True Life Tuesday: The Greenbrier Ghost

This is one crazy story that is hard to believe. While this exact story has not been made into a movie as far as I know the theme of someone coming back from the grave to seek justice is not a new one.

This story took place in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. Elva Zona Heaster Shue - who went by Zona - is the victim in this story. In October 1896 she met Erasmus Shue, a blacksmith who went by Trout and Edward. They were soon married against the wishes of her mother Mary Jane. Erasmus had a criminal record and had served 2 years in prison for stealing a horse. He had also been married twice before. His first wife divorced him after he abandoned her and their child. His second wife died after he allegedly accidently dropped a brick on her head while repairing the roof of their home. 

On January 23, 1897 Erasmus sent a neighbor boy to his house to see if Zona needed anything from the store. There he found her dead and rushed home to tell his mother. Eventually the local physician, Dr. Knapp, was brought to the house. Erasmus asked him to not make a total examination of her body. He dressed her in the high collar dress she was married in and tied a a large veil several times under her neck. Witnesses said that Zona's head bobbed like it had no support.

Mary Jane stated that on 4 consecutive night Zona's ghost appeared to her. She stated that Erasmus killed her in a violent rage and said that he we continually abusive to her during their marriage. Mary Jane and her brother in law went to the county prosecuting attorney with their story. After several hours of questioning he came to believe that there was reason to reopen the investigation. He had her body exhumed and during the autopsy it was determined that her neck was broken and her windpipe was crushed. 

Erasmus was arrested and remained in the local jail until he was indicted and while waiting for trial. On June 22, 1897 he was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. A few days later there was a failed lynching attempt against him. He was then moved to the state prison in Moundville where he dies on March 1, 1900.