Carnie Ghosts

Last week I was traveling, and as I always do when I have a little free time to spend, I sought out the local oddities and curiosities. For example, did you know that the world’s only Lunchbox Museum is located in Georgia? Conveniently the grave of the Werewolf of Georgia was within easy driving distance from where I was lodging for the night, and so was the mass grave of the victims of the Circus Train Wreck of 1915. The latter site, however, was much easier to locate.

On November 22nd, 1915, a 28-car train carrying the Con T. Kennedy Carnival, all its performers, animals, equipment, and so forth, was struck head-on by another train just outside Columbus, Georgia. The wreck and subsequent fire were so devastating (the two locomotive engines were actually fused by the impact) that no one knows just how many people were finally interred at the local Riverdale Cemetery. There are between 15 and 24 victims buried there, and perhaps some of the unidentifiable remains of animals as well.

My lovely better half and myself are show people, too, so we felt a kinship with those folks and wanted to stop by to pay our respects. I’m reporting on it here because the ghosts of those circus performers are reported to make occasional visits to the town that became their last stop on the circuit. Usually, and appropriately, they show themselves whenever a carnival or fair is in town.

The show must go on.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of EVIL CHEEZ PRODUCTIONS, specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced, and directed (and occasionally acted in) over two dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and True Crime genres. He obtained a doctorate in Occult Studies from Miskatonic University and is an active paranormal investigator. Is frequently told he resembles Anton Lavey. And Ming the Merciless. Denn die totden reiten schnell!

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