Spirits have their say in Madison Ghost Walk
Tour guide Jacque Reeves explains a spirit’s unhappy story at 21 Front St. during the Madison Ghost Walk. (RECORD PHOTO / GREGG PARKER)
MADISON – The Madison Ghost Walk weaves tantalizing tales of the supernatural, seasoned with a dose of history about upstanding citizens and questionable characters.
“The ghosts tell our mediums … ‘You’ve got to tell our story,'” guide Jacque Reeves said. She and husband Robert led groups for the first walk on Aug. 23.
At 112 Main St., Jacque Reeves recounted a grisly robbery/murder, told through the ghost’s voice. In 1884, two robbers went after $800 held in proprietor Nathan Freeman’s safe. A robber hit Freeman over the head with an ax, and then slit his throat, ear to ear.
“The ghost of Nathan Freeman is still in the store,” Reeves said. “He tells us, through a medium … ‘Nothing is here; you’ll have to wait for me.'”
Spirits of soldiers — both Confederate and Union — from two skirmishes in the Civil War occupy Madison’s downtown area, especially near the current-day gazebo and Roundhouse.
“Our medium sees local farmers who came out with all they had, farm tools and ancient rifles, fighting for their property,” Reeves said.
Based on extensive research, Reeve’s narration includes historical facts about the founding of Madison. “John ‘Buch’ Floyd became mayor of Madison and was responsible for having the Roundhouse built on eight-foot stilts over the water supply. His office was in the Roundhouse, (which) served as city hall and a barbershop until 1936,” she said.
“Fannie Bradford lived with her father at 21 Front St.” after her husband’s suicide. “Our medium gets a strong feeling that she was a prisoner in her father’s home. She wants her story told. Her father blamed her for her husband’s suicide,” Reeves said.
Reeves is president of the Huntsville-Madison County Historical Society and curator of Donnell House in Athens.
The walks will continue through Halloween on Fridays at 6 p.m., starting from Bandito Burrito, 208 Main St. Tickets for the Madison Ghost Walk are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 years and younger. For more information, visit huntsvilleghostwalk.com.
