Ghostly Tales From Arizona

Tombstone

In a town where many lived and died by the gun, it is not surprising that the dead are unable to let go here. At one of the more famous haunts resides the O.K. Corral, the scene of one of the most famous gunfights in history. On that fateful afternoon of October 26, 1881, Wyatt Earp and his brothers, along with skilled gunman Doc Holiday, armed themselves and walked to the corral to confront a group of cowboys. In the group of the cowboys was the Clanton gang. Virgil, the oldest Earp, charged the Clantons with illegally bringing guns into Tombstone. For whatever reasons, Doc Holiday and Morgan Earp opened fire on the gang, and a gunfight ensued. After a matter of seconds, 3 men lay dead, Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury, and Tom McLaury. Since the gunfight, people have reported seeing ghostly apparitions, feeling cold-spots, hearing footsteps, and feeling hands upon them. Some have even reported seeing the armed gunmen who died in the gunfight.

The Dark Cell

In Yuma from 1876-1909 was a prison that once housed more than 3,000 inmates. Those that dared misbehave were thrown into the dreaded cell for solitary confinement. The cell was no more than ten by ten feet, and had a small ventilation shaft on the ceiling. The inmate would be shackled by two ringbolts, and all they would have to eat is bread and water once a day. When the sun went, the inmate would be submerged in complete darkness. Sometimes snakes, scorpions, and spiders would find their way into the cell, further tormenting the inmate. Many prisoners who left the cell would end up in the insane asylum in Phoenix. Many have felt cold-spots, or felt someone touching them when visiting the cell. Employees have heard screaming and cries for help coming from the cell as well. A writer for Arizona Highways wanted to experience the cell when writing an article. She wanted to be treated in the same manner as the inmates; to be shackled and only fed a loaf of bread and some water. The ventilation shaft was covered to leave out any light. She tried to maintain her exposure for 48 hours, but fell short of her goal. She began screaming to be let out, as she felt that she was not alone.

Charleston Bridge

Located between Sierra Vista and Tombstone is the old Charleston Bridge. It isn’t uncommon to run into someone from Sierra Vista who will tell you that at some point in their life, they have experienced the ghost of Charleston Bridge. Many stories abound as to who this mysterious lady was, but no one knows for sure who she really is. One popular story says that a woman who was madly in love with a man wanted desperately to be with him. But since she had children, the man cut off the relationship. In a moment of insanity, she took her children to the bridge and threw them over. When she told her lover what she had done, he became disgusted with her and wanted nothing more to do with her. Anguished by what she had done, she went to the same bridge and ended her life. Many claim that when they had driven over the old bridge, they would see a woman walking alone. People who didn’t offer her a ride would end up in horrible car crashes. Those that did would talk off how she left a wet spot on their passengers seat when she left. Many crosses mark the road from Sierra Vista to Tombstone, but whether or not that has anything to do with the mysterious lady is here say.