A mile and a half from the
Arkansas, Oklahoma border within what is today the Ouachita National Forest is
a small neglected cemetery that was established during the American Civil War.
This cemetery was used well into the 20th century before it was claimed as a part of the Ouachita National Forest. It would probably be long forgotten except for the fact it is known for a ghost that has haunted the area for over 140 years.
This cemetery was used well into the 20th century before it was claimed as a part of the Ouachita National Forest. It would probably be long forgotten except for the fact it is known for a ghost that has haunted the area for over 140 years.
During the Civil War, a small
number of families settled atop the rocky slopes of Rich Mountain.
Some state these families settled in the mountains because they were driven away by Confederate raids in the valleys below or because they were Union sympathizers—known as “Mountain Feds”-- who fled to avoid being forced to join the Confederate army.
Unfortunately, the mountain was not hospitable. Its thin soil made it almost impossible to eke out a living. Added to this burden were the harsh winters, which made survival for these settlers even harder.
Some state these families settled in the mountains because they were driven away by Confederate raids in the valleys below or because they were Union sympathizers—known as “Mountain Feds”-- who fled to avoid being forced to join the Confederate army.
Unfortunately, the mountain was not hospitable. Its thin soil made it almost impossible to eke out a living. Added to this burden were the harsh winters, which made survival for these settlers even harder.
One year during the Civil War
a particularly brutal winter storm swept in from Oklahoma covering the mountain’s
ridges in ice and snow.
Among the families that settled on Rich Mountain, there was a mother, her teenage daughter, and several younger children. It is not known whether their father was fighting in the war or dead.
When this storm hit, the mother was abed with a high fever, so she sent her eldest daughter out to get badly needed water at a nearby spring. Tragically, her young daughter never returned.
Among the families that settled on Rich Mountain, there was a mother, her teenage daughter, and several younger children. It is not known whether their father was fighting in the war or dead.
When this storm hit, the mother was abed with a high fever, so she sent her eldest daughter out to get badly needed water at a nearby spring. Tragically, her young daughter never returned.
Cornered by wolves before she
reached the spring the teen was forced to take refuge in a tree. Several days later
her body was found frozen stiff in the tree where she had taken shelter. She
was buried in the Rich Mountain Pioneer Cemetery.
Ever since witnesses have
reported seeing the ghost of this young girl in the cemetery. At night a strange light is seen in the trees. Witnesses’ state they
feel this light is the ghost of the young girl who is still trapped.
Others state that they have seen this light moving along the mountain ridge—it is said it is the young girl looking for her family’s cabin.
Others state that they have seen this light moving along the mountain ridge—it is said it is the young girl looking for her family’s cabin.
Because of these reports several
legends about the cemetery and the surrounding area have persisted.
When the area was claimed as
part of the Ouachita National Forest, the descendants of these settler families
moved off the top of the mountain.
Today the visitor can still walk down a short path to a split rail fence that partially surrounds the cemetery.
Even in bright summer sunlight, the cracked and broken tombstones that lay amidst layers of leaves are shrouded in damp earth and shadows.
Today the visitor can still walk down a short path to a split rail fence that partially surrounds the cemetery.
Even in bright summer sunlight, the cracked and broken tombstones that lay amidst layers of leaves are shrouded in damp earth and shadows.
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