Of course. Pocahontas County is a treasure trove of Appalachian folklore, blending tales of strange creatures, legendary figures, Civil War legends, and supernatural events. Here are 20 folktales from the region.
Creatures and Cryptids
The Kennison Mountain Panther: One of the most enduring local legends. For over a century, hunters and travelers on Kennison Mountain have reported a terrifying, unearthly scream that sounds like a cross between a woman's shriek and a wild cat. Most believe it is the ghost of the extinct Eastern Cougar, forever crying out for its lost territory.
The Wampus Cat of the Williams River: A fearsome creature from broader Appalachian lore with a strong presence in Pocahontas County tales. The Wampus Cat is described as a terrifying, supernatural panther-like beast—sometimes said to walk on two legs—that stalks the remote riverbanks. It's a cautionary tale told to keep children from wandering too close to the woods after dark.
The Will-o'-the-Wisp of Cranberry Glades: This folktale explains the mysterious, flickering lights sometimes seen over the bogs at night. The lights are said to be mischievous fae or spirits of the bog who try to lure lost travelers off the safe path and deeper into the treacherous, acidic mire from which they can never escape.
The Hoop Snake of the Back Hollows: A classic piece of "critter" folklore. Woodsmen told tales of a strange snake that could take its tail in its mouth to form a hoop and roll downhill at incredible speeds. The true danger was its tail, which was tipped with a venomous stinger so potent it could kill a full-grown oak tree if it struck it by mistake.
The Spearfinger of the Monongahela: A tale with roots in Cherokee legends. The Spearfinger is a witch-like shapeshifter with a stone finger she uses to pierce the livers of her victims, which she then eats. She was said to roam the deepest parts of the Monongahela National Forest, and her story was used to warn against talking to strangers in the woods.
Legends of Heroes, Witches, and Lost Mines
The Mighty Logger of Cass: Pocahontas County has its own Paul Bunyan-esque figure from the logging boom era. Known as "Big Mose," he was said to be a logger of incredible strength who could fell a spruce tree with a single swing of his axe and drink a whole barrel of water to quench his thirst. He reputedly rode a massive log down the rapids of the Greenbrier River all the way to Marlinton, standing on his head the entire time.
Ann Bailey, Frontier Heroine: While her story is famous throughout West Virginia, it's a key folktale in Pocahontas County, where she frequently scouted. The most famous tale is of her daring 100-mile ride alone through the wilderness to fetch gunpowder for settlers under siege, cementing her legend as the "White Squaw of the Kanawha." The Ann Bailey Lookout Tower in Watoga State Park honors her legacy.
The Witch of Yew Mountain: This tale speaks of a "granny woman" who lived on Yew Mountain in the 19th century. The local people couldn't decide if she was a healer or a witch. It was said she could cure colic in a baby with a whispered word but could also sour a neighbor's milk or lame their horse with a hateful glance.
The Lost Confederate Payroll: After the Battle of Droop Mountain in 1863, a Confederate paymaster was supposedly entrusted with a chest full of gold coins. Fleeing Union soldiers, he buried the payroll somewhere on the mountain, intending to come back for it. He was killed later that day, and his secret died with him. Treasure hunters still search for the lost gold, guided by rumor and folklore.
The Hermit's Silver Mine: A classic "lost mine" tale. An old, reclusive man lived in a cabin on a remote ridge. Once or twice a year, he would walk into Huntersville or Marlinton to trade pure silver nuggets for supplies. He rebuffed all questions about his source, and after he passed away, no one could ever find his hidden mine, despite decades of searching.
Explanatory and Place-Name Tales
How the Cranberry Glades Were Formed: An ancient folktale claims the Glades were created when a giant star fell from the sky, scorching the earth and leaving five great, bowl-shaped depressions. The tears of the moon, weeping for her lost star, filled the bowls with water, creating the unique bogs we see today.
The Sighing of the Pines at Seneca: The tall pine trees in Seneca State Forest are said to whisper and sigh, even on windless days. The legend says this is the collective sorrow of the Seneca families who passed through the area on their forced march westward, their grief forever imprinted on the forest itself.
Classic Ghostlore and Hauntings
The Gray Rider of Droop Mountain: This iconic story functions as both a ghost story and a historical legend. The apparition of a lone Confederate soldier on his gray horse is said to ride across the battlefield at twilight, a solemn reminder of the Civil War's cost in the mountains.
The Phantom Whistle of Cass: This tale is central to the identity of the town of Cass. The mournful steam whistle of a Shay engine heard late at night is not just a ghost; it's the spirit of the logging industry itself, a sound that echoes the lives and hardships of the men who worked the rails.
The Lantern Man of the Greenbrier River Trail: A cautionary tale about a wandering spirit. The Lantern Man is the ghost of a railroad brakeman who was decapitated in an accident. He walks the old rail grade swinging his lantern, forever searching for his head.
The Headless Soldier of the Old Turnpike: Along the historic Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike route, the ghost of a soldier—sometimes Confederate, sometimes Union—is seen holding the reins of his horse while searching the forest floor. He is looking for his own head, lost to a cannonball during a skirmish.
The Drowning of Selina: A tragic romance from the area around Hillsboro. A young woman named Selina was in love with a man her father forbade her to see. They planned to elope, but as she tried to cross the Greenbrier River at night to meet him, she was swept away and drowned. Her ghost is said to haunt the riverbank, forever trying to complete her journey.
The Crybaby Bridge: Nearly every rural county has one. The Pocahontas County version is often tied to a small, old bridge over Locust Creek. The story goes that a baby was thrown from the bridge in the distant past, and if you stop your car on the bridge at midnight and turn off the engine, you can still hear the faint cries of the infant.
The Watchers of the Seneca Trail: The Seneca Trail (U.S. 219) follows a path used for centuries by Native Americans. A persistent folk belief is that the spirits of ancient tribal guardians still protect the trail. Lone travelers often report an overwhelming and unnerving sensation of being watched by unseen eyes from the deep woods lining the road.
The Food-Stealing Haint of the Logging Camps: In the old logging camps, tales were told of a kitchen "haint," or mischievous spirit, that would steal freshly baked pies left to cool on a windowsill or spoil batches of sourdough starter. It was often used as a convenient excuse when a hungry logger decided to help himself to a midnight snack.
Of course. The folklore of Pocahontas County runs deep, with tales reaching into every hollow and over every ridge. Here are more stories from the local tradition, focusing on omens, curses, legendary creatures, and spirits tied to the land.
Omens and Curses
The Death Crown of Frost: A chilling piece of folklore from the colder, more isolated communities. It was believed that when a person was on their deathbed, a family member should check their feather pillow. If the feathers inside had mysteriously woven themselves into the shape of a perfect, intricate crown, it was an unmistakable omen that the person's soul was being called, and they would not recover.
The Phantom Wagon of Knapps Creek: Before a death occurred in the Knapps Creek valley, it was said that family members or neighbors would be awakened in the dead of night by the unmistakable sound of a heavy, horse-drawn wagon rumbling slowly down the road. When they looked, there was never anything there. It was known as Death's wagon, coming to collect a soul.
The Fiddler of the Huntersville Crossroads: This tale warns of deals with the devil. A young, clumsy fiddle player, desperate for fame, allegedly went to the crossroads just outside the old county seat of Huntersville at midnight. He met a tall stranger in black who tuned his fiddle for him. The young man returned an unmatched musical genius, but his soul was forfeit, and his music was said to sometimes have a mournful, hellish echo.
The Curse of the Cheated Farmer: A story tied to the fertile bottomlands along the Greenbrier River. A poor farmer was swindled out of his family's land by a wealthy speculator. As he was forced to leave, he laid a curse upon the fields, proclaiming that the land would reject its new master. From then on, the legend says, the property was plagued by crop failures, sick livestock, and profound bad luck for any who tried to own it.
Legendary Creatures and Spirits of Nature
Old Man Glade's Catfish: The Greenbrier River is said to be home to a legendary creature: a monstrous, albino catfish of impossible size. Nicknamed "Old Man Glade," he lives in the river's deepest hole. For over a century, fishermen have told tales of hooking him, only to have their strongest lines snap. Seeing his pale form surface is considered a bad omen, foretelling a day of empty hooks.
The Shadow Dog of the High Lonesome: On the most remote ridges and high-altitude trails, a creature known as the Shadow Dog is sometimes seen. It’s described as a large, silent black dog with eyes that glow a faint red. It follows hikers or hunters from a distance, never making a sound and melting back into the trees if approached. It is considered a grim watcher, a sign that you have wandered into a place where you are not welcome.
The Spirit of the McNeel Mill: The historic McNeel Mill near Mill Point is said to be haunted not by a person, but by the memory of its own work. On quiet, still nights, people report hearing the ghostly sounds of the great water wheel groaning into motion, the grinding of the massive millstones, and the faint smell of corn dust, a residual haunting of the mill's long-silent industry.
The Guardian of Friars Hole Cave: The vast cave system at Friars Hole is protected by a spirit, according to legend. This guardian is not malicious; it's a protector of the cave's delicate beauty. It is said to create a warm, guiding breeze for cavers who are lost and respectful, but will cause rocks to fall and passages to close for those who enter with intent to vandalize or exploit the cave.
Ghosts of a Bygone Era
The Ghost of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): In Watoga State Park and Seneca State Forest, both largely built by the CCC during the Great Depression, people have reported seeing the ghost of a young man in the program's distinctive uniform. He is always seen hard at work, diligently building a stone wall or clearing a trail with phantom tools, an echo of the toil that shaped the landscape.
The Feud Ghosts of Buckeye: The hills around Buckeye were once home to a bitter and bloody feud between two families in the late 19th century. The conflict ended in a deadly shootout in a remote hollow. It's said that on the anniversary of the fight, the angry shouts, curses, and phantom gunfire of the rival clans can still be heard echoing among the trees.
The Miraculous Spring of Thorny Creek: A hopeful legend tells of a hidden spring somewhere along Thorny Creek with healing waters. The spring was supposedly blessed by a wandering holy man centuries ago. According to the tale, the water can cure sickness and mend broken hearts, but it can only be found by those who are truly lost and have a pure and selfless spirit.
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