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It's that time of year when imaginations run wild, and you swear you hear spine-chilling shrieks, and things going thump and bump in the night! But what if it isn't your imagination. There are many stories from the Juniata River Valley's past that makes one wonder what could be lurking behind the shadows. Join me as we look at some of the local, frightful stories that have been passed from generation to generation. Fact, fiction, urban legend, only you can decide.
Our first stop is in the Historic Courthouse, on the square in Lewistown, home to our Chamber office. According to several recorded accounts experienced throughout the years, footsteps have been heard roaming the halls and upon inspection, no logical explanation was ever found. It is believed that there is a resident ghost which walks to and froe through the halls. Could it be the spirit of a local courthouse employee who tragically fell into the well located in the small yard behind the courthouse after a night of "merrymaking" and drowned in 1878? It is believed by some that he continues to complete his tasks even in death.
Or perhaps it is the spirit of the county messenger who in the early 1920s died at the foot of the courthouse stairs on his way to deliver information to the courtroom. Does his dedication force him to roam the halls, trying to complete his duties?
Another candidate for the wandering spirit would be a distraught attorney who took his own life after his defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to life in prison. It could be any of these three likely candidates.
I have not experienced any ghostly encounters, but I did have a visitor to my office a few years ago who insisted she saw an elderly man in a pinstriped suit standing outside of my office. I searched the hall in both directions, but could see no one, but she was insistent. She could see him clearly and described him in detail. I felt a shiver run up my spine and didn't put in any late nights at the office for quite some time.
Next there is the ghost of Cotter's Hole. Cotter's Hole is a deep hole located in the Juniata River in what was once Mifflin County, but became Milford Township, Juniata County. Aaron Cotter purchased the land in 1796. He had a son named Judas who was a trapper and known to those around him to be ruthless and cruel. He murdered and robbed fellow trappers and travelers at will. As is often the case, his actions had severe consequences as he also met a violent end. Most believe it was an act of revenge, as he was ambushed one night as he made his way back to his cabin near the river. He was beaten to death, his body weighted down with rocks, and tossed into a deep hole in the river (Cotter's Hole). Fishermen avoided the spot, believing it to be haunted by the evil spirit of Judas Cotter. It was said if one stared into its dark waters, the spirit of Judas would call to you from below.
The story doesn't end there. More than 100 years later, in 1880, on an October, full-moon, night a young couple was on their way home, traveling by horse and buggy, along the river road near Cotter's Hole. Suddenly, a gust of wind stirred up some dry autumn leaves, spooking their horse. The buggy slid off the road and the couple tumbled down the bank and into the deep water. Assisting each other, they were almost out of the water when the man observed a bony hand rising out the water, trying to grab their clothing. It is said he saw the skeleton face of Judas, just below the surface. Not wishing to alarm is wife, he kept the apparition to himself, but was sure to never travel the river road again!
Our final otherworldly story was the legend of Mrs. Bixler of Bixler's Gap (located near the Lewistown Narrows). As the story goes this "healer" was called upon when someone was ill. It was said that she had the ability to transform herself into a black cat and would crawl unto the rooftop of anyone that crossed her and would hiss a spell down the chimney, causing great suffering to those inside. One day her son was heading to the barn when a big black cat would not move out of his way. He was about to kick the cat when it jumped and dug its claws into the boy's face. This happened again the next day and on the third day the boy took out a knife and cut off the cat's ear. The story goes on to say that when he made his way back home, he was startled to see his mother was missing an ear. Not escaping his mother's anger, she cursed him, and transformed him into a gruesome beast, forced to live in the mountains. It is said that on dark, moonless nights you can hear the son's howl, and the mother's maniacal laugh.
As you celebrate Halloween this year, beware of mysterious footsteps, be on the lookout for the apparition in the pinstriped suit, keep an eye peeled for the bony hand and skeleton face of the murderous Judas Cotter, and listen closely to see if you hear the Bixlers' harrowing howls or evil laughter.
Excerpts for this story were taken from the writings of Forest K. Fisher and Daniel McClenahen, Mifflin County Historical Society.
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Rhonda S. Kelley is executive director of the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce.