Haunted Jacksonville. (original) (raw)

he Jacksonville City Cemetery is said to be haunted, or at least a statue by the name of Mother Templeton is said to be haunted.

Jacksonville residents say that during a full moon Mother Templeton changes her position. Some report having seen her holding one hand over her heart, with her left hand down by her side. Others claim to have seen her holding a bible in the palms of her hands, while others say they have seen her holding flowers in her hands.

The historical Killough Monument can also be found in Jacksonville.

According to the legend, the Killough family settled and built a home where the monument stands today. The Killough resided at the location until they were allegedly massacred by Indians, and the home was destroyed. The Killough family graves are said to be surrounding the monument.

The monument itself is a brick pyramid formation on a concrete foundation. The foundation is approximately 4 feet tall. The pyramid along with its foundation stands approximately 15 to 18 feet from the ground to the top.

On top of the foundation there is roughly four to five inches before the bricks begin forming the pyramid. The center brick at the top of the monument has since been removed.

Since this monument is the same formation on all four sides, and not believed to be hollow, the legend claims it would be an impossible feat for any human to remove that particular brick.

The Craven-Wilson Dorm at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville is also rumored to be haunted.

Residents claim the building is haunted by a female ghost, who chooses a resident to live with each year.

Sources that have lived in the dorm say the ghost is that of the former dorm director�s, who died of cancer before her term as director was completed. It is believed that her spirit feels the need to complete her stay as the dorm director.

Strange activities are reported by residents who are living in the same room with the former dorm director. Students claim things are moved from shelves where they were placed, that drawers open and close by themselves, electronics turning on and off, and radio stations changing on their own.

Neighbors of the haunted dorm room report noises coming from the room while the occupants are away from school for the weekend. Some say they have witnessed clothes moving about in the closet, while others say they have witness items seemingly jumping off shelves, as if they were pushed from behind.

Frightened students have reported unexplainable steaming water flowing from the cold water pipes while showering. However, the most disturbing event that students have claimed appears to happen in the shower. Occupants of the dorm have reportedly experienced the shower curtain being pushed in toward them with great force while they were showering.

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Dana Goolsby
"In The Pines With Dana Goolsby" October 27, 2010 Column