Thursday, January 13, 2011

Something's bad on Twitchell Hill

After digesting a string of movies recently about the supernatural world of ghosts and apparitions one "sees" these days, I started thinking (again) of the scary stories and places we had to deal with in '50s Baldwyn.

There was the Sloan home, the old Caldwell home, and the 20-mile creek wash-hole where someone drowned that come to mind. I'm sure there were others associated with the Crossroads battlefield, but the one that I had to do a bit of research on was the tale of the "headless" Mr. Twitchell.

The hill South of town was named after that fellow. I have heard he was a landowner, farmer, and also a homeless vagrant. Anyhow, and somehow, the story got around (I barely remember it) that he was found decapitated and later roamed the hill around his neighborhood moaning and searching for his head. Many believed the tale, and would not stay in that area after dark. I asked some older folks about the story, and, according to them, it was a very well known tale.

Twitchell hill was a lure to boys in my age group because of the peach trees, pecan trees, and many other fruit trees that abounded on it. It was a good place to have tracking practice in the Boy Scout program and various other functions. Herb Spivey and I sent our first message using semaphore flags there once. I recall only one overnight trip with the scouts in that area, and if anyone had ever mentioned old man Twitchell coming around looking for his head, I swear we would have gone home post-haste.

A public dump was on top of the hill in my day, and we boys found many "treasures" there. Old radios, appliances, glass gallon jugs we could sell for a quarter apiece, and various other items would get hauled away to home on our bicycles.

So, I am told and will trust my sources that there really was a Mr. Twitchell and he lived on that particular hill. His social status I do not know. His death by decapitation or otherwise is also unknown. For the sake of humor, let's assume he did die violently and search for his head as reported - and probably still does. This is no worse of a ghost story than we see on the screen these days.

There was always someone's house on the old road on the hill, it seems, that got a lot of visitors continually. I remind you of that because if some folks couldn't get their thirst quenched by a milkshake or a cola of some sort, they drove down and got an adult beverage... Oh! and that is the person that bought the gallon jugs from us!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Parking with your girl facing downhill on the dark old gravel road was popular because if the battery got too low after using the radio you could roll downhill and get the car started easily. Lots of crazy things went on down on tWitchell hill.

Anonymous said...

Nice story, Carl. Of course Henry Outlaw can talk about the house on S. 2nd St.

Milton said...

I was scouting the dump for "treasures" one Saturday morning when I came upon a seemingly empty car. As I neared the vehicle a head peeped over the window sill and it was one of our local teachers! I know she thought I would blab that news all over the school but I never did rat on her.

Carl Houston said...

Hope it wasn't Hortense Latimer, Milton!!! UGGGH

Milton said...

No, but wouldn't that have been a hoot? In fact, that might have scared all the ghosts off Twitchell Hill for good!

Anonymous said...

C'mon Milton!!! Who was it??? Huh, Huh , Huh????

Anonymous said...

Milton,
Was her first name Clytee?

Carl Houston said...

Well, inquiring minds want to know, and I am no different... but please preserve the identity and dignity of that person.
After all, girls like to have fun, too.

Anonymous said...

I found my thrill on Twitchell Hill
and it lingered until, I parked at
North Bridge,
Thu wind the willows played, love's
sweet melody.....

such great memories