In 1867 there was a terrible flood in Charleston, and a terrible tragedy. The flooded Hiwassee had washed away some of the railroad tracks. Unfortunately, the engineer of a passenger train was not aware of this, and the train fell into a ravine. Rescuers immediately went to work searching for the victims, but it was too late for many of them. Sadly, there was no hospital in the area, and the victims were taken to private homes. Many died. Eventually, all the bodies were found except for one: the body of a Catholic Monk from Baltimore.

It was very strange that the body of the young monk was not found. Too strange. In fact, the body had been found by the local doctor. For some reason, the doctor had taken the body to his office, stripped the flesh away, bleached the bones, and kept them for himself. He hung the skeleton in his office.

Apparently, the monk's spirit did not appreciate this (which is perfectly understandable). For years, the ghost haunted the old office. Dr. J. Lake McClary, the town doctor in later years, reported many encounters with the spirit.

In 1932, the old building was demolished. While tearing it down, workers discovered the monk's cloak and a rosary hanging between the walls.

Today, the Coon Hunter's Association Building stands near where the office once was. Sometimes, the locals claim, the ghost of the young monk returns, and walks the tracks late at night, or visits the new building. Some residents of Charleston claim to have encountered the unhappy spirit. They since his miserable condition, and hope he finds peace.

Read my Dreambook! Sign my Dreambook!