An update to the investigation into whether a man who died in Davie county might be one of Napoleon’s commanders. Previously I had written about the exhumation of the mysterious teacher by a documentary crew from France who hoped to confirm or refute the old local tale. Well, the results are in. Sort of. WritingContinue reading “The Search For Ney Continues…”
Category Archives: Folklore
The Old Myers’ Place
The picture at the top of this page is of a house which no longer exists. Likely built in the early 1800s, it stood within the tip of a right angle created by what we today call Somers and Iredell Line roads in Hamptonville, NC. The house either fell or was demolished sometime after theContinue reading “The Old Myers’ Place”
Thunderstorm Etiquette
This time of year it’s not uncommon to have late afternoon thunderstorms. Thankfully, these storms usually blow themselves out as quickly as they spring up. When I was a small child though, these storms terrified me. During the time I’m referring to, we lived with my great grandparents for several years out in the countryContinue reading “Thunderstorm Etiquette”
Foretelling The Weather Like The Oldtimers.
Long range forecasting of the weather today is still not an exact science, but we have a plethora of sources we can go to in order to determine what the coming winter might be like.But in the days before internet, television, and radio, this was done without the help of meteorologists by the common manContinue reading “Foretelling The Weather Like The Oldtimers.”
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?”
The Apparent Ghost of Warren Bridge
Tucked away on a rural road at the very northernmost extent of Iredell county is a small, nondescript bridge over the dark waters of Hunting Creek. While the bridge is in Iredell county, crossing over it heading northbound means entering Wilkes on the other side.It’s a rural area, and always has been, with a smatteringContinue reading “The Apparent Ghost of Warren Bridge”