Evelyn of Bodie
I have already posted one image of Evelyn's monument but have since found this bit of history about her and thought it was worth adding another with the story....
The Ghostly Little Evelyn of Bodie
Bodie is one of California's most popular state parks. A ghost town with a past, there is little left of the once sprawling metropolis....The ghosts, however, stay on. One of Bodie's most popular ghosts is that of the tragic little Evelyn.
When gold was discovered nearby in 1859 the town saw its population grow to nearly 10,000 residents. Evelyn's parents were among those who came seeking their fortune. But Bodie was a wild town and life was especially hard on the children. Death played no favorites. They were subjected to the same harsh winters and free flying bullets as the adults were. And if that didn't get them, rampaging disease and accidents helped to doom many of them to early graves.
Little Evelyn was the victim of a terrible accident that sent her to her untimely death. It seems that Evelyn, a child of four, liked to follow a kind hearted miner to work every morning. She patiently waited outside her small home till she heard the miner's cheerful whistle, then off she'd go, tagging along behind him.
Sometimes the little girl would stop and watch the man go about his chores before she headed back home. Early one fall morning, the winds began fiercely whipping down off the mountains. The darkened gray sky was heavy with the threat of an impending snowstorm. Undaunted, Evelyn followed closely on the miner's heels. Halfway to his job site the miner stopped and stared intently at the sky. Realizing that snow was on its way, he told Evelyn that the weather was about to change and she would have to hurry back home. Smiling to himself, he watched as she turned and ran toward town.
Unfortunately, Evelyn was a headstrong child. She waited till he was occupied with his task, than sneaked back to where he worked. Ever so silently, she crept closer to the man. Unaware of her, he swung his heavy pickaxe back. At that moment the pickaxe smashed into the little girl's head, killing her instantly.
The miner was devastated. The townspeople were so heartbroken at poor little Evelyn's death that they erected a beautiful guardian angel headstone for her. It was a thoughtful gesture indeed. She must have really appreciated their kindness because she has stayed and haunted Bodie ever since.
While the ghosts of children seem especially sad, Evelyn's little ghost is always happy and smiling. Her apparition has been seen numerous times since her untimely demise. Some folks refer to the little girl as the "Angel of Bodie." She usually appears in the cemetery where she is buried, but she's also been seen in the town itself, especially on nights when the moon is full.
Copyright 2003 by HauntedNevada.com
I have been told the fatal injury to her head is why her monument has her pointing a finger to the top of her head.
Taken in Bodie, California, USA.
Evelyn of Bodie
I have already posted one image of Evelyn's monument but have since found this bit of history about her and thought it was worth adding another with the story....
The Ghostly Little Evelyn of Bodie
Bodie is one of California's most popular state parks. A ghost town with a past, there is little left of the once sprawling metropolis....The ghosts, however, stay on. One of Bodie's most popular ghosts is that of the tragic little Evelyn.
When gold was discovered nearby in 1859 the town saw its population grow to nearly 10,000 residents. Evelyn's parents were among those who came seeking their fortune. But Bodie was a wild town and life was especially hard on the children. Death played no favorites. They were subjected to the same harsh winters and free flying bullets as the adults were. And if that didn't get them, rampaging disease and accidents helped to doom many of them to early graves.
Little Evelyn was the victim of a terrible accident that sent her to her untimely death. It seems that Evelyn, a child of four, liked to follow a kind hearted miner to work every morning. She patiently waited outside her small home till she heard the miner's cheerful whistle, then off she'd go, tagging along behind him.
Sometimes the little girl would stop and watch the man go about his chores before she headed back home. Early one fall morning, the winds began fiercely whipping down off the mountains. The darkened gray sky was heavy with the threat of an impending snowstorm. Undaunted, Evelyn followed closely on the miner's heels. Halfway to his job site the miner stopped and stared intently at the sky. Realizing that snow was on its way, he told Evelyn that the weather was about to change and she would have to hurry back home. Smiling to himself, he watched as she turned and ran toward town.
Unfortunately, Evelyn was a headstrong child. She waited till he was occupied with his task, than sneaked back to where he worked. Ever so silently, she crept closer to the man. Unaware of her, he swung his heavy pickaxe back. At that moment the pickaxe smashed into the little girl's head, killing her instantly.
The miner was devastated. The townspeople were so heartbroken at poor little Evelyn's death that they erected a beautiful guardian angel headstone for her. It was a thoughtful gesture indeed. She must have really appreciated their kindness because she has stayed and haunted Bodie ever since.
While the ghosts of children seem especially sad, Evelyn's little ghost is always happy and smiling. Her apparition has been seen numerous times since her untimely demise. Some folks refer to the little girl as the "Angel of Bodie." She usually appears in the cemetery where she is buried, but she's also been seen in the town itself, especially on nights when the moon is full.
Copyright 2003 by HauntedNevada.com
I have been told the fatal injury to her head is why her monument has her pointing a finger to the top of her head.
Taken in Bodie, California, USA.