Although probably not even the worst or most lurid murder to ever take place in Wilkes county, it sure is the most well known. On this day, 155 years back, the body of Laura Foster was found in a shallow grave, having been stabbed to death. Eventually a man named Tom Dula would be hangedContinue reading “Hang your head, Tom Dooley”
Author Archives: Abandoned NC
30 Years Ago…
The 12th of this month was the 30th anniversary of the release of a little known but much loved horror movie called “The Boneyard“. The majority of the movie was filmed in the old Davis Hospital, and in one or two other locations around Statesville and so it’s part of the history of the townContinue reading “30 Years Ago…”
Why did the bridge of Siloam fall?
Monday, February 3rd, 1975James C Venable, a real estate agent from the Winston Salem area is driving his white Ford Thunderbird down Siloam Rd near the town of Siloam, NC. The night is dark, foggy, and there’s on and off drizzle and damp in the cold night air. At about 10 PM, Venable begins toContinue reading “Why did the bridge of Siloam fall?”
Updates
Several new things, several things coming. Tomorrow I hope to post a write up on a bridge collapse that happened back in the mid 70’s. I’m also working on an article about the Piedmont Test Farm, formerly of Statesville, and a bizarre crime that took place in Wilkes in the 1930’s. I’ve begun collecting informationContinue reading “Updates”
The Beginning of the Miracle of Hickory
On this day, 77 years ago, one of the first cases of Polio in what would be an epidemic was diagnosed in Catawba county.As the infection spread, and hospital beds in Charlotte became scarce, the people of Hickory moved to ensure that those afflicted by the illness would have access to treatment, and began workContinue reading “The Beginning of the Miracle of Hickory”
The Murder of Will Bolin
Sunday, August 16th 1896A small church in the northern part of Iredell county called Smith Chapel is having several “protracted meetings”, or what southern congregants today would call a multi-day “revival”. Edward Clinton Van Hoy and William T Bolin are first cousins, and the two men must have been attending the revival that night.What passedContinue reading “The Murder of Will Bolin”
Lots of new updates.
I’ve been steadily working the last couple weeks to update some pages that have already been published, such as pages on Davis Hospital’s history, Marshal Ney, etc.I have also added some new content such as an obituary for Miss Hill, and a remembrance of Dr Myers. More than that, I have just gained access toContinue reading “Lots of new updates.”
A little vaccine humor from the distant past.
The Santer
In 1890, near Statesville and in the surrounding counties, residents started noticing chickens, cats, dogs, calves, and if the reports are to believed, even “negro children” going missing.Eyewitness accounts claimed some sort of mystery beast was carrying them away, and newspapers quickly jumped on the story. The “beast” became known as the Santer, and itContinue reading “The Santer”
Is Marshal Ney of France Buried in North Carolina?
Sitting out of place among the modest headstones of Third Creek Presbyterian Church in Cleveland, NC is a grave that has been enclosed by a brick structure. No one is quite sure who the man buried beneath truly is. However, locals believed he was a famous French soldier. Michel Ney was Napoleon’s “Marshal of theContinue reading “Is Marshal Ney of France Buried in North Carolina?”