1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:06,560 Due to the haunting nature, these haunted places, listener discretion, is advised. 2 00:00:06,560 --> 00:00:12,920 Today, we're diving into the haunting legend of screaming Jenny, a spirit who echoes through 3 00:00:12,920 --> 00:00:17,760 the misty hills of West Virginia while it drives us all to wonder the tracks crying 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:19,120 out in anguish. 5 00:00:19,120 --> 00:00:25,140 Join me as I unravel the tragic tale behind this ghostly figure, explore the chilling 6 00:00:25,140 --> 00:00:30,720 sightings, and discover a few variations of her story. 7 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:56,860 I'm your host Mark Covey, and this is State Haunts. 8 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:11,540 Perhaps the most horrifying Carpers Ferry ghost story is the sad tale of screaming Jenny. 9 00:01:11,540 --> 00:01:18,180 Soon after the railroad came to town in 1833, a poverty-stricken woman named Jenny took 10 00:01:18,180 --> 00:01:23,620 up residence in one of the Armory's abandoned storage sheds behind the tracks of what is 11 00:01:23,620 --> 00:01:26,260 today's train station. 12 00:01:26,260 --> 00:01:31,300 While trying to stay warm one night and heating up her broth for dinner, Jenny got too close 13 00:01:31,300 --> 00:01:32,620 to her fire. 14 00:01:32,620 --> 00:01:37,460 Her sackcloth dress caught fire and blazed up in an instant. 15 00:01:37,460 --> 00:01:43,460 Hysterical with terror, Jenny ran out of her shack and down the tracks screaming for help. 16 00:01:43,460 --> 00:01:48,260 The wind that night fanned the flames, turning her into a human fireball. 17 00:01:48,260 --> 00:01:53,460 Her agony wouldn't last for long, as the night train struck her. 18 00:01:53,460 --> 00:02:00,980 To this day, engineers sometimes tell the story of seeing and hearing a screaming fireball 19 00:02:00,980 --> 00:02:03,500 racing down the tracks towards them. 20 00:02:03,500 --> 00:02:09,180 Some even say that they can feel a thud of the train striking a body, although they never 21 00:02:09,180 --> 00:02:11,940 find a body. 22 00:02:11,940 --> 00:02:17,380 Another variation of Jenny's story is that she's a colonial housewife who got close to 23 00:02:17,380 --> 00:02:23,980 a fireplace and caught fire and that the screaming fireball is seen running along the top of 24 00:02:23,980 --> 00:02:28,380 the Maryland Heights, the cliffs across the Potomac River. 25 00:02:28,380 --> 00:02:34,620 However, there's another story that may account for that fireball. 26 00:02:34,620 --> 00:02:39,820 Since the Civil War, the weird lights seen on the Heights are thought to be the ghosts 27 00:02:39,820 --> 00:02:46,900 of 100-day men, short-term volunteers from Ohio who helped defend Harper's Ferry early 28 00:02:46,900 --> 00:02:47,900 in the war. 29 00:02:47,900 --> 00:02:53,980 Although brave, these men lacked experience in military matters to say the least, lacking 30 00:02:53,980 --> 00:02:56,860 suitable dry ground to build a campfire. 31 00:02:56,860 --> 00:03:01,300 One rainy night, they used some live cannon shells to construct a hearth. 32 00:03:01,300 --> 00:03:05,140 The fire was lit and the horrible explosion killed many of them. 33 00:03:05,140 --> 00:03:11,980 It's said that their ghosts now light the Heights, a constant reminder of their foolishness. 34 00:03:11,980 --> 00:03:17,420 Thank you so much for listening to the Stay After Halloween edition of State Haunts. 35 00:03:17,420 --> 00:03:22,180 I absolutely love telling these stories, so keep your eyes peeled for something that may 36 00:03:22,180 --> 00:03:24,460 be coming to your feed soon. 37 00:03:24,460 --> 00:03:31,420 Today, we explore the haunting tale of screaming Jenny, a story steeped in tragedy and mystery. 38 00:03:31,420 --> 00:03:33,060 But what do you think? 39 00:03:33,060 --> 00:03:38,860 Are there similar legends in your area that have shaped your community's identity? 40 00:03:38,860 --> 00:03:44,460 Share your stories with us on social media and Mountain State Mysteries. 41 00:03:44,460 --> 00:03:48,540 Join us next week as we deep dive into another true crime case. 42 00:03:48,540 --> 00:03:53,100 If you find yourself enjoying Mountain State Mysteries, take a second to follow, rate, and 43 00:03:53,100 --> 00:03:55,420 download on your favorite podcast platform. 44 00:03:55,420 --> 00:03:59,380 It helps others find good West Virginia true crime podcasts. 45 00:03:59,380 --> 00:04:06,380 Don't forget to follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, all at Mountain State Mysteries. 46 00:04:06,380 --> 00:04:11,380 And for the show notes, check out our website, MountainStateMysteriesPodcast.com.