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Old Wilkes Jail
Cleveland House
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Jeremiah Greer Daniel Normam |
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Temperature - Outside: 33.2 °F/Inside: 67 °F Winds - 1mph to 2mph (SW) Dew Point - 21 °F Barometric Pressure - 30.05> Winds - 1mph to 5mph (SW) Moon Phase - Waxing Gibbous |
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History |
Claims |
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Audio |
Video |
Experiences |
After Thoughts
The Old Wilkes Jail was built in 1859 and first occupied in 1860. There were three very notable inmates during its use. The first two being Tom Dula and Ann Melton. Tom and Ann were incarcerated in August of 1866 for the murder of Laura Foster. Ann was Laura's sister and Tom her boyfriend. The story is that Tom was dating Ann before going off to the Civil War. Upon returning, Ann had married, and Tom began dating her sister Larua. They one day decided to elope. Shortly after Laura's body was found in a shallow grave. Tom and Ann both were arrested and incarcerated in the Old Wilkes Jail until a change of venue to Statesville, NC. Tom was brought in, in shackles and chains. Tom was later convicted for the murder and hung. Ann, however, was found not guilty. You can do a search on the internet for Tom Dula to get a detailed account of the story. It is very interesting and huge part of the heritage of Wilkesboro.
The last notable inmate was a man named Otto Wood. Otto was incarcerated in the late 1920's at the age of 13 for stealing a bicycle. Otto's claim to fame was his ability to escape from any jail he was put in. However, the Old Wilkes Jail is one that he could not conquer.
Photos were clean
Recorded with the Sony ICD-P210. At the beginning of the investigation Daniel and Jeremiah went to the Tom Dula cell. Daniel was wanting to close the cell door but there was a saddle in the way. It sounds like two different EVPs back to back. We believe it to say "Punk" immediately followed by "Go Away".
"Punk" and "Go Away
"Punk" and "Go Away
Recorded with an Olympus VN-960PC. Jeremiah, Daniel and Chris were in Ann Melton's cell looking at some pictures taken by Daniel. We could not make out what the voice is exactly saying but a few have suggested that it may possibly be a foreign language.
Unknown
Unknown
Recorded with the Sony ICD-P210. This recorder was sitting by it's self in Ann Melton's cell. It doesn't sound like its saying anything but more like a sigh.
Sigh
Sigh
Video was Clean
Once a again a great place to get the opportunity to investigate. This time we got to stay longer and later and investigate the Cleveland House which sets about 40 yards behind the Old Wilkes Jail.
As for the claims of paranormal activity, again it was quiet while we were their with a few experiences. Still I don't feel we are prepared to say that the place is haunted but are pleased that we recorded a few EVPs and had a few but minor experiences while there.
Wilkesboro Candle Light Ghost Tour
If you would like to take a guided tour of the haunted places in Historic Wilkesboro, including the Old Wilkes Jail, visit wilkesheritagemuseum.com. Or feel free to contact R.G. Absher at absher-r@juno.com or by phone at 336/902-1760.