The Greenbrier Ghost and West Virginia history

The death of Zona Shue was thought to be by natural causes. That is, until her ghost told a different story. In 1890s West Virginia, extraordinary evidence became part of a murder trial. This spirit has been called "The Greenbrier Ghost."
The episode is intended for educational purposes. All events are portrayed in historical context. No graphic depictions of violence are depicted.
The History Guy uses media that are in the public domain. As photographs of actual events are sometimes not available, photographs of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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The History Guy: History Deserves to Be Remembered is the place to find short snippets of forgotten history from five to fifteen minutes long. If you like history too, this is the channel for you.
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Script by HCW
#greenbrierghost #thehistoryguy #ushistory

[@6Sally5]

I honestly don’t understand how you could get any “thumbs down” on any of your videos. Absolutely fascinating and I love your story telling ability!

[@aucuneideejsp8891]

Historians feuds

[@innerviews897]

56👎 out of 134k views

[@mothman-jz8ug]

There are sad people on KZbin who simply click from video to video leaving thumbs down. They arre miserable people who want everyone to be as miserable as they are.

[@richardea4223]

Shu was so afraid that he couldn't tie his own shoes 😎

[@Yeardmeh-oo8pj]

The fact that he gets very few if any substantial amount of something's down shows that he creates amazing content

[@brucelee3388]

Something similar from Australia - Fisher's Ghost. Fisher was murdered by a neighbor but several weeks later his 'ghost' pointed out the burial place to a passerby. The murderer confessed and was hung after a trial.

[@locktite401]

Not true. That was a sensational newspaper story, 19C fake news. It was completely obvious to police who the main suspect would have been.

[@tombates9122]

Maybe more similar than you think - On the front page of the same newspaper which reported on Zona's death was a story telling of "The most famous Australian ghost story", which describes both the Fisher's ghost story and the subsequent death-bed confession that the original witness made the ghost story up to divert anger of the dangerous accused away from the witness. There is little doubt that the mother read the article, being on the front page of the same issue which reported her daughter's death. Coincidence?

[@Mr3344555]

I come to youtube to lose brain cells not to get educ- woah, education is actually cool! This channel and a couple are literally youtube saviors.

[@dannynicastro3207]

Mr3344555 ...Sure are. So much better than the usual dribble.

[@hillbillyhippieweirdo4285]

Nice.

[@onelifetogive4658]

Do tell .... recovering from shoulder surgery and have a lot of time on my hands....hand

[@QueenBee-gx4rp]

OneLifeToGive Hope you’re doing better! Take care...👋🏻

[@stevent222]

@@dannynicastro3207 First time I've seen this channel that is why I just subscribed to it.

[@sharonwhiteley6510]

As a WV resident, I was thrilled to watch an episode where s ghost testifies her herself . Please keep up the good work .

[@charlieharper886]

Wow, what an honor to have The History Guy share a bit of our beautiful state's rich history. I'm in the Summersville area, probably a half hour or so from where this happened and have actually visited her grave.

[@georgegaylord]

Growing up in Greenbrier Country this story is on a historical marker outside the County Court House in Lewisburg. We were told this story every year in history classes and reminded to be good moral people as the truth would always come back to “ haunt” you. Good to see someone retelling it today. To my knowledge it is the only time a ghosts testimony was used in the United States to convict a murderer . Thanks for the flashback to when I was a kid

[@raypelling6440]

THIS is one of the craziest stories of history I have EVER heard. Bravo!

[@GoodGnewsGary]

Another riveting episode. You are great at reliving history. Thank you.

[@johnmeadows5645]

thank you for telling this part of our history. i was raised in greenbrier county and worked at the hotel where the nuclear bunker was located, and got to tour it before the story was made public. my great uncle rafe little was a witness who testified for the prosecution in edward shue's trial.

[@dlkline27]

I've lived in West Virginia for 70 years and in that time dined at the Greenbrier once. However, I never before heard this story. Thank you for this bit of history.

[@andyrichardsvideovlogs8835]

Fascinating story which illustrates the clash of cultures at the time. A folk-lorish , ghostly revelation leads to a cutting-edge for the time, exhumation and autopsy with photography. How strange and conflicted must those people have been

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

That was not an actual picture of her autopsy.

[@ajworkman3332]

As a native of Greenbrier county West Virginia, and more closely the foot of Droop mountain. I appreciate this episode greatly. Our family has a story concerning the period between schues first and second wives that found him being thrown/ dunked in a creek in winter time.

[@johndavies9270]

I've come across this story before, but not related in this degree of detail. A fascinating tale, and, as the other comments show, open to all manner of interpretations. Ghost stories of this type, seeking to redress a wrong were once a major part of folk culture but are almost forgotten now. Well done, HG for keeping this one alive.

[@_WeDontKnow_]

Mr. Ballen just recently uploaded a telling of this story with a bit more detail in some areas :)

[@cjmoore7240]

Wow! What a great piece of History! A ghost convicts a man! KEEP ON ROCKING!

[@SteveMack]

As always an interesting story and history that deserves to be remembered! 👍

[@sallydogood6169]

Yay! Thanks for this! We live in Greenbrier County and poor Zona is very much still talked about here.

[@tombates9122]

Great video as always. I would like to point out a few things which I've subsequently found which either aren't mentioned or doesn't come over very clearly in your video. Firstly, there's virtually zero doubt that the conviction had nothing to do with the ghost story. There was a strong circumstantial case against the accused and, although rare, it wasn't unheard of for such a case to earn a conviction. The local paper made it clear that the conviction was based on evidence presented. There's no evidence that the case was re-examined based on the mother's claim of seeing a ghost, but rather because of 'community suspicion'. A number of people had complained that the husband was acting strangely around the body, including packing material around the head in the coffin to prevent the head moving. He had also made a number of odd statements including words to the effect of 'they won't be able to prove I did it'. He was also known to be violent and had almost been murdered by his previous wife's family due to his treatment of her (that's where the ice lake story comes from - they actually tried to drown him in an ice lake). It should also be pointed out that there is no record of the mother knowing how her daughter died until after the autopsy. In fact, it was 3 hours into the autopsy before the examiners even checked the neck area and found the dislocation. If they had exhumed her body because the mother told them her neck was broken wouldn't it be reasonable to assume they would check that almost immediately? There are a number of stories that two of his previous wives died mysteriously, but (as you correctly state) only one previous wife was dead, the other got a divorce while he was in jail for horse theft. Most damning of all to the ghost story, according to Fred Long, editor of The Hinton News-Leader, on the front page of the very newspaper which reported Zona's death was the story of 'The Greatest Australian Ghost Story', which I presume refers to Fisher's Ghost. The Fisher's Ghost story is a famous Australian story from early 19th century of a man who was murdered and his ghost pointed out the location of his corpse and apparently resulted in the conviction of the killer who later confessed to the crime. The story in the paper was actually relating that the man who claimed to see the ghost, confessed on his death-bed that he made up the ghost story to divert the anger of the accused (who was obviously dangerous) away from himself. The man had actually witnessed the crime but feared saying so because he was afraid of being killed himself. There's little doubt that the mother would have seen this story, being on the front page of the issue which reported her daughter's death.

[@JessicaShull1928]

Very interesting, thank you

[@augustreigns9716]

you are the greatest history guy, ....in the entire history, .............of history guys. (.......never stop....)

[@robertpotthast9540]

Incredible story... Thank you so much!

[@brucefisher4025]

Pretty accurate....but.... her name was HEASTER, not Hester.... pronounced HEE-ster... Zona HEE-ster Shue... I live beside that sign in Sam Black Church, West Virginia although her grave is about two miles away at the bottom of Little Sewell Mountain... and have known the descendants of the Heasters all my life... the old homestead where it happened is still standing..

[@coleweede1953]

That's really cool thank you for sharing

[@brucehutcheson5371]

Bruce Fisher, My brother rented an old farm house at the bottom of little Sewell Mountain (Grassy Bottoms) back in 1977 that both myself and my brother stayed at separately alone and both of us experienced crazy loud sounds at night in the empty house. Neither of us believed in ghosts. Neither of us had discussed our experiences until months later. My brother was told the local rumor was it was the original farm family's son who had fallen from the apple tree in the front yard and was killed by hitting his head on one of the common limestone rocks under the tree. He was told he was a large boy and the sounds I heard that night were like the sounds of a large person stomping around in the house. I inspected every room and even under this old wood frame house and can assure you that it was empty. I have never been able to explain it.

[@alansolocinski5172]

are you a ghost? lol. Nice clarification!

[@diannameade495]

My parents are from around this region. My father was born on Sewell mountain.

[@brucehutcheson5371]

@@diannameade495 My dad grew up just outside Lewisburg on a dairy farm that would have been off of Route 60 just before reaching town. Great memories of Greenbrier river. My ancestors go back to 1790's in that area.

[@jenniferholden9397]

We have these bunkers all around the uk. My brother was a cop, he was given directions in the event a nuclear attack to stand at a certain point to direct the mayor and councillors to the bunker, whilst he was to stay outside and die! I asked what would you really do? He said he would go home, get his wife, kids and neighbors and go to the bunker, as they would be more use in a post nuclear attack, they were Drs nurses, doers and makers, what good s a bunch of politicians that got us into this mess. Good thinking bro.

[@mattedison1873]

Thanks so much for taking the leap of faith and following your passion for forgotten history. We are all the beneficiaries. Your history stories/lessons are fantastic. Please keep them coming.

[@wrightflyer7855]

Thank you for composing another in a long line of professionally dramatic slices of history. You are very much appreciated!

[@domdipyatic3997]

Fascinating story. I used to drive to West Virginia to go trout fishing when I lived in south western Pennsylvania. Beautiful mountains and scenery.

[@kimberlypatton1810]

I do love your channel so much ! This was a very unusual and interesting tale,as usual presented with such high professionalism and quality!

[@Traderjoe]

Shoe was so scared that he couldn’t tie his shoe!

[@ZenZaBill]

HA -- I heard it in the story, but somehow did not connect the phonetics until I read your comment!

[@scythelord]

Well, he wasn't angry. If he were, Shoe would have been "fit to be tied."

[@hiccurps]

scythelord lmao

[@chrisforsyth8323]

Trout Shoes are slippery, that way...

[@johnkelley9877]

Another great piece of history! Thanks for sharing this.

[@laserbeam002]

Without a doubt one of the best channels on KZbin. Thank you for posting.

[@patrickols]

Interesting ghost story, he would have gotten away with if it wasn't for those meddling kids ;-)

[@hiccurps]

Scooby Dooby Doooo

[@raquellofstedt9713]

Dag nab it!

[@robinhoodstfrancis]

"scooby doo" That praying mother of hers, and......ghoooost?!!!!!! God says, "Yeah, the Devil works for me anyway, hahaha."

[@achillebelanger9546]

Scooby Doodied Shoe

[@BX138]

Zoiks!!!

[@nurse2long]

I’ve read about this before but the details you added made the story so much more enjoyable. Thank you.

[@thomasjforgey1359]

Not the first time I have heard this story, but this one by far has been the best telling of it...good job!

[@Annur375]

Absolutely fantastic history!

[@guesswho111]

Good to hear that the *History Guy* has not forgotten about Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Mountain Moma Only in WV would the testimony of a ghost allow to be admitted in to evidence There is no other place on earth as beautiful as WV

[@Pattilapeep]

So glad I came upon this channel!! I will be watching from now on. Very interesting and presented in just the right manner. Cheers to you. Pat

[@geraldlafitte8313]

I love your stories on the history channel.

[@judybest6991]

This is the first time I've seen your show and I will keep on watching thank you for the history

[@ThatBobGuy850]

Wow, fascinating as always, HG! And it brings to light an important issue: There are those who believe in spirituality, that this physical life isn't "all there is" and that there is an afterlife. It's certainly rare that spirits give such detailed (and accurate!) insights from the other side, but even the biggest skeptic would have to agree that the evidence here is compelling. Unless...unless Zona's mom was the one who... Nah, what mother could kill her own child? I love this channel!

[@cassafrasscubby460]

I love your channel, your presentations bring history to life. This particular bit made me so angry it was hard to sleep, though this is the point of story-telling, making people think and consider parallels in the present to avoid the same mistakes. Thank you for taking the time to put these videos together.

[@bret9741]

Thanks for another wonderful piece of history.

[@donc9751]

That's truly an amazing bit of history I had never heard about! Very well told as are all of your cases of history! Even in this day and age, it's still amazingly compelling.

[@drgwhatsthetruth3783]

Your story of how West Virginia became a state was in itself interesting.

[@helencampbell2248]

My ancestors, lived in the area. One was named Greenbrier Billy Davis. His brothers name was Billy Blue head.

[@cindyb8775]

Loved this! I live in WV and grew up hearing this story.

[@billthetraveler51]

Wow! Great defense work! LOL. You put up tons of videos that I wonder how this could be interesting. Once again it is fascinating history. Thank you again.

[@knutdergroe9757]

Growing up with so many family from Appalachia this story is not that surprising to me. The drama of life in those mountains has a different rhythm.

[@robertkeefer7791]

Fascinating piece of American crime history.

[@feleciagrasty3880]

I am from White Sulphur Springs WVa. I lived very close to the Greenbrier Hotel. My parents worked there. My dad still lives there.

[@Warlock15th]

You are a great story teller! Your videos are thoroughly entertaining! Perfect video for the beginning of October, please keep them coming!

[@baerster]

I really enjoy your videos - you have a flair for presenting stories clearly and in a way that keeps me listening. Can you share about how you make your videos - how long does it take to make each one? Do you write a script for each one, or do you talk from memory?

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Filming takes about two hours. Processing (largely collecting the media) another two to four. Research time depends on the topic. I do script the episodes, but all pieces done to camera are done from memory- no cue cards or teleprompter. I write most scripts, but my wife also authors some episodes.

[@baerster]

Thank you! I'm impressed that you get these done so fast. I'm an instructional designer by trade (been doing it for 20+ years), and I've also designed courses in history (working with people who have deep knowledge of the subject matter) and I think what you do is fantastic and to me it looks like you have a lot of experience in writing and teaching, among other things. I usually don't get to do fun and creative videos at work, and I've been dreaming for years about making videos and animations, putting then on KZbin, and seeing if I get an audience. So I admire very much that you have gone ahead and just done it. I have another question which of course you don't have to answer - how do you fit video creation into all the other things you have to do in your life, such as work and marriage and kids, etc.? Any advice? Oh, and I love history too! -vTom

[@JessicaShull1928]

@@TheHistoryGuyChannel Thank you both then

[@champagne.future5248]

I lost it at the part about dropping a brick on his wife’s head. Hmm, that’s not suspicious at all...

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

I'm happy this popped up in my feed so close to Halloween! 🎃

[@SgtMjr]

Speaking of WV. How about a History Guy episode on The Matewan Massacre?

[@shannonbostic2819]

I live right down the road from her resting place. Shes a badass

[@franklinhayes3206]

Thanks for another good history lesson about my state, WV! I’ve mentioned it before but something on the WV mine war that happened on Blair mnt , Logan county would be great. It’s not taught in our schools.

[@ikreer9777]

Or the tragedy of the Hawk's Nest Tunnel. I didn't learn about that until in college in a different state.

[@nottiification]

You should do a video about the London Bridge.... not the modern one thats always falling down for fair ladies... but the medieval one that had shops and houses on it.

[@fredworthmn]

Is that the one which was moved to Lake Havasu AZ USA or an earlier one?

[@shawngilliland243]

@fredworthmn - I believe that nottification is referring to an even earlier bridge.

[@bretthess6376]

@@fredworthmn An earlier one. I believe the one in Lake Havasu is the bridge which replaced the one which burned in the Great Fire of 1666.

[@fredworthmn]

@@bretthess6376

[@gregdavis19]

I enjoy everything you post. Thank you.

[@michellewerries7433]

I really enjoy your vids. I love history, and I really adore odd little bits that are forgotten by main-line history narratives.

[@elvisjohnson1208]

WOW! It's show love even goes beyond death.

[@runlarryrun77]

Great channel. I love your presentation style & your exhaustive research. Impressive.

[@Genesis1313]

Thank goodness that Dr. Ford didn't know of this story. Another winner for the History Guy and for his growing subscribers.

[@royriley6282]

Really great episode.

[@johnwesley8327]

Great video. It is October so, more ghostly history would be appreciated.

[@specialed1444]

I love West Virginia. My dad lives in Wellsburg West Virginia and I am gonna be moving out there. Something I suggest you look into is is the Great Nine Partners Patent. My Ancestor Henry Filkin was part of it.

[@stone1andonly]

Another well-done clip, but you made a small mistake in stating the name of the town in which The Greenbrier Resort resides - it is White Sulphur Springs, WV. My grandmother and her twin sister worked there at various times in their lives. My uncle knew some of the people who worked on the bunker in the resort, it was common knowledge in the community and sort of an open secret. The case of Zona Shue is indeed history that deserves to be remembered, as it is a rare case in legal history where the testimony of a ghost was admitted.

[@petrellaintuitiveinsights]

Thank you for sharing

[@armandocarrillo7616]

I love history and so glad to come across your channel .keep up^^ the good work!

[@CORNandCATTLE]

I love this history dude!

[@SBF96]

Great Videos as usual. Quite ironic that you posted this, because the video game Fallout 76 is coming out next month and it takes place in West Virginia and The Greenbrier is one of the locations that you can visit. They are going to add a lot of WV lore to the game, so it should be interesting.

[@kellytolliver2390]

As someone from West Virginia this was cool to hear

[@stevegardner9258]

Subscribers climbing steadily; good on you!

[@candicesantillo1552]

New subscriberAppreciating your work

[@ImTheDaveman]

Wow! I know there are contemporary events where people had visions of murders, which turned out true, but this is the first of this kind from the near distant past. Are there any more similar real historical events? If so, please bring us the tale.

[@VickieV1333]

Fascinating story! Thank you.

[@stevengrotte2987]

As always.....THANK YOU.

[@stoneyll]

Another great video... My take is that the mother knew more than she was willing to say in public.. The 'ghost' story is just a ruse to get the authorities to take action..(purely speculation) but hey, it was the late 1800's

[@RCAvhstape]

I was thinking the same thing. Something shady went on behind the scenes here, even if the guy probably did murder his wife.

[@kurtb8474]

That's a more logical explanation. If ghosts of murder victims were able to testify as to who murdered them, a lot of cases would be solved. Personally, I don't believe in ghosts.

[@jamesbehrje4279]

it could of been in her subconscious. the thoughts of what she felt about him and her daughters relationship. she Obviously was uneasy about the husband. it's very possible she had a dream about something she subconsiously feared. i had similar dreams involving my house being raided by police. the incidents involving my house we're accompanied by dreams of police raiding my house less then a week before. its crazy what the human mind is capable of. its like a built in warning system to protect you from harm.

[@samyscookies3640]

James Behrje did your house get raided by the police?

[@jamesbehrje4279]

@@samyscookies3640 yes. it was crazy because it happened just like in my dream. before that i never had any dreams about police or anything. i knew my house was being watched just because of all the stuff that was going on, but for a while the activity at my house cooled down. Then i had the dream. the police raided my house a few days later. no one was arrested or anything and the police failed to find anything the warrent to search was for. I think my life at the time was in a tailspin and the dream of the police was part of my subconscious feelings of the situation in my life. Sure enough my dreams had been pretty accurate at forecasting my actual life in the near future after the dreams. its too bad i couldn't take action on what i knew from my dreams.

[@myesenc]

As a West Virginian I have never heard this story, I live in Wheeling and have visited the prison In Moundsville, thanks for sharing

[@drdeesnutts48]

Honestly the Mother's story raises some suspicions from me, hearing her story then seeing it confirmed by the autospy if I were investigating I'd be looking into the mother, seems like she could potentially had been trying to frame him.

[@KristianWontroba]

Amazing video! I'll have to visit the grave site when I visit family next! :)

[@LostShipMate]

John Denver and Moth-man are the only things that come to mind when I think of west Virginia. Now I can add Ghosts.

[@ikreer9777]

Look up Wizard Clip for another good WV ghost story.

[@faysalabdullah1519]

I may suggest to make a video on 'Operation Mincemeat" or about SOE agents in occupied France, specially women agents, who disguised as situation demanded such as a farmer's wife etc.

[@havokvladimirovichstalinov]

Hello! If you haven't already, could you do a video on the 1916 Bloody Sunday in Ireland? I had good friend of mine back in high school who was related to Joseph Plunkett who was one of the leaders

[@iqbalzaidi353]

Beautiful narration Thanks for sharing

[@davedawe63]

Fascinating tale.

[@hahahahahahahahahahahahaha7725]

I worked at this hotel and have been to the subterranean areas of the property.. lots of old pics there too.

[@imbwildrd3693]

@The History Guy Would you be able to do a video about Dudleytown, CT? From the stories I've heard, Dudleytown was a twice failed town with stories of residents exhibiting "crazy" behavior, and after it's final abandonment it was said that the area was haunted and that if you went into the woods where the town used to be, a spirit would follow you out. I always thought it was a neat New England tale, but how much is real? Thanks :)

[@davidhayes4814]

I rather like these. “Today I found out” follows a similar style of presentation. They are addictive, in a good way. Thankyou.

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@carlstenger5893]

Wow! What a fascinating story. Thanks so much.

[@TheSuperDerp]

It doesn't matter if she died of a broken neck or a heart attack, or whether her husband was guilty or not. The testimony of a 'ghost' should've been enough to have the case dismissed and Zona's mother charged for wasting police time.

[@mw-shadows]

Hey History Guy! Long time fan here- got a question: Given the weight of written history on the subject, what are your thoughts on the paranormal?

[@colinp2238]

They're all ghosts now.

[@lexington476]

Show idea, how about a rundown on some or all the hats and the bugle on your wall?

[@bobg1685]

Yes! Very good, as always.

[@ohmeowzer1]

Thank you love your videos

[@silascochran9705]

Spooky history good one history guy👍🇺🇸📚

[@johntabler349]

Nice to see my home state getting a nod crazy story

[@elizabethcherry920]

I am a witch and I am able to speak to the dead. There is 2 deaths right now that I know the true stories on the deaths but in this day the court will not take ghost stories as evidence. I can't believe that they back then would take a ghost story as evidence, this is an awesome video and I think the video as some sort of proof that what I know could be evidence, because the 2 I talk to wants justification.

[@teenieneenie630]

Fascinating, as always!

[@Papershields001]

Don’t forget, Raven Rock, Mount Weather, and Mount Pony. I live in a rural area outside of DC and there are subtle continuity of government installations all over the place out here.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Fair point.

[@leisastalnaker3790]

The Greenbrier Resort is in White Sulfur Springs.

[@garyshaffer5370]

Thank you.