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PAGE 10 A BARROW JOURNAL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2008 Happy Halloween: Barrow’s most haunted PLACE OF TORMENT Nodoroc was described as a ‘place of torment’ by Native Americans. BY KRISTI REED B arrow County has several locations rumored to be haunt ed. Many are private residenc es, but some are public loca tions. Investigators from the Barrow County Paranormal Society weigh in on three of the more well known haunt ing: NODOROC Located approximately three miles east of Winder, Nodoroc bears little resem blance to the “place of tor ment” once described by Native Americans. Two hundred years ago, Nodoroc was the site of a geophysical phenomenon. Referred to by early Indians as “hell,” Nodoroc was once the site of an active mud vol cano. Early settlers described the five acre site as a boiling pit of mud. In “The Early History of Jackson County, Georgia” by Gustavus James Nash Wilson and William Ellis White, Nodoroc is referred to as a forsaken place avoided by the earliest inhabitants of the county. During the first known Anglo-Saxon expedition to the area, explorers found evi dence of an ancient settlement at the site. A triangular stone temple, with sides 12 feet long and eight feet high, stood at the western edge of the volcano. In the wall facing the lake, was an opening approximate ly five feet high and just over two feet wide. It is believed the temple was used for sac rificial rites by prehistoric races. Inside the temple was a stone altar with three steps, each marked with images of fire. The altar was later pur chased by Georgia Governor George Gilmer and relocated to his residence in Lexington. According to legend, Nodoroc was considered by the Creek Indians to be a gateway to hell guarded by a creature now known as “the Wog of Winder.” The Creeks believed all bad spirits were sent to Nodoroc. The mud volcano was also used to execute prisoners. In 1810, years after the early settlers had purchased Nodoroc and the area around it from the Creeks for fourteen pounds of beads, the volcano exploded and became silent. Even after the volcano became dormant, rumors of the mythical devil dog, the Wog, persisted. In Beadland to Barrow by C. Fred Ingram, the Wog is described as “jet black, long haired, the size of a small horse with very short legs. He had repulsive red eyes and a forked tongue. His bear shaped head held a set of big teeth which were always in evidence.” Ingram wrote that the Wog's only mission appeared to be frightening people and ani mals. “The early settlers learned from the Indians that if they left him alone he would go away without doing any harm,” Ingram wrote. William Colley of the Barrow County Paranormal Society said paranormal activ ity at Nodoroc is possible due to the traumatic incidents that reportedly occurred at the location. To his knowledge, no para normal investigation has been conducted at the site. BARROW COUNTY ANNEX BUILDING Once the home of the Winder-Barrow Hospital, the Barrow County Annex build ing is believed by some to be haunted by the ghost of a for mer hospital orderly known as “Old Snake.” Despite his sinister sound ing name. Old Snake was reportedly a good orderly who enjoyed his work at the hospital. According to legend, Old Snake liked the hospital so much, he did not retire - even after he died. The most frequently told tale involving Old Snake con cerns his favorite chair. When not working, Old Snake would spend his time sitting in his chair in the hos pital basement. After Snake died, the chair was thrown out with the gar bage. The next day, the chair had reappeared in the spot where Old Snake had left it. Each time someone attempt ed to get rid of the chair, it would show up again in its original spot. After sev eral attempts to get rid of the chair, it was left in the base ment where Snake apparently wanted it. People who have worked at the annex building have reported hearing strange nois es late at night or sensing an unearthly presence. Others have reported seeing an apparition in a red shirt which they believe to be Old Snake. It is not known if Old Snake's chair is still in the basement at the annex building or if there have been any recent reports of ghostly activities. Rodney Bennett of the BCPS said this rumored haunt ing may be residual energy from the man known as Old Snake. Bennett said Snake may have felt a bond with the place and may feel he is still doing his job. According to Bennett, spirits who feel they have unfinished business may remain to haunt a location and not even be aware that they are dead. BARROW COUNTY MUSEUM Built in 1915, the Barrow County Museum building was originally used as the county's jail. Not only were prisoners housed in the building, but several sheriffs and their fami lies lived on site. Several of the original jail cells, including a win dowless, un-lighted solitary confinement cell, have been preserved and the museum is full of artifacts connected to hundreds, if not thousands, of Barrow citizens. see Haunted on page 11A SNAKE CHAIR This chair, legend has it, belonged to a former hospital orderly known as “Old Snake.” Photos by Kristi Reed HANG ‘EM HIGH The Barrow County Museum was not officially used for hanging when it was built almost 100 years ago, but rumors abound a few may have taken place. L A 0 B O Y Comfort Studio Bring home leather at “lowest price ever! only >499 ANDERSON Leather Matched Reclina-Rest® Rocker Recliner Available in Burgundy, Driftwood & Brown! LARRY'S FURNITURE 59 N. Broad Street • Downtown Winder • 770-867-1023 re-elect BILL HEALAN Barrow County District 3 Commissioner NO - Airport Expansion NO -No Private Ambulance NO - Civic Center These are important issues I have taken a strong stance on. I ask that you continue to let me protect your interests! VOTE FOR BILL HEALAN November 4! Paid for by the Bill Healan Campaign Committee