents the original musical, the greenbrier ghost, a true story. A really interesting compendium of folklore, it begins with the tale of the greenbrier ghost, whose appearances alerted to her mother that she had been murdered. Zona heaster shue was born in the mountains of west virginia. Oct 30, 2014 a drive to the grave of the greenbrier ghost. My family and i are avid rabbit hunters, and as are many close friends of the family. I also want to get the early bird books newsletter featuring great deals on ebooks. The greenbrier resort, a national historic landmark in white sulphur springs, west virginia, has hosted distinguished guests from around the world since 1778. It remains the only one of its kind the only case in which the word of a ghost helped to solve a crime and convict a murderer.
The greenbrier ghost was elva zona heastershue, a local woman who was found dead on january 23, 1897. Here again dennis has gathered colorful stories by west virginians of all ages and walks of life. She was married to a man named edward who worked as a blacksmith. Definitely love the greenbriar and all of its significant history. Long a favorite among west virginians, deitzs greenbrier ghost tells the story of the only trial in the united states where the testimony of a ghost was used to convict a man. Since the only sources cited were two books, i thought iad track down those publications and see if i could locate more information. Mccrumb is one of a dozen authors booked to appear at. A teaser for the greenbrier ghost, a film cowritten and to be codirected by scott mcclanahan and chris oxley, forthcoming from two dollar radio moving pictures. The chilling tale of how an 1897 ghost helped to solve her. The big book of virginia ghost stories big book of ghost stories series g reference, information and interdisciplinary subjects series. The strange and twisting case of the greenbrier ghost is an odd tale that stands at the crossroads of human cruelty and the supernatural.
Elva zona heaster was born in greenbrier in 1873, although little was known about her early life, other than. She was buried, presumed the victim of woman troubles, but a month later, zonas ghost appeared to her mother to spin a tale of cruelty and murder. The greenbrier the greenbrier americas resort since 1778. The death, resurrection and retribution of zona heaster shue. After an elaborate argument of the evidence by messrs. Megan atwood is a writer and professor with over 45 books published. One january day in 1998, my father and two brothers went hunting with some friends in greenbrier county.
In early october 1896, 23 year old zona heaster met trout shue and instantly fell in love with the powerful 35 year old blacksmith. Media in category greenbrier ghost the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. For this reason, it is also the most haunted state. Initially judged a death by natural causes, the court later declared that the woman had been murdered by her husband, following testimony by the victims mother, in which the latter claimed that her daughters spirit. Zonas ghost, the greenbrier ghost, crept right up to her mothers bedside and begged to climb in, mary jane reported. Nuclear devastation was a clear and present danger a part of daily life. Dec 01, 2017 zonas ghost, the greenbrier ghost, crept right up to her mothers bedside and begged to climb in, mary jane reported. Mccrumb retells greenbrier ghost story masterfully as. Oct 28, 2019 the greenbrier county courthouse where edward shue was tried is there today, and the murder trial records carry the words of the greenbrier ghost as they were repeated in the trial testimony of her mother.
The arizona cardinals packed up and checked out of the greenbrier resort on friday and some players no doubt are more than happy to leave. What unfolded next is the only documented case of a murderer convicted by the testimony of a ghost. As i commented on the episode 147 entry, i think that, in that photograph of zona heaster shue, dear zona is deceased the more i look at that picture of zona, the more i think it might be a postmortem photograph. After the tragic death of zona heaster shue, a mysterious apparition appeared and began to hint that not everything about her death was as it seemed. Mountain memories books, south charleston west virginia, 1990, isbn 0938985086. The briefest form of the story is that told by the road marker. Valley of death contains about 300 pictures as well as firsthand accounts by eyewitnesses as buffalo creek flooded, killing 125 people. Enter the present day where a woman jane is going to married her boyfriend greg. He met his fate because the judge allowed heasters mother to. The greenbrier ghost by tracy delong nook book ebook. Born in greenbrier county, wv sometime between 1873 and. If you are familiar with dennis dietz s books recounting west virginia tales, especially his most popular, the greenbrier ghost, then you must have the greenbrier ghost 2. Included in this volume are seven stories illuminating the legendary braxton county monster.
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