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The Ghost In the Courthouse Window

The Ghost in the Courthouse Window

By Elton Camp

Only the most gullible believe in a ghost
Alabama has one of which folks boast
Pickens County Courthouse burned to the ground
Soon, a convenient person to blame was found

The courthouse was built back right away
But the fire was arson, the townsfolk say
The Civil War had been over for many a year
But black persons still had very much to fear

Henry Wells lived in shack outside of town
Due to prejudice, he seldom came around
For having a dangerous temper he was noted
“He carries a razor blade,” was an idea promoted

Whether any of this talk was actually true or not,
Henry Wells soon found himself put on the spot
It was on a charge of arson the man was arrested
Although his innocence he strongly protested

“Turn him over to us,” a drunken, angry mob bid
But in the courthouse attic, the man was hid
“Stay there until the mob will finally disperse”
The sheriff ordered, as they meant the worst

They intended to lynch Henry and had a noose
“Give that man to us.  For a trial there’s no use.”
Out of the attic window, Henry Wells peered
From the clouds, a bolt of lightning appeared

The guiltless man’s face was etched into a pane
Where, to this very day, it still does remain
Tourists come and look at it with great awe
Astonished at the ghostly face that they saw

(This is Alabama's most famous ghost story and is based on a real place and real events.  The Pickens County Courthouse still stands and draws many visitors.  This is NOT an endorsement in belief in "ghosts.")

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Lillie Williams

Date: 1/31/2013 9:47:00 PM

WOW! this is an excellent write, one in which I enjoyed reading. Oh my! thanks for sharing.

Elton Camp
Date: 2/1/2013 6:21:00 AM

Thanks, it's quite different from my usual writes which tend toward humor. The lynching of black people is, unfortunately, a part of the history of some parts of the South, though not much in the northern part of Alabama where I live. Elton

Donna Jones

Date: 1/31/2013 5:14:00 PM

This writing ,makes me want to get in my car and go there...good job mission accomplished

Elton Camp
Date: 1/31/2013 5:27:00 PM

I was there once when I was a little kid, but after all these decades, the memory has become fuzzy. The story is that years ago a severe hailstorm broke out all the window panes in the courthouse except "that' one. Superstitious folks claim to hear Henry's voice inside the courthouse and occasionally to see a grey mist. I suspect the Chamber of Commerce promotes these stories as it brings tourist dollars to this small town east of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.