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Tales of the Weird: Spirits along the river still linger

By Mike Conley | The McDowell News

Published: October 1, 2008

On Sunday, the home of Col. Joseph McDowell, one of the leaders of the Overmountain Men and the county's namesake, officially became a part of the Overmountain Victory Historic Trail. This historic home will be preserved and the rich heritage associated with that site will not be lost to yet another commercial business.
As one who has always loved and appreciated our history, this was a day to remember.
After Sunday's dedication ceremony, Bill Hendley with the McDowell Trails Association took myself and some of the McDowell descendants up nearby Round Hill, where many members of the McDowell and Carson families are buried. Joseph McDowell and his wife are interred on the top of Round Hill. Joseph's famous father "Hunting" John McDowell, who settled this area and gave it the name "Pleasant Gardens," is thought to rest there as well. The graves of Col. John Carson and his family are located on the hill too.
We also walked out to the Catawba River and Hendley told us about the plans to build a greenway park along there that would someday incorporate Round Hill, the river and the McDowell House. The trails association and the city of Marion are working together on this project. When finished, it should rival any of the other river parks in Morganton or Asheville.
Round Hill is a beautiful but lonely place and most folks in McDowell don't realize it is there. Hendley believes the American Indians who lived along the river formed it centuries ago. It could have been a tribal burial ground long before the white man arrived in these foothills.
This is a haunted land and a haunted river. Although some of it is now a shopping center, the spirits of those who have gone before may still be around.
Marion psychic Angela Moore said she's heard of strange happenings at the Wal-Mart shopping center.
"I have had several folks tell me that they have experienced eerie feelings, or have seen things happen in the stores at our local Wal-Mart center," said Moore.
She's heard tales of items falling off of shelves and doors closing for no reason. Moore has also heard about a child's wet footprints appearing on the floor at Wal-Mart. Some people have experienced the feeling that they were being watched even though no one was around.
"I have heard of two stores that actually have video on their security footage of a figure that is all in black and passes by the camera," said Moore. "Some folks have also seen lights hovering above it at night. Oddly enough, the Wal-Mart center in Morganton has also sparked several stories of similar things happening."
Moore says she personally has not experienced any of the weird events at Wal-Mart or the other nearby businesses. She has just heard the same tales from unrelated people for a long time now.
"It does seem that there is a strong vibe that follows the river all through that area, on up into P.G., including the Carson House," she added. "The energy is very strong on Lake Tahoma Road, with several reports of feelings of eeriness and sightings of a paranormal nature along through there.
"I did personally experience this while parked just off a road in that area years ago. There was a whispering and muttering of several voices that gained strength and volume as it neared our car. Oddly enough, it did not seem scary and I felt oddly peaceful. My husband, however, felt highly afraid and we left. Later that night, I did feel afraid though, nearly in a panic, although I do not know why I felt it at that time. I think that is the way it happens sometimes; that our bodies respond a certain way when we are around certain types of phenomenon that are not logical.
"This is only one place of supernatural activity in this county. I feel there are several hot spots such as Clinchfield, and some downtown places as well. However, the area along the river and up through P.G. is especially heavy to say the least."
The manager of the local Wal-Mart said he was not aware of any supernatural activity at his store.
American Indians are known to have lived along the Catawba River near the Wal-Mart shopping center and Moore believes that their presence may still be felt. Even though they are long dead, the Indians, the McDowells and the Carsons are trying to tell us that they are still here and this is still their land.

Contact Mike Conley at 652-3313, ext. 3422 or e-mail nconley@mcdowellnews.com.