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Ghost Hunting McDow Hole LbNA #54060

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 19, 2010
Location:
City:Dublin
County:Erath
State:Texas
Boxes:1
Planted by:travelcrazy
Found by: Adventurous Joker
Last found:Jan 16, 2012
Status:FFFFFaa
Last edited:Jun 19, 2010
McDow Hole, south of Dublin has been the focal point of ghostly activity for over 130 yrs. The hole got its name after the Jim McDow family who, in 1860, purchased 189 acres in and around a spring-fed pond that was part of Green Creek. Being spring fed it assured water year round and the McDows chose to build their cabin not far from the hole. When local pioneers, passing through the region, would stop off to get water they began referring to the spot as the McDow Hole.

The ghost story of McDow hole centers on the Papworth family. The Papworths were natives of Georgia and decided to move when an outbreak of malaria swept across the state. Persuaded by his uncle, Jim McDow, Charlie Papworth took his wife Jenny and their infant son, Temple, to Texas. They settled on the McDow property along the banks of Green Creek, a couple hundred yards from the watering hole. The Papworths never saw Jim McDow, who died shortly before their arrival in the early 1860s. McDows son, also named Jim, stayed on the property and welcomed the Papworth's upon their arrival.

The next few years went by as the Papworths worked hard on their land. They had a second child in 1865 and became friends with the few families scattered through the area. Shortly after, in 1866, Charlie received word of his parents passing back in Georgia. He would have to travel to Texarkana to pick up belongings they left for him in their wills. When Charlie returned from the long trip Charlie found his cabin in disarray and his wife and infant son missing. Thinking it was a Comanche attack he went seeking revenge. Close to the cabin was his four year old son Temple, unhurt but very frightened. Temple said he had seen a man inside the cabin that spoke English and was light skinned. This ruled out the possibility of Native Americans. W.P. Brownlow, a shady character, quickly became the main suspect due to his insistence that this was the work of Comanche’s. To try and divert attention away from himself, Brownlow began accusing Charlie Papworth of horse thievery and suggested hanging. At first no one wanted to believe W.P. but weeks of incessant persecution the townsfolk began to change their minds. Brownlow centered his centered his cries at the newer members of the Green River area, those who didn’t know Charlie Papworth too well. These new residences finally agreed with Brownlow and a pecan tree on the banks of the McDow hole was chosen as the hanging spot. Papworths young son Temple watched as his father was strung up. He was able to cut down his dad before it was too late as he was quick at climbing the tree because it was his favorite climbing tree. The two, fled fearful for their lives to the Oklahoma territory.

Ever since then, the ghostly apparition of Jenny Papworth, holding her newborn baby, has been in the cabin and around the McDow hole. A family known as the Keith’s, who were close friend of the Papworths, spent the night in the cabin shortly after it was abandoned. Around midnight the room became extremely cold. It was a muggy summer night and even thick quilts couldn’t keep the family warm. There was a knock on the door. When Mr. Keith opened it he saw in the doorway the figure of a woman with an infant baby in her arms. Suddenly, the figure disappeared. Curious as to what this was Mr. Keith decided to spend another night. Sure enough, Jenny Papworth was seen again. This time inside the cabin walking across the room with her baby then disappearing. The family spent a third night, and this time Jenny not only knocked on the door but let out an incredibly loud cry for help when Mr. Keith called out to her. The Keith’s didn’t feel comfortable staying inside the cabin anymore and sprinted back the four miles to their house.

I 1880 a man named Charlie Atchinson moved into the cabin. He was not one for believing in the Keith’s ghostly encounter. For over a year he lived quietly by himself until one day a group of farmers, searching for their cattle, knocked on his door. It was locked tight along with the cabins only window. Concerned, the men decided to break in. Lying on the floor was Charlie Atchinson's lifeless body. He was starring upward with a look of extreme fear on his face.

The most intriguing tale concerning the Papworth took place in the mid-1880s. The railroad came through Erath County and created the town of Alexander. Alexander is now virtually a ghost town and located about 3 miles south of McDow hole. One day in an Alexander saloon a conversation was struck up about the ghost. Ruben and James Burrows were especially interested. The Burrows brothers were well known train robbers throughout Texas and the south. Some claim that they robbed more trains that The James Gang. Nothing, not even a ghost, could scare them they said. The bartender of the saloon was willing to bet $200 that they couldn’t spend 3 nights in the haunted cabin. The brothers accepted, the money was collected, and the bet was on. A few men from Alexander rode out with the Burrows boys to make sure they would stay in the cabin. After the sun Set their horses were taken back to town to ensure they wouldn’t flee and night one was under way. After the third day the group from Alexander headed to the Papworth place to find no one. The Burrow boys did flee, but on foot, and left seven bullet holes in the wall near the door and several more in the ceiling. They were never seen again in Alexander. Many years later, James Burrows, dying in an Arkansas prison, explained what happened in the cabin. The first night the boys were very drunk and had seen Jenny Papworth. Thinking it was perhaps the whiskey they didn’t make anything of it. The second night, now sober, she walked right through the wall by the door and floated up through the ceiling. Frightened beyond belief, they unloaded their six-guns at her and ran. Knowing they would be the brunt of every joke in Alexander and $200 in the red, they decided never to set foot in town again.

The final chapter in the McDow hole story came in the early 20th century. A sick and old W.P. Brownlow confessed to killing Jenny Papworth and her infant child. She had heard him conversing with cattle rustlers and feared her testimony would get him hanged.

The Papworth's cabin is no longer there but the McDow hole is still supplying water year round. The locals of Dublin and Alexander still like telling the old stories from years ago and many say they still experience encounters from time to time.

The actual McDows hole is now on private property and cannot be accessed. This bridge is the closest you can get to the actual site. Some like to come here late at night and Halloween and wait and watch hoping to catch a glimpse of Jenny and her baby. Hang around......you never know...she might be watching????

To Locate Box: From Downtown Dublin, travel east on Highway 6 towards Hico. Turn left on county road (CR) 522. Travel approx. .9 of a mile. Park on the center of the bridge, if you dare, between the I love u's. From that point walk 60 steps north. Stop and look on the same side of the road that i <3 u is on. Look just off the road for some big rocks. Look behind and under the big rock on the right. Please rehide this box back good as this is a highly traveled road.