The Empty Tomb of an Angry Riverboat Captain Sits Abandoned in Indiana Woods
An old tomb overlooks the Ohio River, and the legend behind this empty grave is quite eerie.
WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.
Unique Hoosier Graves
When someone passes away and you're walking through a cemetery and see their grave, typically the only thing you know about them is their name and a couple of dates. However, throughout the years we've seen some people who make sure their grave (or their loved ones' grave) stands out. Like the story of the Indiana woman who loved her Cadillac so much, that she was buried in it. Then there are the heartwrenching stories of the dollhouse graves, which show that a parent's love has no end. Then, there's this story about a riverboat captain who was so obsessed with the river, that he wanted his final resting place to be overlooking the mighty Ohio River.
Sitting Abandoned in the Woods is the Former Tomb of Captain McHarry
Located in the woods of southern Indiana is the abandoned tomb of a riverboat captain. Captain Francis McHarry was born in 1805 and passed away in 1857. During his life, he built a vault along a hillside overlooking the Ohio River so that one day, he'd still be near the river when he was laid to rest.
According to an article on Historic Photos, Captain McHarry grew very angry and hostile as the steamboat trade grew, closing in on his business. Because of this, he had a request, to always overlook the Ohio River, even in death.
The vault he built has a small window in it looking out over the river. It's said that Captain McHarry was buried standing up so he could look out the window and keep an eye on the boats on the Ohio, or possibly even curse them.
Historic Photos had this to say about the vault along the river:
Before his death in 1857, the captain built a burial vault on the river. This is also when McHarry’s "anger" achieved legendary status. The tomb in which he was laid to rest was to be vertical. Some say it was so that McHarry could look out over his beloved Ohio River. Others say is was done so the captain could curse the passing riverboats as well as the bridges crossing the river.
The Vault Now Sits Empty
The vault that once housed Captain McHarry's body, is empty now. After being placed in the vault for some time, his remains were later moved to Cave Hill Cemetery to be interred with his wife.
Notorious Ohio Riverboat Captain. He had a mutual dislike for his competitors. He built a large family Vault along the steep banks of the River across from Louisville, and was interred there standing up, so he could look out the porthole of the vault and curse his river rivals.
It's said that boats passing by will sound their horn as a way to pay tribute to Captain McHarry, or as a way to ward off his curse.
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Gallery Credit: Stacker