Ghosts come alive

0

The annual Ghost Walk sponsored by the Highland County Historical Society and the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society will return to the Hillsboro Cemetery on Thursday, Aug. 25.

The event is free to the public and starts at 6 p.m. near the cemetery chapel.

The story of six former local residents who are buried in the cemetery will be told by actors who are usually dressed in period costumes of the people they are portraying.

“There’s a lot of people buried in the Hillsboro Cemetery that had a lot to do with the founding of Hillsboro and Highland County and were influential at the state and federal levels,” said Jean Wallis, a historical society member who helps organize the event. “That’s why we do the walks, to educate the people about what these people accomplished.”

Following is a brief introduction to each of “ghosts” that will be portrayed:

• John Mills Barrere (1800 to 1880) – An adjutant with the 60th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he was captured in 1862 at Harper’s Ferry, Va., where he lost an arm. He also lost three sons in the Civil War. He later became a lawyer. He will be portrayed by Steve Roush.

• George Ambrose (1803 to 1880) – A brickmaker, he made the bricks for the Hillsboro Methodist Church in 1853, as well as the bricks for many other buildings in Hillsboro. He will be portrayed by Dwight Crum.

• William Scott (1810 to 1886) – A lawyer, he was also engaged in brokering and money lending. He built the historic Scott House on West Main Street in Hillsboro. He will be portrayed by Denny Kirk.

• Mary Collins (1845 to 1853) – Just 8 years old when she passed away, she was the daughter of William O. Collins and Catherine (Weaver) Collins. During the Civil War her father fought Indians out west, and Casper, Wyo. is named for her brother, Caspar, who was massacred by Indians near the town named after him. Mary will be portrayed by 13-year-old Anne Marie Throckmorton.

• David Newton and Jane (Nisley) McBride – Six volumes of Highland County records were published by the McBrides. In their words, the records were published, “To perpetuate the names of the pioneers of the county and to aid individuals to trace their genealogy.” They will be portrayed by Mel Haines and Jane Stowers.

Information for this article was provided by Jean Wallis.

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522 or on Twitter @13gillilandj.

Former Highland County Juvenile Court Judge Richard Davis portrays a character during a past Ghost Walk at the Hillsboro Cemetery.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/08/web1_Ghost-walk-pic-1.jpgFormer Highland County Juvenile Court Judge Richard Davis portrays a character during a past Ghost Walk at the Hillsboro Cemetery.
Annual walk Aug. 25 at Hillsboro Cemetery

By Jeff Gilliland

[email protected]

No posts to display