S3 Ep22: Urban Legend: Screaming Jenny

The legend of Screaming Jenny haunts the tracks of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. With many variations of her story, this tale captivates all who hears it. Join Mark on his journey through these urban legends.

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Due to the haunting nature, these haunted places, listener discretion, is advised.

(00:06):
Today, we're diving into the haunting legend of screaming Jenny, a spirit who echoes through
the misty hills of West Virginia while it drives us all to wonder the tracks crying
out in anguish.
Join me as I unravel the tragic tale behind this ghostly figure, explore the chilling
sightings, and discover a few variations of her story.

(00:30):
I'm your host Mark Covey, and this is State Haunts.

(01:00):
Perhaps the most horrifying Carpers Ferry ghost story is the sad tale of screaming Jenny.
Soon after the railroad came to town in 1833, a poverty-stricken woman named Jenny took
up residence in one of the Armory's abandoned storage sheds behind the tracks of what is

(01:23):
today's train station.
While trying to stay warm one night and heating up her broth for dinner, Jenny got too close
to her fire.
Her sackcloth dress caught fire and blazed up in an instant.
Hysterical with terror, Jenny ran out of her shack and down the tracks screaming for help.
The wind that night fanned the flames, turning her into a human fireball.

(01:48):
Her agony wouldn't last for long, as the night train struck her.
To this day, engineers sometimes tell the story of seeing and hearing a screaming fireball
racing down the tracks towards them.
Some even say that they can feel a thud of the train striking a body, although they never

(02:09):
find a body.
Another variation of Jenny's story is that she's a colonial housewife who got close to
a fireplace and caught fire and that the screaming fireball is seen running along the top of
the Maryland Heights, the cliffs across the Potomac River.
However, there's another story that may account for that fireball.

(02:34):
Since the Civil War, the weird lights seen on the Heights are thought to be the ghosts
of 100-day men, short-term volunteers from Ohio who helped defend Harper's Ferry early
in the war.
Although brave, these men lacked experience in military matters to say the least, lacking
suitable dry ground to build a campfire.

(02:56):
One rainy night, they used some live cannon shells to construct a hearth.
The fire was lit and the horrible explosion killed many of them.
It's said that their ghosts now light the Heights, a constant reminder of their foolishness.
Thank you so much for listening to the Stay After Halloween edition of State Haunts.

(03:17):
I absolutely love telling these stories, so keep your eyes peeled for something that may
be coming to your feed soon.
Today, we explore the haunting tale of screaming Jenny, a story steeped in tragedy and mystery.
But what do you think?
Are there similar legends in your area that have shaped your community's identity?

(03:38):
Share your stories with us on social media and Mountain State Mysteries.
Join us next week as we deep dive into another true crime case.
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download on your favorite podcast platform.
It helps others find good West Virginia true crime podcasts.

(03:59):
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And for the show notes, check out our website, MountainStateMysteriesPodcast.com.