GOOD MONDAY MORNING P.O.U.!
(Originally published 10/21/2013)
To get us into the spirit (no pun intended) of Halloween, this week’s series will be devoted to Caribbean and African-American ghost stories.
MAGNOLIA CEMETERY:
GHOST ROMANCE AT NIGHT IN CHAPEL
(Charleston, S.C.)
James Hicks was out of work for a long time and when he was offered a job as a caretaker at the Magnolia Cemeter, the place and its inhabitants of the other world was completely forgotten. He was jubilent the whole day although when persons heard that he was working at the cemetery, they tried to discourage his going, but to no avail. His mind was made up and nothing but what happened that night was destined to make him change. He said to several persons that day: “I ain’t ‘fraid of no ghosts. I been on this workd fur a long time, an’ I ain’t see none yet. An’ wha’ more,” he continued, “whut kinde de dead do to you?”. At times in a more indignant manner he would say: “You people don’ study nuttin but foolishness.”
That day was a very cloudy and dreary one, but Mr. Hicks started off to his new job an hour before the time in order to familiarize himself with the place and to see if there was anything needed to be done before time for him to go on duty. He was given the keys and shown the various compartments and their uses. When the light of day was overshadowed by the dark blanker of the night, he went to his room in the two-story chapel where on occasions dead bodies had to be left down stairs until next day.
Before retiring for the night he locked every door carefully and saw that everything was in its place. Then he climbed the steps leading to his room, which was very spacious, over the chapel. He turned on the light and undressed, but before lying down, took his Bible and read a passage, then opened his hymnal and sang softly to himself. When that was finished he laid himself down but could not sleep — perhaps of his new surroundings. He eyed every corner in the house, trying to pretend that it was his future home. Later, however, he dowsed off and was awaken around three o’clock by the dragging of chains up and down the staircase. He laid still, somewhat bewildered, then got up and went down the steps to see if any one was trying to get in. Every thing was like he left them the evening before. So back to his bed he went to be awaken a little later by the same noise but somewhat louder and frightening. Up he got and put his clothes on then out of the cemetery he went.
“When I got about een de middle of the cemetery, Mrs. Emmie”, he said, “I could ‘magine I see all kinds ob t’ings. So I whisper a little damn een de middle of dat graveyard, people a half mile could hear. Den I started to trol a little wood all my hair standin’ straight on my head. I keep on runnin’ ’til I got on Meetin’ Street.” This was during the war and people were not allowed on the streets after certain hours, but Mr. Hicks arrived safely home without being stopped or molested.
On his arrival home at such an early hour, his wife asked: “How you home at this hour in the mornin’!”
“Don ax me no question, Sadie,” he said, “dose infurnal shosts woodn’t let me sleep a wink. I had to leave dat place. No more cemetery fur me”, he solemnly swore.
When the man who gave him the keys the day before came to see why he’s not been on duty, the keys were gladly given him although the overseer tried his best to encourage his going back to work and try it another night.
“Nosaree”, he said. “I try las’ night an I’ll be a mighty big fool to go back an try ‘gain tonight.”
—–Interview with Mrs. Emilt Gough, 35 Lucas Street, about 45 years of age, a WPA adult teacher
(SOURCE: University of South Carolina. South Caroliniana Library)