The Weekly Register (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]), May 9th 1883
Ghost. – The people living along the Clarksburg road, in the neighborhood of Hickory Chapel, are very much exercised by the re-appearance of a ghost in the shape of a big black dog. They all assert that it is a veritable ghost, and it has been seen time and again by numbers of people. Men have met it in the road, while riding home on horse-back, and have put spurs to their horses, and have tried to out-run it, but never could; it has been shot at time and again by good marksmen, but without effect. Sometimes when people are walking along the road it follows along by the side of them, and neither clubs, stones, or scolding will drive it from its position.
Disclaimer: This 1883 newspaper article was published prior to 1931. Under United States copyright law (specifically the 95-year rule), this work has entered the public domain and is thus free to use or republish. It is presented here as an interesting and folkloric newspaper oddity.
Source(s): https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84026817/1883-05-09/ed-1/?sp=3
[ Special thanks to: Theresa of Theresa’s Haunted History of the Tri-State for locating this article within the Library of Congress online archives. ]
Categories: Newspapers, Ghostly Animals
Here is the story in a datasheet summary format that I put together previously:
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⦁ Black Dog Ghost – 1883 (WV)
Date: 1883
Location: Hickory Chapel, West Virginia
Story: On May 9th 1883, The Weekly Register printed a local legend about a black dog ghost seen multiple times by several people in Hickory Chapel, West Virginia. People walking or riding on horses both supposed witnessed the ghost following them but couldn’t out run it. The being was reportedly shot at repeatedly by skilled marksmen and had rocks throw at it but to no effect.
Description: Black dog ghost
Source(s): “Ghost” in the local matters page of The Weekly Register, May 9th 1883
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