Myth and Truth

After her death, Dixie Haygood was accused of witchcraft. Legend says that she placed a curse upon her own gravesite just before her death.

According reports from several theatre students, there have been unexplained occurrences in the Russell Auditorium. Students have speculated a restless spirit caused the events. 

A rumor, began a few years ago, states that a former Georgia State Penitentiary inmate haunts Chapel Hall. According to legend, a rouge railroad car in the prison shop crushed the criminal.  

Psychopathic murderer Marion Stembridge went on a killing spree in 1953. During the rampage, Stembridge massacred two lawyers in broad daylight before turning the gun on himself. 

False. Haygood, also known as the Little Georgia Magnet, was actually a Vaudeville performer who exhibited amazing feats of strength. Before her death Haygood toured the world and performed in front of czars and presidents.  

Possibly. Former univestity President Marvin Parks’ memorial service was Russell’s christening event. “I’ve often thought that if there is a ghost at Russell, it might be President Parks,” Wilson said. “I think that maybe he just didn’t want to give up running it.”

False. Wilson was asked to speak at a conference on the paranormal in Chapel Hall. During the event, Wilson invented the entire story. He then explained the story was totally false. Apparently someone missed this part. About 10 years later, a student interviewing Wilson asked about the specter, thinking the rumor was true. “It had come back to haunt me,” Wilson said. 

True. During Milledgeville’s sesqui-centennial ceremony, Stembridge murdered two people downtown. Attorney Marion Ennis was first on the list. His death went unnoticed because of the noisy celebration on the street. Stembridge then proceed next door to of Pete Viviens’ law office. Stembridge murdered Viviens before committing suicide. After the bloodbath, a search of Stembridge’s personal safe revealed bottles of human urine samples. 

False. Haygood, also known as the Little Georgia Magnet, was actually a Vaudeville performer who exhibited amazing feats of strength. Before her death Haygood toured the world and performed in front of czars and presidents.  

Possibly. Former univestity President Marvin Parks’ memorial service was Russell’s christening event. “I’ve often thought that if there is a ghost at Russell, it might be President Parks,” Wilson said. “I think that maybe he just didn’t want to give up running it.”

False. Wilson was asked to speak at a conference on the paranormal in Chapel Hall. During the event, Wilson invented the entire story. He then explained the story was totally false. Apparently someone missed this part. About 10 years later, a student interviewing Wilson asked about the specter, thinking the rumor was true. “It had come back to haunt me,” Wilson said. 

True. During Milledgeville’s sesqui-centennial ceremony, Stembridge murdered two people downtown. Attorney Marion Ennis was first on the list. His death went unnoticed because of the noisy celebration on the street. Stembridge then proceed next door to of Pete Viviens’ law office. Stembridge murdered Viviens before committing suicide. After the bloodbath, a search of Stembridge’s personal safe revealed bottles of human urine samples. 

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 20 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry