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| The
oldest county in
Texas is believed to be hallowed ground
on which the spirits of Indians and Confederate soldiers roam freely.
Neither the Indians nor Confederate soldiers were successful in their
endeavors as they waged wars to preserve the ways of their people.
Many believe the restless spirits wander the county in angst. |
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The Pine Springs
Campground, approximately 14 miles north-east of Crockett,
is one of the favorite campgrounds used by the Caddo Indians prior
to the arrival of European settlers. The site was believed to be abundant
with game and fresh water that flowed freely from a natural spring.
Area residents claim that the sprits of the Indians make their presence
known through a mighty rushing wind that sweeps through the pines,
and seemingly comes out of nowhere. War whoops and yells are said
to echo softly through the woods
The ghostly Indians are allegedly heard and sensed best at midnight.
Those desiring to experience the rushing wind or hear war whoops of
the tribe show up on Spring nights or Halloween. The spirits are said
to return each year to the Pine Springs Campground, where they once
thrived on the flourishing land.
The
Caddo Mounds, located
east of Weches, are also said the be haunted. The burial mound, which
holds the bodies of numerous Caddo Indians is said to be haunted by
a banshee. The banshee wanders the mounds in sorrow.
Tales of an Indian woman who cries out into the night have circulated
since the 1970’s. The woman is said to appear atop the burial mound,
dressed in white, and can allegedly be heard weeping for her lost
loved ones.
Within
Houston County’s
oldest cemetery lies the bodies of many confederate soldiers, as well
as the first mayor of Crockett.
The cemetery is dappled with tombstones that are no longer legible,
and the tombs and monuments belonging to those who settled the area. |
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Glenwood
Cemetery Confederate Soldiers' Tombstones
Photo by Dana Goolsby,
October 2010 |
Confederate
Soldier Tombstone
Photo by Dana Goolsby,
October 2010 |
The shady cemetery
has given way to numerous claims of ghostly apparitions, and deterred
visitors from entering the gates. Locals stear clear of the county’s
first burial ground.
Some say they have witnessed ghosts of Confederate soldiers wandering
through the graveyard. Some of the ghostly soldiers are said to be
hobbling on crutches due to missing legs, while others have been reported
as having missing arms, all of which are believed to have been lost
during the civil war.
Others claim to have heard the whispers of soldiers as they pass through
the cemetery. The soldiers can supposedly be heard whispering from
beyond the grave such phrases as, “War is hell,” or “Here I am General,
over here.”
The Confederate soldiers who rest in the old cemetery appear to be
no more peaceful than they were while waging war, according to local
claims.
© Dana Goolsby
"In The Pines With Dana Goolsby"
December
17, 2010 Column
See Crockett, Texas |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
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