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The Dead Children's Playground · The Grim: Haunted Cemeteries & Graveyard Tales

• 0:15
  Good morning and welcome to the grim.
• 0:17
  I'm your host, Kristin, on today's episode, we'll be opening the gate and entering maple hill cemetery located in Huntsville, Alabama.
• 0:25
  So grab your favorite mug cozy up and let's take a dig into history.
• 0:30
  It's currently September in new England, meaning the month we all wish for crisp October mornings, but we still have the residual heat of summer haunting us.
• 0:40
  But what better way to bring us closer to fall, then strolling the grounds of a cemetery named maple hill.
• 0:46
  Even if the temperature doesn't have us feeling the change of season just yet.
• 0:51
  The name share.
• 0:52
  Does.
• 0:53
  Maple hill cemetery is the oldest and largest cemetery in Huntsville, Alabama.
• 0:58
  That was founded on two acres of land around the year, 1822.
• 1:03
  It's not the cemetery dates back further first as a private cemetery on the Pope plantation.
• 1:09
  Then becoming public later on records, however, are difficult to find and documentation back in the day, wasn't the best.
• 1:17
  But the two acres were sold to the city of Huntsville by Leroy Pope in 1822.
• 1:22
  This a certain, but all of this grave marker found on the grounds, still existing dates back to September 17th, 1824, Mary Francis Atwood, an infant who sadly passed away.
• 1:36
  Money headstones.
• 1:37
  And the oldest section surrounding Atwoods should be around the same timeframe, but they're missing their headstones lost at time.
• 1:44
  Maple hill cemetery is home to over 80,000 souls, laid to rest.
• 1:49
  And now in the present has over 100 acres of sprawling beautiful land.
• 1:54
  It's thought the cemetery was expanded around 1849.
• 1:58
  And this also included the Pope's private cemetery during this expansion.
• 2:03
  Grey's and the Pope's pot.
• 2:04
  Can we found dating back to the 1820s and then around 1844.
• 2:09
  Speculation that the graves might have been disinterred to their current location has been suspected.
• 2:15
  But many believe this was their original burial pot.
• 2:19
  One unique defining factor of maple hill.
• 2:22
  Is it size?
• 2:23
  You could spend hours strolling through the grounds and still not see everything.
• 2:27
  Today the cemetery is impeccably maintained, and this has showcased when touring the grounds.
• 2:33
  Unlike some cemeteries though, Huntsville residents have fully embraced its history.
• 2:38
  Just like many other burial grounds, maple hill over the years saw damage and was becoming dilapidated from time and weather.
• 2:46
  In 1984, a group of Huntsville residents decided to restore and preserve the grounds, forming the Huntsville pilgrims association.
• 2:55
  Yeah, restoring the grounds didn't seem to be enough and justly.
• 2:59
  So with all the history, maple Hills residents per token, incorporating maple hill cemetery every year, the town offers in October a cemetery tour, unlike any other.
• 3:12
  Showcasing around 58 of its famous residents and historical figures, actors.
• 3:17
  Re-enact those who have passed on for those to learn about their history in the present.
• 3:23
  It's a day.
• 3:23
  The cemetery is honored along with this residence.
• 3:26
  Scavenger hunts for kids, photo booths and other presentations take place.
• 3:31
  Visitors can come and go as they please during the day and learn about the town's residents as much, or as little as they please.
• 3:39
  The event is free, but donations are greatly appreciated.
• 3:43
  It gives you unique appeal to visitors to enter the ground who normally wouldn't have a reason to do so, too.
• 3:49
  So many times learning about history and books makes it feel removed to a decree from our lives.
• 3:54
  When most of the time it's right outside our door.
• 3:58
  Huntsville's approach and acknowledgement that maple hill cemetery has much to offer its residents outside of a burial ground is something I wish other cities would embrace.
• 4:09
  The tourists started in the 1990s by.
• 4:11
  the Huntsville pilgrims association to help retell the stories of its influential residents during the tour actor's near their characters, grave sites, perform brief monologues, retelling their tails.
• 4:24
  And we're costumes similar to how their character would have dressed.
• 4:28
  Each is accurately portrayed with extensive research done by the actor.
• 4:33
  But who are the famous residents of maple hill?
• 4:36
  400 Alabama's governor's call maple hill their final resting place.
• 4:41
  One being Thomas bib, Alabama, second governor to serve the state.
• 4:45
  Boobs road to the governor's office.
• 4:47
  Wasn't the normal tail.
• 4:49
  However, his brother Willingham bib was Alabama's first governor, but tragically died while in office, after falling off his horse.
• 4:57
  Andrew Doina his Senate aerial office.
• 5:00
  And by the state's constitution filled his brother's seat.
• 5:03
  Serving from 1820 to 1821, but never sought re-election.
• 5:09
  He did, however later, serve in the Alabama house of representatives.
• 5:13
  Andrew passed away in 1839 in mobile, Alabama, but was buried in maple hill.
• 5:20
  Governor Clemett Comber.
• 5:21
  Clay is also within maple hill.
• 5:24
  Clay's turnout.
• 5:25
  Governor was marked by the Creek war of 1836, also known as the second Creek war or the Creek Alabama uprising.
• 5:34
  This was the result from the treaty of Washington side at 1826.
• 5:39
  Which if you're not familiar with the treaty of Washington, you should be.
• 5:43
  And I highly suggest a good Google session if you're not this time reign in America's history and to be Frank and honest, our entire establishment of the country, we continuously robbed the native Americans of their land.
• 5:57
  And set of however, feeling morally bad about it and admitting we stole and committed ethnic cleansing.
• 6:03
  We justified our actions by the way of treaties.
• 6:06
  One being the treaty of Washington.
• 6:08
  During governor Clay's term, the state of Alabama was an extreme turmoil of how this treaty was agreed to and thought invalid from the native Americans due to misrepresentation from the tribes.
• 6:21
  Clay, regardless of how he felt about the tradies had the honor of executing their actions.
• 6:26
  Removing the native Americans from their land, whether they agree to it or not.
• 6:31
  Which on surprisingly lent a war.
• 6:34
  Clay was assisted.
• 6:36
  And these actions by the United States army who removed the native Americans from the Southeastern Alabama region.
• 6:43
  By the agreement of another treaty in 1832 called the treaty of Kasita simply put, we kept proposing treaty after treaty, till the Indians had no more land to bargain with and removed to the Indian territory at the time.
• 6:58
  Now known as modern day, Oklahoma west of the Mississippi.
• 7:02
  This removal, we aptly called the trail of tears, but it was more of an ethnic cleansing of great numbers.
• 7:09
  For many of the Indians would never make it to the territory or if they did other tribes who were removed previously from other regions of say like the east coast, weren't welcoming to them with open arms, but instead of fight, this was an absolute disaster and downright unethical in any terms.
• 7:29
  Clay then also saw the panic of 1837 take place, which was a financial crisis conjured by the speculation of a fever.
• 7:39
  This was similar to the yellow fever epidemic we covered in last week's episode, but the speculation was not an actual academic just yet.
• 7:48
  The worry of what my calm caused a run on the bank of the state of Alabama.
• 7:52
  And then led to a financial crisis.
• 7:55
  For clay, if his actions in history weren't damning enough in history books, he was also during his lifetime.
• 8:01
  A slaveholder when he first arrived in Huntsville, he was said to have only one slave.
• 8:07
  But by 1860 had an astounding 84.
• 8:11
  Clay after his term of governor went on to serve the United States Senate for Alabama from 1837 to 1841.
• 8:19
  He passed away from natural causes in 18 66, 1 year after this of a war.
• 8:25
  Clean, his wife are buried next to each other in maple hill cemetery.
• 8:29
  The third governor buried and maple hill is Rubin Chapman.
• 8:33
  Chapman doesn't have a super exciting term of governor.
• 8:36
  Yeah.
• 8:37
  His relationship with French ambassador Louis Adelphia in me for a year competent court had a lot of people talking during his day.
• 8:46
  For you was know to have offended many us congressmen during his time in the states, including Chapman by unknown or marks.
• 8:54
  Enough.
• 8:54
  So that Chapman along with Virginia Congressman George w Hopkin challenged the French men to duel, but he cowered from the fight.
• 9:03
  The next congressmen outrage, a farrier also was her in Virginia was Congressman Lewis.
• 9:08
  Stan rod.
• 9:10
  Eventually in 18 46, 4 years remarks escalated to the point where president James K.
• 9:16
  Polk finally had to request the French government to send Fourier home.
• 9:21
  Chapman passed away on May 17th, 1882 in Huntsville, Alabama.
• 9:27
  Our final governor inside maple hill is Robert a patent.
• 9:31
  He served Alabama from 1865 to 1868.
• 9:36
  Patton's timely entrance to politics was one beginning right before the civil war.
• 9:41
  In the wake party, a party that wasn't strong in the states to begin with and eventually dying out.
• 9:47
  After 1854.
• 9:49
  This wasn't the end of pattern though.
• 9:51
  Beyond party politics, he survived becoming a delegate to the 1860 democratic national convention in Charleston, South Carolina.
• 10:00
  This would be disastrous and also for shadow the greater loss in the national election against Abraham Lincoln.
• 10:07
  And the Republicans patent, however, Southern didn't agree with a succession of the south speaking against it originally, but then supported the war effort and served as commissioner in the Confederate government.
• 10:21
  Even as a commissioner, he saw the loss of his two own sons during the war and his plantation damaged by us soldiers.
• 10:30
  Showing no one in the war went away on touched.
• 10:33
  After taking office has administration cooperated to provide emergency aid, to freed men.
• 10:39
  And the poor Caucasians affected by the war.
• 10:42
  This however would be overshadowed by his administration.
• 10:46
  Also oppose takes tending civil or political rights to Freedman, including voting rights.
• 10:52
  Pattern first and foremost, most important agenda in his office was on rebuilding Alabama after the civil war.
• 11:00
  And he did just that he appealed against the federal cotton tax provided financial support for public schools.
• 11:07
  And created the Alabama insane hospital at Tuscaloosa.
• 11:12
  After serving.
• 11:13
  He also saw to the rebuilding of the state becoming involved in several commercial ventures to establish and build railroads.
• 11:21
  Had Ms.
• 11:21
  Also a trustee and several school boards and also helped rebuild the university of Alabama after it was burned down during the war.
• 11:30
  He passed away on February 28th in 1885.
• 11:34
  Other than states officials, many senators and representatives also call maple hill home.
• 11:41
  And there's also a lengthy list of military figures inside.
• 11:45
  From the revolutionary war to world war two people hill isn't lacking on any part of historical personnel at all.
• 11:52
  In fact, it's rather impressive.
• 11:55
  Five United States senators, 10 United States representatives, six Confederate leaders, six military leaders, 19 rocket team members who helped America engineer the rocket into space.
• 12:08
  One suffragette and one base power player, or just a few of its residents.
• 12:13
  One odd site during the cemetery tour in october, you'll find on the grounds.
• 12:18
  Wandering around is an actor portrayal of general, Samuel H.
• 12:22
  Moore and his Jersey cow, Billy flag.
• 12:25
  Lily has a crowd favorite and might not be buried at maple hill, but her owner general Samuel H.
• 12:31
  Moore is she was a world famous cow that was entered in the Chicago.
• 12:35
  World's fair.
• 12:36
  After producing 11,339 pounds of milk.
• 12:40
  And 1047 pounds of butter in just 1892, an actor portrays more while strolling the grounds with his beloved cow every year.
• 12:51
  Maple Hills location.
• 12:53
  Also aptly put it in the center of a war, torn America at one time.
• 12:58
  Buried in his section and the north side of the cemetery sits 187 unknown graves, all Confederate soldiers.
• 13:07
  Most of the soldiers died early on from accidents during training or diseases and not from metal.
• 13:13
  Which is why all 187 are labeled as unknown.
• 13:18
  If you're familiar with maple hill Orienta, hauntings, you know, I have avoided it's notorious nickname.
• 13:24
  And the reason why many enter its gates, the cemetery is more well-known as the dead children's playground in the paranormal community, due to the playground within and its mysterious happenings.
• 13:36
  Of course a playground wasn't just built inside, but in a rather unique way became part of maple hill.
• 13:43
  And 2007, the cemetery completely ran out of space.
• 13:48
  Attempting to enlarge the grounds.
• 13:50
  Once again, as they did in the past, the city decided to obtain a local playground right next door.
• 13:56
  This, of course wasn't well liked by the town's residents, but eventually the cemetery added the playground into its acreage.
• 14:05
  Locals nicknamed the playground, the dead children's playground after some Prenay Grapey.
• 14:10
  incidence of swings, moving on their own.
• 14:12
  Some hearing laughter and children calling out to them, orbs and apparitions of children appearing.
• 14:20
  Maple hill not only saw its residents through wars, but also the flu epidemic of 1918.
• 14:26
  Also known as the Spanish flu, which killed around 50 million people worldwide.
• 14:32
  Alabama was no exception.
• 14:34
  Seeing many of his residents taken from it's flu with many being children.
• 14:39
  Some say the children are buried right under the playground.
• 14:42
  And it's their spirits who come out to play every night between 10:00 PM and 3:00 AM.
• 14:48
  Rumors of children also in the 1960s that were abducted in the area were found in the playground that might add intrigue to who might be haunting the grounds.
• 14:58
  But it's unclear.
• 15:00
  Children are the only ones visitors see though.
• 15:03
  Near the cemetery office and man, and a Confederate army uniform thought to be Colonel William Hudley, Kemi found wandering around.
• 15:12
  Many times he seen with an older man, some say to his father, he never speaks to visitors, but nodding and never bothering anyone.
• 15:21
  Phillip Flanagan.
• 15:22
  Second husband of the black widow of Hazel green is rumor to be roaming the Northwest corner of maple hill with one large problem.
• 15:32
  He doesn't seem to understand he's passed on from the living.
• 15:36
  Glenigan is thought to have been one of Elizabeth Dale Gibbons Flanagan Jeffrey's high brown ruined six husbands that she murdered in cold blood, which understandably might be where his confusion comes from.
• 15:50
  Love's not being alive.
• 15:52
  Harmless, but lost to time core Flanagan.
• 15:55
  Hopefully one day we'll find his way, but for now continues to wander maple hill.
• 16:01
  Tragic tales of young love lost seemed to also be the making of great hauntings.
• 16:07
  We've already gone over really a bibs tragic tale, but not of his bribes.
• 16:11
  William was set to Mary Mary chamber.
• 16:14
  Isn't 1835, but somehow on the day of their wedding, she was poisoned.
• 16:19
  Mary servant accidentally poisoned poor Mary who remained alive for three more months, but ended up passing away at just the age of 19.
• 16:29
  William bill maple Hill's first smiled Liam in Mary's honor, but also included her favorite rocking chair.
• 16:36
  It's rumored.
• 16:37
  She was buried in her per region, wedding dress while sitting upright in her rocking chair, some visitors claim, you can hear Mary rocking her chair outside the mausoleum.
• 16:48
  Her brother-in-law Thomas has also said to haunt his tune nearby as well, but less claims and stories exist.
• 16:55
  Maple hill cemetery size story is hauntings and history definitely make its grounds worthy to visit any time of year.
• 17:03
  Fall, especially as the city showcases as historical significance and gives visitors every reason to return again each year.
• 17:12
  It's hauntingly, beautiful grounds, even without those departed, grieving about make a great mid day stroll for the entire family.
• 17:19
  So, if you find yourself in the south looking for a haunting or a happening, might we suggest maple hill cemetery this fall in October.
• 17:28
  The grave guide for maple hill cemetery was a caramel macchiato from angels island.
• 17:33
  For more honorary grinds in the area, please visit the-graham.com for now.
• 17:39
  We're closing the gate I've maple hill cemetery.
• 17:41
  We hope you enjoyed our dig into history.
• 17:44
  If you did subscribe today or leave us a review wherever we're haunting.
• 17:48
  Their podcast queue and join us next time when we opened the gate.
• 17:52
  On the grim.