Ghost Stories

There is a lot of fear that surrounds ghosts, particularly those who had a violent life. It's always good to come across one who is good and gentle in nature. The life of Maria Juarez may have ended tragically but she spends her afterlife as a protector of children in Uvalde County, Texas. All Maria wanted was to marry and start a family of her own. She was very close to her older sister. Even cared for her children. However, her constant presence in her sister's life came with a price. Her sister's husband Gregorio fell in love with Maria. She being the good honest person that she was refused him. Unfortunately, he did not want to take no for an answer. The day came that Maria almost received her wish. She met a man name Anselmo. They fell in love and were about to marry. Upon learning of this news, Gregorio became enraged. If he couldn't have her, he wasn't going to let anyone else either. Maria went to meet Anselmo but came face-to-face with Gregorio instead....

I don't often get an opportunity to write about a haunted location in my hometown of Texarkana, Texas, but I'm happy to introduce you to The Perot Theater. Originally the Saenger Theatre, it was built in 1924 and was designed by Emil Weil. It came with a price tag of $300,000, taking 17 months to complete. The Saenger officially opened its doors on November 18, 1924; the first production was “Foot Loose”, starring Margaret Anglin and William Faversham. Over a 15 year span, the grand Italian Renaissance building hosted many performers including John Drew Barrymore, Will Rogers, Annie Oakley and Douglas Fairbanks. The plays and silent movies attracted many patrons until 1931 when it was purchased by the Paramount-Public Corp and renamed as the “Paramount”. It offered many premieres including  "Papa's Delicate Condition," with Jackie Gleason, "The Legend of Boggy Creek," and Charles Pierce's "Bootlegger." During World War II, Orson Welles ...

Earlier in the week, animal control officer Frank Hackett shot and killed an unusual animal in a barn southwest of Fort Hood, TX after hearing it growl at him. Officer Hackett hasn't stated whether or not he believes the creature to be the elusive Chupacabra as he awaits DNA results. However, did comment that “it wasn't normal.” A few days later, a second unidentifiable animal was killed several miles away by a rancher. While Officer Hackett isn't ready to declare his find a Chupacabra, many believe the second one may be. Some have described these animals as “half alien/half dinosaur dog like creature with a spiny back” or “a vampire dog of some sort with huge fangs and no tail”. Others state “it has a tail”, or “a stubby cropped looking tail”. At this point, it depends on who you talk to. Hood County Animal Control sent the animal to Texas A&M for testing. Until DNA results are returned Doctors at Texas A&M would only say it's some kind of coyote hybrid. Se...

If you ever find yourself in a place called Liberty Hill, located in Northern Austin, TX, I suggest you make a stop at Bittick Cemetery. Most likely one grave will stand out among the rest. There are various legends attached to this grave. The general story begins with a black woman named Elizbeth Sampson. In the 17-1800s, this slave was accused of being a witch. However, such an accusation wasn't enough to seal the deal on her death. It is believed Elizbeth stole a horse in order to escape and was captured. As it was done in those days, prisons and juries were tossed away for a good ole hanging. The tree used still stands to this day (supposedly across from the cemetery). After being buried, "Was borne and dide, But remember as yo are passing by, Yo all shall die as well as I" was carved in to her headstone. If you choose to visit her grave, you must bring an offering of some sort. It's believed if you don't, something devastating will happen to you. On Hallowe...

The land in which this is national historic landmark sits upon was sold to Erastus and Sarah Reed, who left Georgia for Texas, on April 23,1859 by John James for $200. The couple built the center portion of the inn bringing the Southern Colonial architectural style to the Texas Hill Country. During these days, there were no hotels available to travelers, leaving them at the mercy of homeowners willing to share their spare rooms. The Reeds were the first to begin this hotel tradition, offering four rooms for those traveling through Texas Hill Country. Ranchers used the surrounding grounds as a wagon yard and penned their cattle in what is now the cities main plaza. The Old Reed House was also Boerne's stagecoach stop. It's hotel traditions wouldn't end with the Reeds. In 1878, C. J. Roundtree and W. L. Wadsworth bought, expanded the building to accommodate visitors attracted to the healthy climate and gave it the new name of The Boerne Hotel. However it was owner Dr. H. J....

The Goatman is believed to be the spirit of a man named Oscar Washburn, a black goat farmer. About fifty years after the Alton Bridge was constructed in 1888, he brought his family to North Texas and moved them in to a house nearby. He soon came to be known as a dependable, honest businessman, earning the nickname “Goatman”. Unfortunately, successful black men were still not welcomed in the 1930s. Klansman in the local government became outraged when he displayed a sign on the bridge: “this way to the Goatman”.   One night in August 1938, Klansman turned their headlights off and crossed the Alton Bridge. They burst in to his home and drug the Goatman away from his family to the bridge. Standing him on the side, they fitted a noose over his head and pushed him over. The Klansman peered in to the water to examine their handiwork when panic set in. The rope was still there but the Goatman’s body disappeared. The Klansman rushed back to the house and slaughtered his family. Os...

This location is not to be confused with McPike Mansion. Located on Belvin St. in San Marcos, Texas, Pike House started out as part of The Cornwell Institute, a Methodist school, in 1903. The school closed sometime time later and became Old Soldier and Sailors Memorial Hospital. When a new hospital opened down the road in 1956, the house converted in to a dormitory for the San Marcos Baptist Academy. It received it's now famous name when it was acquired by Pi Kappa Alpha in 1968 and turned in to a fraternity house for 40 years. In 1998, it was bought by developer Terry Gilmore with the intentions of being converted in to a private residence. Unfortunately, Pike House will never serve a purpose anymore. In 2007, Nicholas Ryan (25) and a 15-year-old male for undisclosed reasons committed an act of arson, burning the house to ruins. What was left of Pike house was later demolished. Where a grand mansion once stood now occupies an empty lot. This one act may add to the other legends wh...

In the 1860s, Charlie and Jenny Papworth with their infant son Temple made a treacherous journey to what is now known as Alexandra, Texas. Purchasing a spread next to Charlie's cousin Jim McDow's, they built a cabin 200 yards from Green Creek a.k.a. McDow's Hole and got settled. About five years later, Charlie and Jenny welcomed their second son. Unfortunately, not long after the blessed event, Charlie received word his parents had died. In their will, he received all of their furniture. The only way it could be transported was by train and Texarkana was the end of the line out west, 200 miles away. Charlie made arrangements for the furniture to be shipped and set off with his wagon to pick it up. A decision he would come to regret. Increasing danger of cattle rustlers, worried him. He insisted Jenny and the kids not sleep at home; therefore, a routine was established. Jenny stayed in their cabin by day, preparing for winter and caring for their children. At night, she wo...

For years, the mythical creature has eluded scientists, leaving little to no trace of its existence. A woman in Cuero, Texas named Phylis Canion claims she discovered one outside of her ranch. Actually, her and some of her neighbors found three 40 pound bodies in July, keeping it hidden until now. The animal is described as having big ears, large fanged teeth and grayish-blue, mostly hairless skin. Could this strange animal be a chupacabra? Canion thinks so. She based her opinion on her twenty-six dead chickens who was drained of blood. Her animals weren't the only ones to fall prey to this alleged mythical creature. Veterinarian Travis Schaar of the Main Street Animal Hospital in nearby Victoria believes what she calls a chupacabra is probably a strange breed of dog, a canine with a thirst for blood. He doesn't deny the possibility of it being a chupacabra, but states that it could just be a mutated litter of dogs. Canion saved the head of the dead animal and plans on ge...